Oct 04, 2016
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the largest trade association for the $39 billion worldwide attractions industry, will relocate its global headquarters office to Orlando in 2017.
In addition, plans to host its annual conference and trade show, the IAAPA Attractions Expo, in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center through 2030.
The move from Alexandria, Va., and convention contract extension are contingent upon support from the state of Florida and Orange County, Fla.
The IAAPA Board of Directors approved the relocation and convention agreement… more
Oct 04, 2016
RAI Amsterdam, owners and producers of METSTRADE (The Marine Equipment Trade Show), has purchased a 50-percent stake in the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference from WoodenBoat Publications Inc., publisher of Professional BoatBuilder magazine.
The announcement was made at the IBEX show, which currently is being held in Tampa, Fla.
Starting Oct. 7, RAI Amsterdam will partner with the National Marine Manufacturers Association to produce future IBEX events.
"Working alongside Professional BoatBuilder we have made IBEX the best marine trade event in North America.… more
Oct 03, 2016
The trade show community was tasked to “Show Some Love” for outstanding show managers with a nomination for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Award, and the five honorees have been chosen.
This year’s SMOTY Awards will be presented Oct. 29 in Atlantic City at the TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) to the following outstanding show managers.
2016 Honorees
Tier I – 1 to 150 booths
Leslie Wiernik, Executive Director, National Association of Subrogation Professionals
Charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Tier II – 151 to 300 booths
David Heilbrunn, Show Manager, … more
Oct 01, 2016
As CEO of Fern, Aaron Bludworth oversees all executive management of the company and its subsidiary companies. Bludworth’s career in the exposition industry began in 1992 with Modern Display, where he filled numerous executive positions during 15 years. He also was briefly an executive with GES, where he managed the National Corporate Events Group and oversaw Las Vegas trade show sales. Bludworth is very active in the exhibition industry; he currently is chairman of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) and a past president and board member of the Exhibition Services and… more
Sep 29, 2016
MIS Training Institute, a leader in information security and audit training, and nGage Events, the leader in hosted model events, have announced the Security Leadership Exchange, which will be held Sept. 24-26 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Security Leadership Exchange is an invitation-only, strategic business forum that gathers Chief Information Security Officers (CISO)s and security industry leaders to address the unique needs of CISOs as integral members of the C-suite.
“The role of a CISO can be a thankless task,’” said Tony Keefe, president and CEO, MISTI. “… more
Sep 29, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
This week, the world’s largest mining equipment, products and services exhibition was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Sponsored by the National Mining Association (NMA), MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2016 covered more than 840,000 net square feet, showcasing the latest mining equipment and technology from 1,900-plus exhibitors around the world.
Held every four years, MINExpo this year welcomed more than 44,000 attendees from 130 countries to the event. Several well-known figures including Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Indy 500 Champion Helio Castroneves, who stopped by… more
Sep 28, 2016
Rachel Wimberly
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), an association for the food retail industry, has decided to shift its events strategy and cancel its annual trade show – FMI Connect.
The show was scheduled to run next June at Chicago’s McCormick Place and was held this past June along with United Fresh, Global Cold Chain Expo and the International Floriculture Expo.
Nearly 6,500 attendees and 491 exhibiting companies took part in FMI Connect in June 2016.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement to its members today announcing the association’s refocused… more
Sep 27, 2016
Marketplace Events continues to expand its fast-growing portfolio, most recently with a few more shows in Indiana and Virginia.
The company bought two shows in Indianapolis, Ind., and three home shows in Richmond, Va., bringing its portfolio to 51 shows including 47 consumer home shows and four holiday shows.
The company purchased the Indiana Flower & Patio Show, which began in 1958, along with the 67-year-old Christmas Gift & Hobby Show, from HSI Show Productions of Indianapolis.
Both shows run at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where Marketplace Events already runs the… more
Sep 26, 2016
The 31st edition of the IMTS 2016 (International Manufacturing Technology Show), which was held Sept. 12-17 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, drew the highest number of exhibiting companies in the show’s history, with 2,407.
The number of attendees was the 3rd highest ever, with 115,612, and the size of the showfloor, 1,370,256 net square feet, also was the third largest ever. In addition, there was 76 million pounds more weight brought into this year’s show at McCormick.
“IMTS has grown not only in size, but in the overall scope of manufacturing,” saidPeter R. Eelman, vice president… more
Sep 26, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
Most people have either planned or attended an event with a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity. CSR, defined as business practices involving initiatives that benefit society, plays a role in helping organizations to be perceived as leaders.
“A benefit of incorporating local community give-back is that if this is part of their company culture, the meeting again has more meaning than just coming together to meet in person,” said Cindy Y. Lo, DMCP, owner and event strategist for Red Velvet Events, a Global DMC Partner and director of communications for… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.