Dec 08, 2015
Data-driven engagement was a hot topic at last week’s International Association of Exhibitions’ Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2015 in Baltimore.  The 2,500-plus attendees knew to be at this year’s show to learn the latest on this topic, as well as many others.  With record-breaking numbers, on both the attendee and exhibitor fronts, the right note was hit for this conference. Exhibitor Michael Younder from Panvista was happy to see data tied into the keynote. “Clearly, good use of data, as well as engagement that is unobtrusive but relevant, are on the minds of many… more
Dec 07, 2015
The trade show industry continued its growth streak into the third quarter of this year, with a 3.1-percent uptick, compared with the same quarter last year, marking the 21st straight quarter of growth, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Index Report. "We are very encouraged to see three very strong quarters of growth for the year," said CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey. He added, "We will be watching with great interest how the year ends based on fourth quarter results, and anticipate growth to continue into 2016 and 2017." The growth in the third quarter of… more
Dec 06, 2015
“Charm City” lived up to its name, and then some, when more than 2,500 attendees flocked to Baltimore, Md., last week for the International Association of Exhibitions’ Expo! Expo! Annual  Meeting & Exhibition 2015. David DuBois, IAEE’s president and CEO, said that while the attendee numbers were unaudited at this time, they definitely broke records, with a 10-percent uptick, compared with last year’s event in Los Angeles. “It’s the biggest one ever,” he added. “Being located in the Mid-Atlantic region brought in a lot of organizers from the Northeast and the D.C./Maryland/Virginia… more
Dec 03, 2015
This year’s International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) Chairperson Megan Tanel, CEM, passed the gavel to 2016 IAEE Chairperson Julia Smith, CEM, CTA, at the Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation held during Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2015 in Baltimore, Md. "I look forward to building on IAEE's successful advocacy initiatives, and to promoting program development to attract future generations to careers in the exhibitions and events industry," Smith said. She added, "I am honored and excited to serve as 2016 chairperson and will be… more
Dec 03, 2015
By Elizabeth Johnson Amongst packed aisles of security professionals testing new products and learning about trends at 2015 ISC East, Reed Exhibitions shared news that it’s launching a new event, Connected Security Expo, to collocate with ISC West next spring. ISC East kicked off Nov. 18 in New York City. The sold –out, 33,000 net square foot Exhibit Hall was bustling with business being done. Thousands of buyers (total attendance rose 8.2 percent, compared with last year) roamed the showfloor reviewing the latest in surveillance, access control and security technology. Buyers also attended… more
Dec 01, 2015
AmericasMart® Atlanta’s January 2016 Market Temporaries will post 100 percent year-over-year growth in international exhibiting companies, with globally sourced product presented across all 35 collections, according to JoAnn Miller Marshall, executive vice president of AmericasMart trade shows.  The growth in international exhibiting companies parallels continuing expansion for the AmericasMart temporaries mix, which will showcase more than 2,000 exhibiting companies at The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market® (Showrooms Jan.12-19; Temporaries: Jan. 14-18). “… more
Nov 29, 2015
If you’re wondering how to make your event more fun, engaging, memorable and valuable to all of the stakeholders involved, look no further for a great example than Niche Media’s Niche EventFest. Niche EventFest, held Nov. 16-18 in New Orleans, took the typical event experience and infused it with unique experiences throughout, from an icebreaker that really worked at its opening party to a police escorted second line parade to another party and a “Shark Tank”-style event pitch on the final day. The education, too, was right on the money, with sessions that ranged from perfecting negotiation… more
Nov 27, 2015
The 2017 International Buyer Program (IBP) and International Buyer Program SELECT www.export.gov/ibp application period now is open. Interested shows have until Jan. 8, 2016, to apply. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program is a joint government-industry effort designed to increase U.S. export sales by promoting international attendance at major U.S. industry exhibitions. Exhibitors always are looking to connect with qualified buyers. If your show has exhibitors who are interested in exporting their goods and connecting with pre-screened buyers from… more
Nov 27, 2015
Leading into the end of 2015, there still are plenty of deals taking place, with companies such as Experient, Convention Data Services and SmithBucklin signing contracts recently. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Experient have renewed their partnership for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017, the largest show in North America for the construction industries. Experient will be the official housing, registration and lead retrieval provider. At the show, Experient will be implementing eventBit, its newest addition to a suite of unified event technologies (registration, housing, mobile app and… more
Nov 27, 2015
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and they have quite a bit to celebrate. The number of events hosted in the Middle East by ADNEC grew from just 14 in 2005 to 327 at the end of 2014. The number of visitors grew from 50,000 in 2005 to 1.6 million in 2014. That adds up to more than 10.7 million visitors over 10 years. ADNEC’s impact on Abu Dhabi's economy is significant. Numbers at the end of Q3 2015 are at AED1.835billion (close to $500 million), up from the original projection of AED1.7billion ($460 million). Major events hosted… 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.