Sep 29, 2014
Have you nominated your favorite show organizer to be named Show Manager of the Year? Nominations are accepted at no charge online HERE. The deadline is Sept. 30. The awards will be presented this year at the TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) industry celebration!  Since 2000, The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards have been given to individuals who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community. "Our independent panel of judges struggles annually to choose winners from among the group of smart,… more
Sep 29, 2014
Several shows have recently signed on to renew their contracts or in the midst of long ones at Detroit’s Cobo Center, leading to what Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of the venue, calls one of the most successful years in “memorable history”. The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and SME just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress. The Shell-Eco Marathon energy efficient… more
Sep 28, 2014
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has appointed J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. as its registration, housing, and lead retrieval company for its 2015, 2016, and 2017 Annual Clinical & Scientific Meetings. The event highlights new technology, current clinical dilemmas, and “hot topics” facing those involved in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.  The 2015 Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting will be held May 2-6 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Founded in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has… more
Sep 28, 2014
The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), which holds two world congresses each year and brings together thousands of practitioners, recently released the dynamic program for the 22nd Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, scheduled Dec. 11-13 at the Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas. The program features three distinguished key speakers and three full days of innovative cutting-edge information from the fastest growing specialty in healthcare. “We are very excited about the level of enthusiasm we have received from speakers, sponsors and attendees for our annual Winter… more
Sep 27, 2014
By Benjamin Rabe, CEM and Alexa Newman As trade show managers, it’s easy to get focused on the attendee and exhibitor experience at events and lose sight of the members who aren’t able to attend. But by taking some innovative actions, we can include and even engage members who are staying home. The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association (AHA), encountered this issue. ASHE hosts two annual conferences a year, each averaging 2,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors. However, 6,000 members weren’t attending the events… more
Sep 26, 2014
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveils this year’s recipients of the IAEE Awards program, which recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry. The recipients will be honored at the IAEE Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation to be held Dec. 9-11 during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Los Angeles. “The IAEE Awards Committee is very proud of this year’s honorees,” said 2014 IAEE Awards Committee Chairperson David Audrain, CEM. He added, “The dedication shown by these… more
Sep 23, 2014
Summer hiring was brisk, and now with the busy fall season in full swing, suppliers and show organizers alike are hiring and promoting at an even faster pace than has occurred in the past few years. Emerald Expositions has promoted three veterans of the trade show industry and long-time members of the NY NOW sales team. Randi Mohr and Scott Kramer have been appointed to the new positions of vice president, show directors for NY NOW, and Allison Garafalo has been promoted to sales director.  These three internal promotions, all of which are effective immediately, include a restructuring… more
Sep 23, 2014
The fourth annual Content Marketing World (CMWorld), a Content Marketing Institute event, took place Sept. 8-11, 2014 at the Cleveland Convention Center and saw a huge 54 percent attendee uptick. The event attracted 2,595 delegates from 50 countries, with 33 companies sending seven or more representatives. That is a significant jump in attendance from the 2013 event, which had just more than 1,700 delegates. The first CMWorld drew 600 delegates The exhibit floor grew as well, with 80 exhibitors participating, which was up from 60 exhibitors last year. To accommodate start-ups, CMWorld created… more
Sep 22, 2014
Newton, Mass.-based Questex Media Group, which has more than over 100 digital media products and over 50 conferences, tradeshows and events, was bought by L.A.-based Shamrock Capital Advisors for an undisclosed sum. The company was acquired in partnership with senior management. “Shamrock Capital is the perfect partner for Questex at this point in our evolution,” said Kerry Gumas, Questex Group president and CEO. He added, “They have a deep understanding of the media, communications and entertainment sectors and the customers we serve. They support our ongoing business initiatives and they… more
Sep 22, 2014
With UBM confirming it’s in discussions to possibly buy Advanstar Communications and Questex Media Group being bought last week by Shamrock Capital Advisors, yet another trade show organizer, U.K.-based Clarion Events, also is rumored to be on the sales block, according to The Sunday Times. Clarion, which currently is controlled by Veronis Suhler Stevenson, is the largest trade show organizer in the U.K., and the sales price is reported to be $327 million. Clarion's Executive Chairman Simon Kimble  and VSS Managing Partner Jeffrey Stevenson have not responded to a request for comment.… 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.