Jun 16, 2014
It was a tough battle when labor reforms recently were pushed through at Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center, but one that has evidently paid off, with two shows signing on to the center in 2017 and 2018. The American Industrial Hygiene Association chose Philadelphia as the host city for its 2018 Conference and Exposition (AIHce), which is considered the most important event of the year among occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. More than 6,000 attendees are expected to attend AIHce, using 13,608 total hotel room nights to generate more than $16.2… more
Jun 15, 2014
In Houston, they decided that one entity was better than two for promoting the city as a go-to convention and tourism destination. The boards of Houston First Corporation and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau have agreed to align themselves structurally. As part of the alignment, the GHCVB’s 90-person staff will become employees of HFC, with no plans to lay off staff from either organization, according to HFC officials. In addition, the GHCVB’s board of directors and executive committee will remain intact and will  recommend four candidates to Houston… more
Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition Continues Growth Streak in Chicago alt
Jun 15, 2014
Just halfway through the first day of Emerald Expositions’ Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the Digital River booth already was packed with people and, according to marketing director John Phillips, they also had 500-plus leads in hand. Digital River did a few things right, including sponsoring the Internet Lounge, which boosted their booth size to 50’x40’ and attracted people that might otherwise not have stopped by, Phillips said. But the real audience pleaser was a virtual ski slope set up in their booth that attendees… more
Hillary Rodham Clinton Headlines Busy United Fresh Show in Chicago alt
Jun 12, 2014
The aisles of the United Fresh 2014 show were filled with a cornucopia of mouth-watering produce , eye-popping booths, bright colors and plenty of people on the first day of the show’s opening this week at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Attendees had the opportunity to try out Pom Wonderful’s new flavorful juices and every kind of guacamole imaginable from different growers, while also taking in education on and off the showfloor, hearing high-profile speakers such as former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and networking at places like Chicago’s Millennium Park.… more
Reed Travel Exhibitions’ AIBTM Will Change Name, Scale Back Event in 2015 alt
Jun 11, 2014
Since Reed Travel Exhibitions’ AIBTM launched a few years ago in Baltimore, its model has been to have a showfoor filled with suppliers who wanted to show off what they had to offer to buyers who were hosted by the show to come into town. But now, not only has the show decided to drastically scale back its hosted buyer program from more than 1,000 attendees this year to just 250 next year, but there also will be just 250 exhibitors on the showfloor as well, compared with 508 this year. In addition, the show’s name will be changed from AIBTM to IBTM America 2015. “We have… more
World Tea Expo Founder Leaves Show to Head CannaBusiness Media alt
Jun 11, 2014
For the past 10 years, George Jage, founder and director of World Tea Expo, has been busy building up the show, as well as launching Healthy Beverage Expo and growing them both into successful events. World Tea Expo was such a success, that for several years it was named by now-defunct Tradeshow Week magazine one of the fastest-growing shows in the U.S. But now, Jage has decided to switch tea for another natural product by taking the lead at CannaBusiness Media, a division of Anne Holland Ventures, Inc., headquartered in Pawtucket, R.I., is a publishing and event company serving the medical… more
People News: New Hires Continue into Summer Months alt
Jun 10, 2014
With the colder winter days firmly in the rearview mirror and the summer months ahead, companies have kept up a brisk hiring pace into the sunnier, longer days of the season. Atlanta-based Nth Degree has named Brad Langley as president of its Events division. In this key senior leadership role, Langley will be charged with providing overall strategic direction to and overseeing growth and client service for the company’s Events business. Langley, a seasoned professional in the global meetings and events industry, has more than 20 years in executive-level leadership roles at Creative… more
Team San Jose Reupped to Oversee San Jose McEnery Convention Center/CVB alt
Jun 08, 2014
Two good pieces of news came out of San Jose, Calif., last week, with Team San Jose, an economic development organization that also serves as the city’s convention and visitors bureau, being reupped to continue to oversee both the CVB and San Jose McEnery Convention Center. The San Jose City Council approved new contracts with Team San Jose to not only take care of the center, but also other city venues such as  Parkside Hall, South Hall, City National Civic, Center for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater and California Theatre.  The decision to renew the contracts was… more
Exhibit Surveys Releases White Paper on How Show Organizers Can Partner More Strategically with Exhibitors alt
Jun 04, 2014
Exhibit Surveys, Inc., the leading provider of research, measurement, and consulting services for the exhibition and event industry, released a new white paper, “How Anchor Exhibitors Plan, and How Organizers Can Benefit,” by CEO and president Skip Cox. The white paper highlights how show organizers can deliver more value by better enabling exhibitors to achieve their strategic objectives.  By improving their understanding of anchor exhibitors’ event marketing strategies, including how they select shows, make investment decisions, project and calculate ROI (Return On… more
SIA Snow Show Gives Emerging Brands a Chance with CRAFT @ SIA alt
Jun 04, 2014
A few years ago, show organizers of SIA Snow Show, owned by the SnowSports Industries America, started tracking independent boutique brands that had either never heard of their show, or were too small to take a booth on the showfloor. With a huge portion of the market share already represented at the show, there still were some brands, especially in the ski and snowboard sectors, that were unfound treasures waiting to be discovered. At this year’s show, held in February at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, SIA gave those “small guys a chance”, according to Chris… 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.