19,000 Attendees Pack Sold-out National Hardware Show at Las Vegas CC alt
May 12, 2014
With confetti in the morning and burgers in the afternoon, The National Hardware Show that took place May 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center had an impressive performance and is gearing up for even more growth. Spanning 559,000 square feet, the show featured 2,675 exhibitors and attracted about 19,000 attendees. “We’re seeing growth across all segments,” said Tracy Scarfi, marketing director for Reed Exhibitions’ National Hardware Show. “Lawn and Garden continues to stay strong and now takes up the entire North Hall. Hardware is as strong as ever. Black and… more
May 12, 2014
The same day that the Center for Exhibition Industry Research launched a new support campaign to ensure the annual CEIR Index continues to be the essential source and predictive tool for the exhibitions and events industry data, Shepard Exposition Services donated $75,000 to the organization. “While Shepard has relied upon CEIR’s strategic reports on trends and industry predictions for the past 18 years, this crucial data has become even more valuable to organizers in recent years,” said Shepard Vice President of Sales Richard Maples. He added, “We encourage everyone… more
UBM Grows into Mexico with Expo CIHAC Acquisition alt
May 11, 2014
Several other trade show organizers already had staked a claim in the fast-growing trade show market in Mexico, and now UBM also has made a major move into the country with the buy of the construction event Expo CIHAC. UBM bought Expo CIHAC Centro from Impulsor de la Construcción y Habitación A.C. (CIHAC), the Mexican construction industry trade association, which has agreed to continue to support the event. "We are delighted to have Expo CIHAC as UBM's first tradeshow acquisition in Mexico,” said Jamie Salazar, managing director, UBM Mexico. “Expo… more
May 11, 2014
Winter is finally in the rearview mirror for most of the United States, and promoting and hiring has continued into April and May for companies in the trade show industry. David Causton, general manager of Chicago’s McCormick Place, bas been upped by venue management company SMG to regional vice president of the company’s Convention Center Division.  Causton, who has been with the center since 2004, will maintain his role as general manager of the facility. “The successes we have had at McCormick Place are attributable to David’s leadership.  He has… more
May 08, 2014
More than 1,300 attendees, who are members of the artisan wine, craft beer, craft spiritsand craft cider industries, gathered May 6-8 in San Jose, Calif., for the inaugural Craft Beverage Expo. “The turnout was simply incredible - the educational sessions were thought-provoking, and the networking events had great energy” said Kellie Shevlin, executive director of Craft Beverage Expo. She added, “These folks work very hard at their craft and as small business owners it's challenging for them to get away for educational and networking purposes. We’re so proud and… more
May 07, 2014
After more than 42 years in the hospitality industry and 14-plus years at the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, its president and CEO Greg Ortale submitted his resignation May 1. Ortale said it seemed like the right time, especially since Houston First Corp., which oversees the city's convention center and other venues and is the majority funder of the GHCVB, is in discussions to possibly absorb it. “This was totally my decision,” he added. “The No. 1 reason I decided to step down was it seemed like the right time. The changes that are going to go on here… more
May 07, 2014
For every, single show, organizers have to evaluate not only how they are going to spend their dollars to draw people there, but also what methods they will use. In the latest in its series of reports, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research examined spending and the marketing-mix allocation for attendee promotions and marketing tactics found to be most effective in driving attendance at exhibitions - Cost to Attract Attendees. Exhibition organizers use a broad range of traditional and digital tactics to attract qualified attendees to their events. E-mail still reigns supreme, with 96… more
65,000 Attend HKTDC’s Hong Kong-based Gift and Printing Fairs  alt
May 05, 2014
The HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, billed as the largest fair of its kind in the world, and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair closed their four-day shows at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo, respectively, with more than 65,000 total buyers. The buyers came from 151 countries and regions, with overseas buyers up by six percent, compared with last year. Buyers from Asia, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, India and Indonesia, recorded double-digit percentage growth. Traditional markets such as Japan, the United… more
May 05, 2014
The Association of Korean Exhibition Industry (AKEI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The signing ceremony was held at the Landmark Hotel Bangkok attended by Yang-whan Jeong (vice-chairman of AKEI), Sang-kon Kim (deputy director of MOTIE), Nopparat Maythaveekulchai (president of TCEB), Patrapee Chinachoti (president of TEA) and executives and members of TEA in Bangkok. AKEI is the representative organization in the Korean exhibition industry with its 53 members who conduct various roles from supporting and promoting… more
May 05, 2014
It’s been a roller coaster ride over at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and, with the local Carpenters’ union striking twice in the past year - most recently in the middle of a show last week - venue officials drew a line in the sand and issued an ultimatum to all six unions working in the center. A deadline of a minute before midnight May 5 was set for the unions to sign a new “Customer Service Agreement” that would allow exhibitors to do more of their own work at the Pennsylvania CC, and two of those unions, Carpenters Local 8 and Teamsters Local… 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.