Aug 27, 2024
Sponsored by Fern Expo
A Look at Technology Advancements Reshaping Event Management
By Jim Kelley, VP Marketing and Industry Relations, Fern Expo
Trade shows and conventions are no longer merely events. They’re gathering places for like-minded people who want to make meaningful connections and be a part of memorable experiences.
From enhancing attendee engagement to streamlining event processes, event organizers are finding that technology—whether behind the scenes or attendee-facing—plays a powerful role in keeping their events relevant and ensuring that both attendees and… more
Aug 26, 2024
RELX, which owns independent event organizer RX, backed its full-year guidance after delivering revenue and profit growth in the first half of 2024, according to a press release.
In late July, the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 Index company reported pretax profit for the half year that ended June 30 rose to 1.3 billion pounds ($1.68 billion), with underlying revenue growth of 10% over the same period last year.
By the numbers: Revenue rose to GBP4.64 billion ($6.07 billion), up from GBP4.5 billion ($5.89 billion), with underlying growth of 7%. Revenues came in 2.2% below… more
Aug 23, 2024
U.S. resort and souvenir trade show and conference producer RedlineXpo has added to its event portfolio with the launch of California Action Retailer + Venture (CARV) Expo, which will showcase the latest surf, skate, bike, and outdoor retailers from across the country.
Set for June 20-22, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, the new trade show will span more than 70,000 square feet and feature a wide range of manufacturers showcasing products from apparel and hard goods to wellness and more in a casual setting designed to foster connection and networking opportunities for buyers and… more
Aug 22, 2024
With 100,000 potential customers walking through the doors, how do you stand out from the crowd at a sports collectors convention? Four exhibitors—Ludex, TikTok Shop, CGC Cards, and Dappz Sports—partnered with show management to sponsor an exclusive VIP Experience at the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) to capture attention in the $32.4 billion global sports memorabilia market, which is projected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 24.16% over the next decade, reaching $227.2 billion by 2032, according to a report by Market Decipher.
Not only did the sports trading… more
Aug 21, 2024
In an indication that business events have solid momentum right now, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) drew 5,070 participants—including 2,900 association executives and planners—to its 2024 annual meeting, held August 10-13 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland. That figure is 2.4 percent higher than for the 2023 event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
On August 12, ASAE held a press conference for industry journalists and local reporters, touching on the $6-million economic benefit the meeting generated for Cleveland. That data served as a lead… more
Aug 20, 2024
Next year, B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, Informa Markets Engineering, is launching the inaugural Sustainable Manufacturing Expo, a trade show and conference for sustainable industrial manufacturing. The new event will collocate with IME West/MD&M West, joining other collocated manufacturing shows, including WestPack, Automation Technology (ATX) West, D&M West, and Plastec West.
Set for Feb. 4-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, IME West will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the 2025… more
Aug 19, 2024
Emerald, which produces 140 annual trade shows and conferences annually, reported that overall revenues for the second quarter (Q2) were essentially flat, but the company saw an uptick of 3.3% in organic revenues over the same period last year.
On Aug. 7, Emerald reported Q2 total revenues of $86.0 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.6% over Q2 2023, primarily due to several small, discontinued events that were not contributing to profitability and scheduling differences, according to a release by Emerald.
Here’s a deeper dive into the company’s financial performance.
By the numbers… more
Aug 16, 2024
Viad, a global provider of exhibition services and experiential marketing, reported strong Q2 results that exceed prior guidance. The parent company of global exhibition and trade show management company GES and global brand experience agency Spiro reported that GES revenues increased 19.6% year-over-year, primarily due to new client wins and continued underlying growth.
For Q2 that ended June 30, GES show performance and client spend remain strong, raising the company’s full year outlook, according to a release by Viad.
Here’s a deeper dive into the company’s financial performance.
Viad… more
Aug 15, 2024
On July 30, event-furniture rental giant CORT Events invited 200 industry leaders and tastemakers to a five-hour, garden-themed open house event on the 9th floor of New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Plaza. The to-do drew inspiration from the venue’s adjacent alfresco event space—where a foliage-filled oasis was a reprieve from the traffic below—and boasted setups throughout of different seating, table-and-chair, and decor arrangements for guests to both ogle over and mingle in.
Here are the five noteworthy trends that CORT chose to display, plus insights the company’s executive director of… more
Aug 14, 2024
Apparel industry CEOs, designers, sourcing and material managers, product development executives from large brands, retailers and independent companies recently helped shatter attendance records at the summer edition of Functional Fabric Fair, a triannual trade show and platform showcasing the latest trends in sustainable textile development.
Held every July in NYC and biannually in Portland in April and November, the 2024 summer edition took place July 16-17 in the River Pavilion at New York City’s Javits Center.
Produced by RX and powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, the sourcing event boasted… 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.