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
Aug 13, 2024
The global exhibition industry is on track to achieve record revenues this year, according to UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s latest Global Exhibition Barometer flagship industry report.
Released on August 8, the 33rd edition of UFI’s bi-annual report, designed to take the pulse of the worldwide exhibitions industry, was concluded in July 2024 and includes data from 453 companies in 68 countries and regions, as well as dedicated outlooks and analysis for 19 focus countries and regions.
The Barometer’s results confirm UFI’s early data from its January report that… more
Aug 12, 2024
In the fast-paced, increasingly complex and competitive business world, making professional connections at trade shows and events can often feel overwhelming and impersonal for many attendees and exhibitors. MatchPoint, a new AI-powered matchmaking mobile app, was created to address this challenge by seamlessly connecting attendees and vendors with like-minded professionals to make networking at events more curated, effective, and impactful.
The app’s patent-pending machine learning algorithm, bolstered by a sophisticated large language model (LLM), optimizes networking by matching users… more
Aug 12, 2024
Sponsored by Resorts World Las Vegas
Welcome to Resorts World Las Vegas, where business thrives amidst the backdrop of luxury, technology, and world-class service. Our latest campaign, "Rule the World," captures the essence of what it means to stay, play, and conduct business at the most dynamic resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
Who’s Coming to Our Property Resorts World Las Vegas is a magnet for professionals across industries—from tech innovators attending high-stakes conventions to creatives finding inspiration in our vibrant spaces. Our guest list reads like a who’s who of thought… more
Aug 09, 2024
Every July, more than 130,000 pop culture fans descend on San Diego for Comic-Con International, the country's preeminent pop culture convention. While last year's writers' and actors' strike had put a damper on the 2023 show, this year, the headline-grabbing moments were back in full force. (How about that Robert Downey Jr. news?)
But for many fans, the real fun happens outside the San Diego Convention Center, where big brands set up shop with wacky and whimsical activations—many of which don't require a show badge.
From FX's clever tribute to The Bear to Max's journey into The Penguin's… more
Aug 08, 2024
Imagine using a robot to mark the exhibition hall before your event moves in. While some trade and consumer shows are already using the tech to automate and streamline move-in, others may not be aware that it’s even a possibility, if their contractor or venue is not partnering with a supplier like August Robotics.
For the last five years, August Robotics has provided high-efficiency, guided robots to simplify event setup. As of Aug. 6, the company has marked 9.7 million square meters in 1,402 exhibition halls, saving more than 35,875 hours, according to August Robotics Chief Product Officer… more
Aug 07, 2024
Despite some threats to boycott the Florida location due to politics, destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), and tourism board leaders came out in record numbers to attend the Destinations International (DI) 2024 Annual Convention in Tampa. Held July 16-18 at two connected Marriott hotels near the Tampa Convention Center, the event attracted nearly 2,000 participants, including more than 750 international delegates from more than 30 countries.
“We had a record-breaking Annual Convention in Tampa this year and based on our guest feedback we couldn’t be more pleased… more
Aug 06, 2024
Two major convention centers established and expanded agreements with service providers while a Midwestern destination previewed its expanded outdoor offerings for meeting and convention groups alike.
ASM Global Tapped to Operate Reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center, Extended Its Contract to Manage Detroit’s Huntington Place
Full-service venue management company ASM Global has been awarded the contract by the City of Cincinnati to launch and operate the reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC), which recently closed its doors for renovation on July 1.
Currently undergoing a $… more
Aug 05, 2024
Three event organizations in the U.S. and across the pond recently made strategic trade show acquisitions and formed new partnerships to enhance their offerings and increase their presence in key business segments. Take a look.
Trifecta Collective Acquires TRANSACT
Trifecta Collective, a trade show platform owned and backed by leading U.S. private equity firm GreyLion, acquired TRANSACT from the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), a global advocacy and trade association for the payments industry.
As an annual event for the payments processing industry, TRANSACT’s 2024 edition was… more
Aug 02, 2024
With 5% to 16.5% of attendees having symptoms associated with sensory processing challenges and 1 in 45 adults in the U.S. with autism, more venues and destinations are committed to making sure autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcome and supported while attending meetings and events.
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is the latest venue to receive Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global organization that provide professional autism and neurodiversity training and… 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.