Association Show News
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Oct 21, 2024
Viad Corp, a public company, has entered into a definitive agreement with private Los Angeles-based private equity firm Truelink Capital to acquire GES, a global exhibition and event industry services provider, for $535 million.
The acquisition encompasses GES Exhibitions, a provider of global exhibition and logistics services; global experiential agency Spiro; and onPeak, SHOWTECH, and Visit, which provide event housing, power/lighting, and registration services, respectively.
Upon the transaction’s completion by Dec. 31, 2024, pending regulatory approvals, due diligence, and other… more
Oct 17, 2024
Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers. Set for December 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, Calif., the intimate event is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and will explore key topics facing all three segments of the trade show and business events industry.
Last year, ACCESS 2023 attracted 325 attendees to the Hyatt Coconut Point in… more
Oct 16, 2024
In December 2023, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) unveiled a feature at its Expo! Expo! annual show that could benefit event organizers as well as exhibitors: facial analysis of attendees.
Developed by technology firm Zenus AI, the system of sensors and cameras was set up in Expo! Expo! educational theaters and activation areas to collect anonymous data on attendees’ engagement—their dwell time, facial expressions, and energy levels. The data that’s gathered is far below the threshold needed to identify a person, and the data is aggregated in order to find… more
Oct 10, 2024
In September, Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy told workers they must come into the office five days a week starting in January.
This announcement by the tech giant that employs more than 1 million comes on the heels of new data that reveals a majority (83%) of CEOs surveyed globally predict that companies will shift to require a “full” return of employees to in-office work in the next three years, an increase from 64% the prior year. This is according to global tax, audit and advisory services firm KPMG, which reported on the findings of a survey of 1,300 chief executives conducted in July and… more
Oct 09, 2024
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.
Several key events in destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami have already been canceled or rescheduled, dealing a blow to an industry that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. As Florida braces for what could be its strongest… more
Oct 04, 2024
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) opened nominations for its 14th annual TSNN Awards, recognizing trade show excellence and innovation across 12 categories. For the first time, TSNN and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) are uniting to co-locate and present dual industry awards programs on Monday, Dec. 16, at The Novo during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition® in Los Angeles. The joint awards celebration will honor and celebrate the industry's finest on a stage that's hosted music legends.
“This collaboration showcases the best of what TSNN and IAEE… more
Sep 25, 2024
Selling an events business is one of the most significant and complex decisions a trade show industry entrepreneur can face, particularly after investing years of passion, creativity, and hard work into building an event that deliver value to attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Whether one is the founder of a trade show, conference series, or virtual events platform, the event sale process requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the industry’s unique challenges to maximize value and ensure continued success under new ownership.
To assist… more
Sep 23, 2024
IMTS, the International Manufacturing Technology Show returned Sept. 9-14 to McCormick Place for its biennial five-day conference and trade show that brought 1,700 exhibiting companies and 89,020 registrants to Chicago. Attendance was up from 86,307 registrants while exhibiting companies were down from 1,816 for its last show in 2022, according to IMTS data.
In its 97th year, the show—originally called the International Machine Tool Show until 1990—has been calling the iconic Chicago venue its home since 1972, when it only occupied the first floor of Windy City convention center, back when… more
Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. B2B exhibition industry experienced a minor slowdown following a robust first quarter (Q1) in 2024, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Q2 2024 Index that measures overall exhibition performance by four metrics—exhibitors, attendance, net square footage and real revenues.
Due to a modest performance in all four of the CEIR metrics for completed events, the Q2 Index value dropped from 92.3 in Q1 to 87.7 in Q2, compared to 100 in 2019.
Marsha Flanagan, president and CEO of IAEE, said the latest CEIR data demonstrates the B2B exhibition industry is… more
Sep 12, 2024
A record number of business event professionals are now working full-time as freelancers, according to a recent study designed to highlight the motivations, demographics, and work values of independent workers in the events industry.
In fact, across all industries, the independent workforce trend has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 36% of the U.S. workforce across all industries engaging in freelance work in 2023, an increase of 4 million total professionals from 2022, according to a December 2023 study conducted by leading online freelance marketplace Upwork. … 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.