Jan 29, 2019
To say that last year was a monumental one for Informa Exhibitions, which is led by CEO Charlie McCurdy, would be quite an understatement.
2018 marked the largest mergers and acquisitions deal in history, with Informa buying fellow U.K.-based exhibition company, UBM, for a whopping $5.2 billion.
Now that the deal has been closed for several months, TSNN sat down with McCurdy to talk through what’s next and some overall exhibition market trends.
The Informa/UBM deal was completed in June, and McCurdy said there was an accelerated plan put in place immediately to integrate the two… more
Jan 28, 2019
NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jared Goff will go head to head at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Sunday, Feb. 3, for Super Bowl LII. Yet the Atlanta CVB is drawing on more stars to help promote the big game, launching a celebrity-packed video welcoming visitors to the city to mark the first the first time it’s hosted the Super Bowl since 2000.
“Atlanta is a city that celebrates diversity, and we’re thrilled to work with many of the people who make this city special as we welcome visitors for this landmark event,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta CVB. “We are excited to… more
Jan 24, 2019
The year started off with a flurry of new hires, making for a busy and exciting January. Here are all the industry professionals who have been making some big career moves recently.
Ed Nichols is now vice president of events for Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hannover, Germany’s Deutsche Messe – one of the world’s largest and most active organizers of capital goods trade fairs. He will manage the commercial vehicle show portfolio, which currently includes the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. Previously, Nichols was vice president of events for Endeavour Business Media.… more
Jan 23, 2019
With the U.S. government shutdown still in effect — and stretched longer than any other in history — many association meeting planners and trade show organizers are concerned about how this might impact their events.
Destination DC has been actively campaigning to let the world know that the city is open for business and ready to welcome both events and leisure travelers.
The “DC is Open” campaign was first launched during a previous shutdown in October 2013, and has been redeployed to help visitors navigate the city.
While the Smithsonian museums, National Zoo, National Gallery of Art and… more
Jan 22, 2019
Trade wars and a turbulent global economic outlook. Global opportunities, changing business models and disruption. The need for show organizers to remain flexible as well as pragmatic in running and planning their businesses going forward. These are just some of the pressing industry issues that will be addressed at the 2019 UFI European Conference, set for May 15-17 at the Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham, U.K.
Produced by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the annual event for exhibition professionals will focus on what organizers in Europe and beyond will be… more
Jan 21, 2019
Event planners looking for a Pacific Northwest hotel able to accommodate all their meeting guests might want to take a look at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. The new 45-story downtown property, which is now the largest hotel in the region, opened its doors late last year, on Dec. 10.
Located just two blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022, Hyatt Regency Seattle offers more than 103,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.
“Progress is all around us,” said Hyatt… more
Jan 18, 2019
Want to learn how to design magical, mind-mapping event experiences for your attendees? Want to unleash the magic within you and your organization by receiving one-to-one advice on how to make your next event rock your participants’ (and your leadership’s) world?
Tap into the inspiration and innovation of the creative mind of Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity at the Walt Disney Company, in our first Ask Me Another live video session of the new year, set for Thursday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. ET.
A former top executive at one of the most creative companies in the world, Wardle… more
Jan 15, 2019
Pittsburgh put on one heck of a show for several thousand industry leaders last week at PCMA’s Convening Leaders annual conference, held Jan. 6-9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The theme hit hard on innovation in an ever-changing industry.
“We built this conference around the theme 'Disrupt + Deliver' because that’s what the industry needs and wants,’’ explained PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “We leave here with a greater commitment and better understanding of how business events can and must drive economic and social progress.’’
A roster of standout speakers included… more
Jan 15, 2019
Reed Exhibitions has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mack Brooks Exhibitions, adding a few dozen events to Reed’s global portfolio.
“Mack Brooks is an excellent fit with Reed Exhibitions’ existing portfolio and the combination of the two businesses will deliver value for all stakeholders, including customers and staff,” said Chet Burchett, CEO of Reed Exhibitions.
Mack Brooks Exhibitions, based in St. Albans, U.K., was established in 1965 and features more than 30 business-to-business events in 14 countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, serving nine industry… more
Jan 14, 2019
Karen Kotowski, who has led the Events Industry Council (EIC) for the past 10 years, has tendered her resignation as CEO.
With this change in leadership, EIC has initiated a search to identify a new CEO.
During her tenure, Karen Kotowski oversaw the growth of EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and the completion of three studies on the Economic Significance of Meetings in the U.S.
In addition, she led the first-ever Global Economic Significance Study -- research that has provided indisputable proof of the economic impact of our industry and a platform for articulating the… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.