Oct 12, 2015
Comcast Spectator’s Spectra Venue Management division (formerly Global Spectrum) and the Spectra Food Services & Hospitality division (formerly Ovations Food Services) will be combined, effective Nov. 2.  This model integrates Spectra food and venue operations management into one team. In total, there will be four geographic divisions and 19 regions.  “The strong partnerships we have with our clients allow us to innovate in ways that benefits our clients, our employees and our customers,” said Glen Brandeburg, who joined the company in 2015 as the president and COO of… more
Oct 11, 2015
Penton’s Comfortech, a contractor-focused conference and exposition, brought together 1,700 mechanical and electrical contracting professionals and nearly 150 exhibiting companies. The show also grew its attendance by 21 percent, when it was held Sept. 15-17 2015 in St. Louis, MO. Comfortech was collocated with association events including Service Roundtable/Service Nation Alliance, Quality Service Contractors, National Comfort Institute, and Women in HVACR and mechanical contractors. “Comfortech covered the vital issues and challenges mechanical and electrical contracting… more
Oct 08, 2015
By Elizabeth Johnson Conventional marketing wisdom tells us “go where your audience is.” Recently, Facebook announced 1 billion users logged on in a single day, and earlier this year, global internet usage on mobile devices surpassed internet usage on desktops or laptops for the first time. These signs make it clear trade show planners and marketers need to invest more online. Beyond email marketing campaigns and social media pages, trade show planners and marketers have a wealth of digital marketing tactics available to them. Many are adding them to their strategies to engage with their… more
Oct 07, 2015
Urban Expositions and the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia (RCAP) have decided two is better than one and will collocate their shows next year.  As part of the arrangement, the RCAP's Philadelphia National Candy, Gift & Gourmet Show (Jan. 9-11) formerly held in Atlantic City, will move to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Penn. to run alongside Urban Expositions' Philadelphia Gift Show (Jan. 8-11). Urban and the RCAP will each operate its respective show independently - utilizing one cohesive floorplan at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center to ensure… more
Oct 06, 2015
Trade Show News Network is pleased to announce that the 3rd annual TSNN Awards $5,000 Student Scholarship awardee is Sophia Hatchitt, a student pursuing event management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality. The scholarship is sponsored by the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (Reno Tahoe USA), and Hatchitt will receive the funds and be feted during the celebration gala dinner at the 6th Annual TSNN Awards Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen as TSNN 2015 scholarship recipient,” Hatchitt said. “I am so grateful to the Reno-… more
Oct 06, 2015
Donna Russo, who has muscular dystrophy, sits in a chair as dancers move around her in beautiful rhythm choreographed by Tam Warner, creating a profound and memorable experience. This experience has been a part of showfloor during the Abilities Expos series of shows, which are geared toward people with disabilities and their families. Lew Shomer and David Korse, owners and producers of the Abilities Expos series, were so moved by Russo and her group’s performance, they now have all teamed up to bring a documentary, “A Passion for Dance”, to the screen. HERE is a video of the performance that… more
Oct 05, 2015
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and officials of the Kentucky International Convention Center recently unveiled the design and renderings for the downtown convention center’s expansion. “The improvements for the Kentucky International Convention Center are very important to downtown Louisville and the many businesses that depend upon conventions in this city,” Beshear said. He added, “This work will result in an annual economic impact of more than $50 million and will help retain current business and attract new conventions to Kentucky. Tourism is a major… more
Oct 05, 2015
Last week was a good one for two different shows – ICUEE 2015, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition, and Pack Expo Las Vegas – both of which broke not only attendance records, but also exhibit space and number of exhibitor records as well. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ biennial ICUEE 2015 was the largest ever, with more than 18,000 registered attendees, 13-percent bigger than the previous show. The 2015 event ran Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. “This was our most comprehensive ICUEE ever, and there was tremendous… more
Oct 04, 2015
LeftField Media added Washington, D.C.’s Awesome Con to its growing roster. Awesome Con, launched by Ben Penrod in 2013, is a pop culture convention set in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event has defined itself as one of the fastest-growing fan conventions in the U.S., and this year attracted more than 40,000 attendees. “We’re thrilled to work with Ben and the Awesome Con team,” said Greg Topalian, president of LeftField Media. “Awesome Con is an incredible event, and DC is a very special region with tremendous fans. We look forward to taking Awesome Con to the next level… more
Oct 03, 2015
Penton added to its robust lifestyle and food portfolio with the acquisition of World Tea Media, an event and digital information company for the global tea industry, from F+W, a Content + eCommerce company. World Tea Media includes the flagship show for the tea industry – World Tea Expo. World Tea Expo will be led by Fred Linder, group president, Penton, who will continue to lead Penton's New Hope business as well as Penton Exhibition Services. "An essential element of our strategy is to focus on high-growth sectors and extend leadership positions. World Tea Media is at… 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.