Aug 10, 2011
This year’s Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Conference - “Digital Declaration” - wrapped up Aug. 11 after not only covering various aspects of technology impacting the trade show industry, but also drawing more attendees.
In all, 180 show organizers and suppliers came to the event held at Philadelphia’s newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center, compared with 150 attendees at last year’s conference in Boston.
The event kicked off Tuesday night with a reception at the Franklin Institute, and Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the… more
Aug 07, 2011
The American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exposition, on tap Aug. 6-9 in St. Louis, attracted 5,400 total participants, which was slightly more than the 5,270 participants that came to last year’s event in Los Angeles.
“We surpassed Los Angeles last year, and we’re really excited about that,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, at a press conference on the meeting’s third day.
There also were 672 booths and 400 companies on the showfloor at America… more
Jul 28, 2011
U.K.-based United Business Media bought International Business Events, the owner of the Ecobuild exhibition business, for an initial cash payment of $51 million followed by another $33 million payable during the next 12 months.
UBM acquired the business on behalf of its UBM Built Environment division, according to company officials. Ecobuild’s CEO David Wood will remain with the business until mid-2012.
Ecobuild, an exhibition for sustainable building products, was launched in 2004 and is held annually at ExCeL London.
“Ecobuild is a great show that complements our other businesses in… more
Jul 28, 2011
The first half of this year started off on a high note for U.K.-based Tarsus Group and looks to be even better going into the second half with the recent release of the company’s Interim Results ending June 30.
Overall revenue was $32 million, a 14-percent increase, compared with $28 million in 2010. Like-for-like revenues also were up 7 percent, compared with 2010, and adjusted pre-tax profits were $987,000, down from $1.8 million during the same period last year.
The company attributed the drop to increased interest costs in the period before receipt of proceeds from equity… more
Jun 20, 2011
Dallas-based Freeman bought all three companies owned by San Francisco-based Wheelhouse Solutions – Champion Exposition Services, George Fern Exposition & Services and Immersa Marketing – for an undisclosed sum. The transaction closes June 21.
Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman, said the company always is looking to expand its business, and acquiring all three companies is not only a strategic fit, but also a cultural fit.
“Champion is known for great creative and technology … we believe we will also have the best team of employees,” he added. “We… more
Jun 19, 2011
U.K.-based United Business Media bought a 70-percent stake in the Catersource Conference & Trade Show and sister show Event Solutions on behalf of UBM Live for $5 million.
Catersource services the catering industry, and Event Solutions services the event planning industry.
Catersource will become part of UBM Live, adding to UBM Live’s portfolio of events serving the Food & Leisure industries both in the United States and internationally.
The portfolio includes brands such as Cruise Shipping, Food Ingredients, Health Ingredients, Leisure Industry Week and Confex.… more
May 08, 2011
The Houston-based Offshore Technology Conference boasted a 29-year attendance high for its recent show held at Reliant Park.
The show, held May 2-5, had 78,150 attendees, which was up 8 percent from last year and surpassed the 2010 total of 72,025.
The sold out trade show also was the largest since 1982 at 603,000 square feet, up from 568,000 square feet in 2010. The event had 2,520 companies from 40 countries, including 306 new exhibitors this year and added exhibitors from Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.
New this year was the OTC Parkway, spanning from Reliant… more
Apr 27, 2011
The first part of this year has started off on a bright note for the Minneapolis Convention Center, with several consumer shows scoring increases in attendance, compared with last year. The shows ranged from a 6-percent increase all the way to a 26-percent increase in attendance.
The shows that reported higher attendance were the Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Minneapolis Home and Garden Show, Twin Cities Auto Show and Northwest Sportshow.
Besides more people at the shows, they also opened their wallets once they were there on the showfloor and… more
Dec 13, 2010
Just a year and a half after Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. bought the semiannual California Gift Show from dmg world media, MMPI has breathed new life into a show that had seen declines in recent years.
On the show’s opening day, held Jan. 21-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Jan. 18-24 at MMPI’s nearby L.A. Mart permanent and temporary showrooms, the showfloor at the LACC was bustling with buyers looking for new products and exhibitors eager to shake off the gloom of tough recessionary times.
Exhibitor Jamie Ferling, owner of San Fernando, Calif.-based resort t-shirt company… more
Jan 10, 0018
On what was a packed day on the bustling CES showfloor, the massive consumer electronics show, a power blackout occurred at the Las Vegas Convention Center impacting meeting rooms in the North and South Halls for approximately two hours.
"Today at approximately 11:15 AM (PST), the Central Hall and South Hall bridge meeting rooms at the Las Vegas Convention Center lost power. Power in the South Hall was restored within minutes, and power has now been fully restored to all areas. A preliminary assessment indicates that condensation from heavy rainfall caused a flashover on one of the… 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.