Jan 08, 2020
The Corporate Event Marketing Association and PCMA are partnering to extend the reach and membership of their respective organizations. The two groups announced on Jan. 6 at PCMA Convening Leaders that they will work together to develop and share educational programming and content. PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat says that the main goal of the alliance is to elevate the education for both organizations. “PCMA has a commitment to bringing its members access to leading edge education and content that helps them deliver economic and social transformation through business events,” said… more
2020 trends
Jan 08, 2020
What lies ahead for 2020 and the new decade? We talked with a few experts to find out. Take a look at their 2020 trend predictions below. Then, connect with us on Twitter to let us know your take! Trade Shows Arjun Chakravarti, senior vice president of analytics and insights at GES, predicts the following: Measuring and selling experiential sponsorships. Although traditional sponsorship activities will remain a core part of the brand portfolio at trade shows, brands need to return to the C-suite with ROI metrics of shows. Sponsorship opportunities that measurably impact brand perceptions… more
Jan 06, 2020
The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions are gearing up to present a reimagined Vision Expo, the bi-annual trade show and conference for ophthalmic professionals, next year. New features such as curated neighborhoods, creative and interactive exhibit spaces, and refreshed branding (its new show tagline is “The Future, Clearly”) are a few of the fresh concepts that will debut at Vision Expo East 2020, set for March 26-29 at Javits Center in New York City.  As the largest optical event in the U.S., Vision Expo expects to welcome approximately 5,000 optometrists, opticians, practice staff and… more
Dec 24, 2019
It's been a busy year on TSNN! Today we're flashing back to our Top 10 most-read stories of the year. It's clear to see that you loved reading about event technology, new hires and even comfortable trade show shoes. We look forward to bringing you more of the latest news and insights in the industry in 2020. In case you missed any of them, check out our top stories from 2019 below. Freeman to Sell Encore Event Technologies to PSAV The Best Shoes for Trade Show Organizers and Exhibitors, According to a Podiatrist Reed Exhibitions Appoints New Leadership for U.S. Business… more
Dec 23, 2019
The all-male speaking panel — or “manel” — has received harsh criticism, with many speakers (both male and female) pledging to not participate in events where gender diversity is an issue. There’s even a Twitter handle (@allmalepanels) that seeks to both shame event organizers and draw more attention to the issue by calling out particularly egregious manels. Yet a new study from event technology provider Bizzabo shows that the event speaking landscape continues to be male-dominated, with male speakers outnumbering female speakers 2-to-1. And in industries like information technology and… more
Dec 18, 2019
Packing for a trade show is usually a laborious task for anyone, but especially so for Candy Adams. In addition to her suitcase for clothing, shoes and all her personal items, every trip she takes, she packs a separate hard case Samsonite. It holds 40 dozen cookies and usually weighs around 43 pounds — and though it sounds like a lot, she’s got it down to a science, after doing this for more than 25 years. It all started back in 1993 when she was working for a company that made wide-format printers, and the CEO was making a tiny printer for the first Macintosh computer called the Sweet Pea.… more
Dec 15, 2019
After a relatively slower mergers and acquisitions market in 2019 overall, the last quarter of the year saw several transactions recently close. Questex recently acquired the Live Experience assets, including Live Design, Club Industry and World Tea Expo. The acquired portfolio aligns with Questex’s focus on the Experience Economy and will join the Company’s other assets focused on the Hospitality industry, according to company officials. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The Experience Economy is here. Companies driven by ‘experiences’ have a competitive advantage with business… more
Dec 12, 2019
The exhibition industry continued to grow, albeit modestly, during the third quarter of 2019, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s quarterly exhibition index report. The CEIR Total Index, which measures exhibition industry performance, posted a year-over-year gain of 0.6 percent even though it underperformed the overall economy as reflected in the inflation-adjusted GDP. While the trade show industry’s moderate third quarter performance proved to be weaker than the first two quarters of the year, it showed a slight improvement over the same quarter in 2018 when the… more
Dec 11, 2019
At the first light of dawn on the third day of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! last week in Las Vegas, 158 people took part in the inaugural Terence Donnelly (T-Dawg) Memorial 5K Run/1 Mile Walk. Donnelly, who passed away earlier this year, was a long-time member of IAEE and worked for Experient for many years. More than $5,000 from the run/walk was raised to support the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Foundation. “The support shown by Expo! Expo! attendees speaks not only to the remarkable person Terence was and to his legacy, both… more
Dec 04, 2019
A new leader will soon take the helm at VisitDallas, the city’s convention and visitors bureau responsible for attracting tourism, meetings and conventions to the Texas destination. On Jan. 6, 2020, Craig Davis, the current president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, will become the Dallas CVB’s new president and CEO.  Davis will replace VisitDallas Interim President and CEO Sam Coats, who assumed leadership of the agency in May after former President and CEO Phillip Jones stepped down. Jones left his position following a controversy stirred up by a January audit that questioned the ROI of the CVB… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.