Feb 11, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, today released the latest edition of its Global Barometer research, which measures the state of the global exhibition industry. Among the highlights: strong industry performance overall for 2019, but also high uncertainty looking ahead for this year in regions such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America. (Note: This research was conducted before the coronavirus outbreak, which may be impacting outlook.) “Exhibitions grew again in 2019, but a slowdown is expected for the beginning of 2020,” says Kai Hattendorf, managing director and CEO of… more
Feb 04, 2020
Emerald Expositions Events today launched a new brand identity, vision, corporate website and formal name change to Emerald Holding, Inc. According to Emerald officials, these changes reflect the company’s evolution and core commitment to building dynamic market platforms that integrate live events, community-relevant content and data-focused solutions into uniquely rich experiences.   “As our portfolio of events and services has advanced, we have now evolved the Emerald brand to better reflect who we are – a company fully immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the… more
Feb 03, 2020
Two leading event producers are expanding their reach in the consumer show marketplace with a popular show acquisition and a launch. Marketplace Events Scoops Up Cincinnati Holiday Market  Cleveland-based Marketplace Events, known as the largest producer of B2C shows in the U.S. and Canada, has acquired the Cincinnati Holiday Market from Hart Productions of Cincinnati, Ohio. As the first of the new year for Marketplace Events, the acquisition marks the 13th since the company was purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in early 2016.   Held annually at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the… more
Feb 03, 2020
Tarsus Group, a U.K.-based global exhibition company, has formed a joint venture with Las Vegas-based UNFILTERED EXPERIENCE and will partner on a series of shows in the United States focused on the fast-growing independent beauty market. Unfiltered Experience, which began as an event last July in Las Vegas, is led by CEO Daniela Ciocan, who oversaw marketing for the Cosmoprof trade show for 12 years, as well as spent several years prior to that in the beauty industry. ““I am thrilled to partner with Tarsus Group to give us the ability to scale up faster and provide access to an… more
Jan 31, 2020
Coronavirus is all over the news: Airlines are reducing flights to China or grounding flights coming from Wuhan (where the virus originated); Asia trade shows are being postponed; and on Jan. 30, the World Health Organization officially declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency. It’s nearly impossible for event professionals to avoid travel during this time, making it important to take extra precautions to stay well as world health experts work to contain the virus. Here’s what you need to know. How Coronavirus Is Transmitted For the most part, the virus was transmitted… more
Jan 31, 2020
After five years at the helm of Reed Exhibitions, Chet Burchett will be retiring from the global company, and Hugh Jones will be stepping in Feb. 1. “I’m looking forward to bringing more increasingly sophisticated data-led analytics and technology to more customers around the world,” Jones said. “Exhibitions is an exciting, entrepreneurial industry, and the fundamentals of the business are excellent.” He added, “Combining the best of face-to-face connections with technology and rich data analytics will provide new value to our more than 7 million exhibitors and visitors. This ensures that… more
Jan 30, 2020
More than 7,700 people have been sickened and 170 people have died from the coronavirus in mainland China, while at least 68 cases have been reported in other places around the world, according to the World Health Organization. As WHO meets today to decide whether to declare the coronavirus epidemic an international public health emergency, the outbreak is beginning to impact the Chinese trade show industry.  “With Chinese and international authorities very focused on containment, there is a growing consensus amongst the international organizers we are speaking to that this situation will… more
Jan 24, 2020
Bishop-McCann — a Kansas City, Missouri-based producer of meetings, incentives and events — has acquired the meetings and events division of ASE Group. Established in 1988, ASE Group (also headquartered in Kansas City) is a meetings and events agency focused on advancing the franchise industry. This acquisition will allow Bishop-McCann to increase its position in the franchise industry and encourage increased diversification within the industry, according to company officials. Bishop-McCann has produced more than 30,000 programs in 28 countries.  “Bringing more innovation to our clients and… more
Exhibitor
Jan 23, 2020
Leaders from industry companies including CadmiumCD, EXPOCAD, Freeman, GES, Map Your Show and Personify A2Z Events are coming together to create a solution to a major problem in the industry: jumbled exhibitor data. This effort of designing common exhibitor data standards is expected to help streamline operations as well as improve the customer experience. In the past, events providers each had their own practices for managing exhibitor data — and because there wasn’t a standard for providing the data, it created pain points and was inefficient for all involved, explains Rick Britton, GES… more
Jan 22, 2020
Two leading B2C and B2B event producers are hitting the ground running in 2020 by acquiring events and forming new joint ventures. Nationwide Expos Scoops Up Three Home and Garden Shows  Consumer event producer RJ Promotions has sold three of its home and outdoor shows to Nationwide Expos, one of the largest B2C home show producers in the U.S.  “Nationwide Expos is excited to take over where RJ Promotions left off with some new and innovative features to draw some great foot traffic in these markets,” said Jon Lewis, president of Nationwide Expos.  The three shows include: Iowa Home Show… 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.