Sep 19, 2019
Trade Show News Network has selected the 10 finalists for our 2019 TSNN “Best of Show” awards. The TSNN Awards’ is celebrating this 10thAnniversary this year and marketing it with record-breaking nominations for the “Best of Show” category!  We asked show organizers to tell us why they believed their show was “best,” and the shows listed below are ones that we believe exemplify true innovation in the trade show industry. Now, we need all of YOU to vote for the show that you think deserves to be named the Best of Show.  The two overall winners will be announced at the TSNN Awards, which… more
Vacation time
Sep 19, 2019
Last year, Cori Dossett, president of Conferences Designed based in Dallas, spent two weeks in New Zealand. It was meant to be a holiday, but despite being 7,500 miles from home, it didn’t feel like one.  “I literally worked half the vacation — some days I did not leave my hotel room,” recalls Dossett. “It was unfortunate and sad in so many ways.” This meeting planner’s experience is relatable on many levels. It’s hard to take time away from work in this industry, and even more so when you’re the boss. As a self-employed small business owner, Dossett says she has freedom to take as much… more
Sep 17, 2019
Following an extensive international search, Tourism Toronto appointed Scott Beck as president and CEO. For the past 14 years, Beck has served as the president and CEO of Visit Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah, and will begin his new role on Oct. 15.  A proven leader in the destination sales and marketing industry, Beck served on the Executive Committee of Destinations International for six years and served as the organization's International Board Chair from 2014-2015. "To say that I am excited about the opportunity to join the highly respected team at Tourism Toronto is an… more
Sep 17, 2019
Two new shows representing two very popular and expanding industry sectors will debut in the next two years.  Questex is gearing up to launch Impact CBD, a content-based trade show and conference and digital platform focused on the rapidly evolving world of the $22 billion CBD market.  Set for Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2020, at Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, the inaugural Impact CBD will feature in-depth education with tracks analyzing the impact of CBD on patients, clients, health practices and businesses. It will also have an expo hall with hundreds of CBD providers and experience centers… more
IMEX America 2019
Sep 16, 2019
If you were flying home from Las Vegas last week, there’s a good chance you were seated next to a fellow IMEX attendee. This year’s IMEX America, held at Sands Expo and Convention Center from Sept. 10-12, drew an estimated 14,000 attendees and generated an economic impact of more than $20 million, according to show officials. Held in Las Vegas for nine years now, IMEX included more than 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries on the trade showfloor. IMEX Group, which organizes the show, estimates a total of 76,000 individual and group appointments took place over the three-day event. That marks… more
Healthy F&B
Sep 12, 2019
Lemon chia breakfast bread. Spirulina goji berry energy bites. Adzuki bean brownies. It’s safe to say Murray Hall, executive chef of Bank of Montreal Conference Center, got creative with these healthy treats dubbed “foods of the future” at MPI World Education Congress in Toronto earlier this summer. The spread was part of the inaugural Meeting Room of the Future showcase put on by IACC at WEC, intended to give a glimpse (and a taste) of what’s to come for meetings and events. While at WEC these were called foods of the future, serving healthier offerings at corporate events has picked up… more
Sep 10, 2019
As Hurricane Dorian moved over the cold waters of the Labrador Sea and became an extra-tropical storm on Sunday, many communities along the Atlantic are facing the devastation left in its wake. By far the greatest destruction was in the northern Bahamas, where Dorian planted itself for 48 hours as a monster Category 5 hurricane, obliterating everything in its path and leaving an estimated 70,000 people homeless, according to news reports. So far, the death toll has risen to 45 and is expected to climb as thousands remain missing. To help with what is expected to be a massive recovery effort… more
Sep 09, 2019
In line with the macroeconomy, exhibition industry growth continued during the second quarter of 2019 but at a slower pace, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The CEIR Total Index, which is a measure of exhibition industry performance, posted a year-over-year gain of 1.6 percent even though it underperformed against the overall economy as reflected in the inflation-adjusted GDP. “The growth during the second quarter indicates that the exhibition industry is on track to register a ninth consecutive year of growth, albeit slowing growth as was forecasted by our economist… more
Sep 09, 2019
IACC and the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management have released a combined research project, “Trends in the Meeting Venue Industry,” which provides insights and predictions on the U.S. conference venues market from a venue perspective. The report is available in two versions, one that focuses on residential conference venues (venues that offer guest rooms as well as meeting facilities) and the other on non-residential. Both versions utilize full year 2018 operating data collected from 69 IACC and SHFM member venues in the U.S. and explore a variety of elements including… more
Sep 06, 2019
Ricky Kalmon isn’t your everyday motivational speaker. A mindset expert, celebrity hypnotist and motivational speaker by trade, Kalmon works to engage and inspire event groups through his customized entertainment and keynote program that blends hypnosis with high-energy mindset coaching. CEN/TSNN sat down with Kalmon to find out how a positive mental attitude can not only help us become healthier, happier and less stressed, but also more successful in our personal and professional lives. How did you get into hypnotism?  I grew up in the entertainment business and was a child magician. I… 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.