Jul 31, 2024
After wrapping up the 2024 SEMICON West on July 11 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, SEMI, a global industry association connecting more than 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, will produce next year’s show in a new city later in the year.  In 2025 for the first time, Phoenix will host SEMICON West, a microelectronics exhibition in North America, Oct. 7-9, at the Phoenix Convention Center. SEMI's decision to host SEMICON West in Phoenix highlights a strategic shift to further… more
pirate potion
Jul 23, 2024
Ahead of this week’s opening of Comic-Con, the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) unveiled the show’s limited-edition craft chocolate bars that will be available for purchase when the show opens at 6 p.m. PT on Wed., July 24.  The country’s longest-running event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, TV, gaming and interactive multimedia, runs through Sun., Jul 28.  With a robust program of speakers, exhibits, films, and games, Comic-Con attracts more than 135,000 attendees, creating a regional economic impact of more than $160 million and tax revenues of more than… more
Jul 22, 2024
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) got the green light to move forward with its Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project, which is now expected to move forward in the spring of 2025. On July 2, the Los Angeles City Council voted to advance the project, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for city residents, attract visitors, and bring new revenue to the City’s General Fund, according to LACC officials. Plans include new construction that will connect the LACC’s two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one… more
Jul 09, 2024
Four convention centers across the U.S. are upping their game with new staff and labor training offerings, renovation projects, extended partnerships and property enhancements to improve the event experience for meetings and trade show guests and clients. Unions and Management Unite To Debut Trade Show Training Center in Philadelphia  To provide its staff and labor partners with training and skill-building in safety, technical skills development, customer service and hospitality, the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in Philadelphia has launched an onsite training center with a… more
Jun 18, 2024
Reaching $480 billion, the U.S. wellness market is growing at 5 to 10% per year, according to research by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. In fact, 82% of U.S. consumers consider wellness a priority in their everyday lives. As wellness trends up on the consumer side, how can business events incorporate healthy activities and food and beverage into their packed conference, networking and trade show schedules? To find out, more than 120 industry professionals — including meeting planners, press and Caesars Entertainment staff — gathered at the inaugural Global… more
Jun 14, 2024
At the crux of a vibrant, inclusive culture, an iconic skyline, and a booming tech culture is Seattle. The nearly 84-square-mile northwestern city — though best known for its coffee scene (it’s the hometown of Starbucks) — has a flourishing meetings and events landscape marked by LEED-certified hotels teeming with eco-friendly initiatives, local produce-forward culinary experiences, and more than a million square feet worth of gathering space to take advantage of. Here’s what’s new, noteworthy, nearly open, and more for meeting and event groups in Seattle. Plentiful Spaces to Meet: Seattle… more
Jun 04, 2024
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino completed a $100 million redesign of its 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center, designed to meet the needs and preferences of modern meetings and events. New and upgraded features include advanced technology infrastructure, additional digital signage, and a fresh, vibrant design that complements the 3,211-room Strip resort’s tropical ambiance. “Meetings and conventions play a pivotal role in the success of Las Vegas, and the revitalization of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center demonstrates our commitment to this critical piece of our city’s… more
May 29, 2024
What’s new in Palm Springs, Calif.? We’ve got the scoop of five new venues for events, including: The world’s first-ever Tommy Bahama resort that opened in November 2023 The Palm Springs Surf Club that opened in January The Thompson Hotel Palm Springs that’s slated to open in Q2 The Spa at Sec-he that opened in April 2023 The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum that opened in November 2023 If you are looking for a sunny locale in Southern California for your next event, Palm Springs, Calif., averages more than 350 days of sunshine and only five inches of rain each year. Located in Coachella… more
May 28, 2024
During a recent trip to Nashville, we visited six Hilton properties across their collection of brands – from luxury brands like the Conrad Nashville to boutique brands in the Curio Collection like Hotel Fraye.  We toured meeting spaces, hotel rooms and suites, lobbies, bars, restaurants and gyms (stay tuned for complete rundown), but here are eight cool trends we noted and experienced during our site visit. Hydration station. At the Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, guests can fill up their water bottles with complimentary sparkling, still or alkaline water. Partnering with Planet Water,… more
May 20, 2024
After more than three decades of operating on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Las Vegas will be shutting its doors on July 17. The landmark 3,044-room resort will undergo a three-year renovation and construction project that will transform the tropical-themed property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas. Expected to open in spring 2027, the new hotel-casino will feature a guitar-shaped, 660-foot hotel tower, similar to its sister property in Hollywood, Fla. “We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying… 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.