News

Mar 03, 2023
Freeman, a leading global event producer, and Sessionboard, a next-generation SaaS provider, announced a strategic partnership that provides Freeman customers with enhanced speaker and content management technology solutions.   The partnership is a testament to Freeman's mission to redefine live for a new era, whether virtual, in-person or hybrid, with a data-driven approach and the industry's largest network of experts, and Sessionboard's quest to simplify the complex workflows and disjointed communications that exist around speaker and content management. “Partnerships like… more
Mar 03, 2023
Early bird discounts are still popular, but half of trade show attendees are registering less than one month out, according to part two of TSNN’s attendee registration survey. According to the survey, 83 percent of show organizers offer early bird discounts or a limited number of tickets for attendee registration, while only 17 percent do not. “Early bird discounts continue to influence registration patterns, although attendees tend to register later in the show cycle now, which has shifted the early bird strategy on some events,” said Jacy Barker, senior director of marketing services at… more
Mar 01, 2023
Pre-teen girls certainly have a lot of things on their minds but hatching a business—let alone brainstorming best marketing practices for its success—ordinarily aren’t some of them. Cathy Schlosberg, however, was an extraordinary girl, and those were the exact thoughts swirling through her 12-year-old brain when she and her brother came up with the idea to launch a catering business servicing events for their parents and parents’ friends. “That’s where my career in marketing and hospitality began,” Schlosberg said of the catering operation in her hometown of Framingham, Mass. “We called… more
Feb 28, 2023
For a large B2B trade show, there’s nothing better than starting off a new year with robust, record-breaking participation. Case in point: Dallas Market Center’s January Apparel & Accessories Market, the largest U.S. marketplace for women’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Held Jan. 10-13, the venue’s largest event in years enjoyed an overall attendance increase versus pre-pandemic shows and featured an expanded marketplace of approximately 750 exhibitors, including new permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors.  In addition to overall participation gains, the January show welcomed… more
Feb 27, 2023
The U.S. will soon be getting a new global B2B event focused on data, analytics and machine learning and artificial intelligence (MLAI). Set to launch April 10-11, 2024 at Javits Center in New York City, Data Universe will bring together businesses and industry professionals representing the entire data universe, including analytics, MLAI, strategy, operations, governance and more.  Created and produced by leading global event producer RX, the annual education-led event will feature groundbreaking content and will build in collaboration with RX’s leading data event in the UK, Big Data LDN (… more
Feb 24, 2023
Leading event tech company Hubilo Technologies has purchased on-site event tech provider fielddrive in an effort to bolster its in-person event solutions. With access to greater resources, data and market insights, the combined company aims to deliver leading products and customer experiences as well as attract more top talent.  “The two companies combined really pools our products, expertise and talent, ensuring that we can deliver digital, hybrid and in-person events anywhere in the world,” said Vaibhav Jain, founder and CEO of Hubilo, adding that fielddrive will run as an independent… more
Feb 24, 2023
Taking place each February, Black History Month is an ideal time to honor and celebrate the achievements of Black people in the events industry and beyond and renew our commitment to continue fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). TSNN checked in with six industry leaders to find out how their organizations support the Black community and get their advice on championing DEI. Desirée Knight, Senior Director, Meetings and Events, American Psychological Association; 2023 Chair of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)   What tips would you share with fellow event… more
Feb 23, 2023
Are attendees at your trade show registering later than they did pre-pandemic? Don’t panic. You are not alone. According to a TSNN study conducted in February, 98 percent of show organizers reported that attendees are registering later for trade shows, compared with pre-pandemic times.  Show organizers have always dealt with attendees who registered late, but the pandemic seems to have pushed back timelines even more. After dealing with cancellations and postponements for 2-plus years, many show organizers have told us anecdotally they continue to be challenged with this lingering pandemic… more
Feb 22, 2023
More than 200,000 housing and design professionals from across the globe recently descended upon Las Vegas for the 10th annual Design & Construction Week (DCW), the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals. Held Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the massive event comprised the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the three co-dated industry shows: the National Hardware Show (NHS… more
Feb 20, 2023
Following an incredibly challenging period of unprecedented, pandemic-inflicted hardships, the hotel industry is making promising strides toward recovery. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2023 State of the Hotel Industry Report, this resilient industry is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels of demand, nominal room revenue and state and local tax revenue this year, while moving closer to other key 2019 performance metrics. However, with economic concerns such as inflation and borrowing costs, and operational challenges such as staffing shortages rising to the… more
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.