News

May 29, 2019
When Brad Dean, previously president and CEO of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly two decades, had the opportunity to take the reins as CEO of the newly formed Discover Puerto Rico in May 2018, it seemed to be the perfect fit. After all, his wife was from the island; he knew the area somewhat well; and he’s never been one to shy away from a challenge — which was important, because he certainly had his work cut out for him. We caught up with Dean, who just received the 2019 Destinations International Destination Organization Leadership Award, to learn about the progress he’s… more
May 29, 2019
Digital invitation platform Evite has launched Evite Pro, a new custom platform designed to simplify and streamline the event planning and execution process for professional event organizers. Evite Pro allows planners to manage the entirety of an event, including designing and sending invitations, tracking attendee status, managing ongoing guest communications, and accessing event analytics including deliverability and RSVP rate with real-time data. Geared to meet the needs of small- to mid-size companies, the new platform allows planners to invite up to 2,500 guests per event, see who has… more
May 28, 2019
You know that incorporating corporate social responsibility activities during your events can be a win-win all around – for your attendees, charities in destinations that host your events, the destinations themselves, and of course, your organization. Yet you might be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.  While incorporating CSR can seem daunting, there are more resources than ever available to support planners in this process. To help inspire you to take that next step, Tammi Runzler, co-founder of CSRConnections, a corporate social responsibility company that helps match up… more
May 24, 2019
Tarsus Group, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, has received an offer and reached agreement with Charterhouse Capital Partners, a U.K. based private equity firm that previously owned Paris-based exhibitions company Comexposium. Under the offer, Tarsus shareholders will receive 425 pence in cash per share plus the final dividend for 2018 of 7.7p per share, subject to its approval by shareholders at the upcoming AGM. Commenting on the acquisition, Neville Buch, Tarsus’s Chairman, said: "I am delighted to announce that the Independent Tarsus Directors have reached… more
May 23, 2019
Industry veteran David Beckett is no stranger to events, having worked with Experient – a Maritz Global Events Company for the better part of the last two decades. Yet the former Clevelander, now Seattleite, this spring joined the team at Eventcore — a company providing enterprise-level event registration technology software — as senior vice president of professional services. His main role is to oversee the quality of service delivery with Eventcore’s clients and partners. TSNN sat down with Beckett in the midst of his big move out West to get his take on the latest trends and technologies… more
May 22, 2019
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has selected business and event technology provider SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals as the official audiovisual services contractor for Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2019, the association’s annual trade show and conference for exhibition and event industry professionals. At Expo! Expo!, which is set for Dec. 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, SmartSource will provide audiovisual equipment and production, digital signage and computer equipment. It will contract directly with… more
May 22, 2019
PCMA EduCon 2019 will take place June 25-28 at JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live. Known among PCMA’s portfolio of events for taking a more focused, practical approach to learning through small-scale, collaborative education sessions, the conference will bring in around 800 attendees (compared to PCMA’s annual Convening Leaders events, which draws 4,500). “At EduCon, each person will be able to tailor programs specifically for her own needs, in the format that best suits his learning style,” said Tonya Almond, PCMA’s vice president of knowledge and experience design. The conference will… more
May 21, 2019
In the past several years, C-level marketers across all industry segments have been putting more emphasis on — and budget toward — digital and experiential marketing, says Chris Cavanaugh, chief marketing officer at Freeman. Freeman, once known as Freeman Decorating Services, has long been known for exhibition logistics management and has grown into an experiential marketing powerhouse. According to the recent Ad Age Annual Agency report, which gives Freeman strong rankings, the experiential marketing category grew 2.1 percent in the U.S. over the past year, outpacing the “all marketing… more
May 21, 2019
It’s been a busy spring for the trade show industry so far, with event companies and organizations forging new business relationships and securing existing partnerships. SEMA Sticks with onPeak SEMA is continuing its partnership with onPeak to provide SEMA Show participants with housing options at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas for the 2019 show, set for Nov. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and the option to cancel without penalty, according to SEMA officials. “Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of… more
May 20, 2019
Is face-to-face marketing still relevant, and are there plans to use it moving forward? What is the image of the business-to-business exhibition channel today? A new report from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research aims to answer those questions — and more — from the perspective of marketing leaders. The first in the new “Head of Marketing Insights” series, “Overview of Marketing and Sales Approaches, Most Urgent Objectives, and Brand Image of the B2B Exhibition Channel to Support Needs” examines the perception of B2B exhibitions as a marketing channel. The report draws from survey… 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.