News
Dec 04, 2018
By Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO
2018 has become a memorable year for the exhibition and business events industry around the world – with much of the attention on M&A, on changing event formats or “festivalisation”, and on a changing global landscape.
As every year, the UFI team has used our association’s Global Congress as well as many separate conversations all around the world to isolate and identify the core themes that we feel will impact the global exhibition industry in 2019. So today, let me share with you “UFI’s 5 trends to watch in 2019”:
Shifting trade patterns and a jittery… more
Dec 04, 2018
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with Balluun, has launched CONEXPO Connect, an online B2B marketplace serving the global construction industry.
The new platform was unveiled at the AEM Annual Conference, held Nov. 28-30 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca.
Powered by Balluun’s digital market network solution, CONEXPO Connect is an online destination that allows equipment manufacturers and contractors to connect and engage 24/7, 365 days a year.
By bringing the most valuable parts of AEM’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show online, CONEXPO Connect… more
Dec 04, 2018
Speak with Tammi Runzler for just a few minutes and it’s obvious she’s one of those special individuals with a deep passion for making a difference. A 30-year veteran of the meetings, events and destination marketing industries, Runzler recently co-founded CSRconnections, a corporate social responsibility program planning company that connects organizations with customized CSR opportunities designed to engage attendees while positively impacting the destinations that host their events.
As an enthusiastic proponent of CSR at events, I was excited to sit down with Runzler to hear about her… more
Dec 04, 2018
Diversified Communications has added Digital Construction Week to its building, construction and technology portfolio of events.
Known as the U.K.’s leading trade show dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing and operation, Digital Construction Week complements Diversified’s event portfolio with market reach across four countries, including GEO Business in London; Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Amsterdam; DesignBUILD in Sydney and in the U.S.: AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference and SPAR 3D in Anaheim, CA; International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver and… more
Dec 03, 2018
U.K.-based Tarsus Group has promoted Tarsus Media President Rachel Wimberly to EVP of Business Development, Tarsus US.
As part of her new role, Wimberly will oversee mergers and acquisitions in the Tarsus U.S. trade show division.
“Tarsus has expanded rapidly in the Americas in the last few years with the addition of connect, EJ Krause Mexico, Expo Restaurante and ETourism,” said Tarsus Group Managing Director Douglas Emslie.
He added, “We have plans to continue to add to Tarsus’s largest geographic division and have appointed Rachel Wimberly to lead the charge. As well as continuing as… more
Nov 30, 2018
The winners of the IBTM World 2018 Tech Watch Awards were announced at the IBTM World event in Barcelona this week. Zenus and Fielddrive were the joint recipients of the Tech Watch Award, while Kubify took home the inaugural “People’s Choice” award for its Learning Toolbox.
A panel of well-known industry experts selected Zenus and Fielddrive for their pioneering and impactful work in bringing facial recognition software to the events industry.
“Zenus is the creator of the software and Fielddrive has been a significant implementor of the product by exploring and measuring the onsite best… more
Nov 29, 2018
In a significant mergers and acquisitions deal on the supplier side of the trade show industry, Personify, a provider of technology solutions for associations and non-profit organizations, has acquired a2z, Inc., an award-winning events management and optimization platform for event planners and show organizers.
The acquisition provides Personify and a2z clients with an enhanced constituent experience, improved productivity in back office processes and increased connectivity with their members, donors and event attendees, according to company officials.
“I am delighted to have a2z join… more
Nov 29, 2018
Reed Exhibitions (RX) has postponed its Agenda Winter Long Beach trade show and will transform the event into a consumer experience.
Originally scheduled for Jan. 3-4 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Ca., Agenda Long Beach has been considered one of the preeminent B2B events in the action sports and streetwear industries for more than 15 years, according to RX officials.
Announced last month, the decision to postpone and reimagine the show was made after careful consideration and feedback from the show’s exhibiting brands, retailers and media, according to Ron Walden, RX… more
Nov 29, 2018
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will organise four events for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SEMs) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) next month.
The SmartBiz Expo and Hong Kong International Franchising Show will take place from 5th to 7th December. More than 520 exhibitors from about 40 countries and regions will join the second edition of SmartBiz Expo, showcasing the latest business solutions, technology applications and operational support serving SMEs in the region. The Franchising Show, now in its fourth edition, will feature some 130… more
Nov 28, 2018
Organised by Media 10, Best of British 2018 closed on 21st October at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Nearly 300 brands, covering British fashion, design, travel, education, technology, innovation, food and beverage products were showcased at the four-day show.
According to the organiser, 28,385 visitors attended the show, including 5,488 trade buyers and 5,747 VIP guests. The visitors experienced well-known British brands as well as new brands entering the Chinese market for the first time. The show was supported by: the British Consulate-General Shanghai, the Department for International… 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.