News

May 03, 2018
Transform USA has lined up an impressive array of event industry leaders to lead panel discussions and break-out sessions at its upcoming event, set for July 18 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.   Senior leaders of association, for-profit and corporate exhibitions and venues who are in attendance will have a chance to hear and engage with thought leaders from Clarion/UX, ReedPOP, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Reed Exhibitions and North American Veterinary Conference who will be focusing on how show organizers will be using data, analytics and digital to shape their events,… more
May 03, 2018
GES has named Jay Altizer president of its North America division, effective May 14. Altizer will lead GES’ exhibition and exhibit program business in the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on accelerating growth. He brings extensive management experience, including operational excellence, business development and product innovation. Altizer successfully has led teams at Dean Foods, PepsiCo and Bain & Company. Altizer will report directly to Steve Moster, president of GES, and president and CEO of Viad. “Jay has distinguished himself throughout his career as a strategic and creative… more
May 03, 2018
Enterprise event management company Cvent has announced that it will acquire mobile event app provider QuickMobile. The acquisition is expected to close before the end of May 2018. The addition of QuickMobile's technology will help Cvent expand its Event Cloud Platform's mobile capabilities, providing mobile apps for events of all sizes. Together, the organizations will: Serve more than 25,500 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 100 Deliver 16.7 million app downloads Offer over 950 product support professionals to ensure customer success Reggie Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Cvent,… more
May 03, 2018
If popular new features and satisfied exhibitors were any indication, the third edition of PACK EXPO East proved to be its most comprehensive and successful yet. Held April 16-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the show attracted more than 6,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies spanning nearly 100,000 net square feet of expo space. Launched in 2015 to provide Northeast packing and processing professionals with the opportunity to experience the latest in technology and innovative solutions; exchange ideas with leading industry suppliers; access cutting-edge… more
May 02, 2018
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Diversified Business Communications’ Mary Larkin as president of UFI for 2020. This decision was made at the board meeting during the UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 85th UFI Global Congress, which runs from Oct. 31- Nov. 3 in St. Petersburg. Corrado Peraboni, UFI’s current president, welcomed the election of Larkin, saying: “I congratulate Mary Larkin for being elected as the new UFI incoming President. It will be a great privilege for me to be part of the presidential trio, together with… more
May 01, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrates another successful Women’s Leadership Forum April 30-May 1 at the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf in Washington, D.C. More than 220 attendees sold out this year’s event, which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career. The 2018 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Jennifer Hoff, CEM, president, Taffy Event Strategies during the forum. “Jen took a leap of faith when she launched Taffy Event Strategies. She knew she had the knowledge, skills, and a bit of courage to be… more
May 01, 2018
May 25 is the day that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect. The GDPR provides EU citizens specific privacy rights regarding the collection, storage, transfer and use of their personally identifiable information. Non-compliance with the GDPR may result in significant fines and penalties of “up to €20 million, or 4% of the worldwide annual revenue of the prior financial year, whichever is higher,” according to the GDPR’s regulation 2016/679. In March, I attended a roundtable event co-hosted by Key Events and Lenos Software on GDPR compliance and how it will affect… more
Apr 29, 2018
While planning an event in an industry, show organizers quickly learn the leading voices of that industry. These voices influence large communities and offer a type of credibility brands themselves cannot. As a result, marketers have quickly engaged in “influencer marketing campaigns.”   “Influencers are a class of individuals who naturally attract emulation by their behaviors, relationships or opinions,” said Tamar Beck, CEO of Gleanin, an influencer marketing platform.   Ed Several, senior vice president of Reed Exhibitions-Americas, defines event influencers as any attendee or exhibiting… more
Apr 26, 2018
B2B eCommerce company, NuORDER, has launched Online Trade Show, a digital B2B marketplace where wholesale buyers can discover new brands, browse digital brand catalogs and place orders on demand anywhere and anytime from any mobile web browser.  Designed to be a digital continuation of the expo floor that compliments the physical trade show experience, the new platform offers buyers the discovery element experienced at live shows while enabling them to connect and conduct business with brands online both during and after the event.  Officially unveiled in December, Online Trade Show… more
Apr 26, 2018
In a continuing effort to enhance its international business relationships, World Trade Center Las Vegas recently signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) at the 49thWorld Trade Center Association General Assembly in the Netherlands with host World Trade Center Leeuwarden, World Trade Center Twente and World Trade Center Denver. The agreements encourage Las Vegas to co-market with the three cities under the WTCA’s expansive brand to create access to key trade information and market research as well as facilitate business trade missions around the world.  “Following a record-breaking… 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.