News
Mar 29, 2018
For the first time in Freeman’s 90-year history, a non-family member was named its fourth CEO – Bob Priest-Heck.
“We are focused on building our clients’ brands and helping them succeed in a dynamic environment by creating meaningful brand experiences that help build relationships and drive clear and measurable outcomes,” said Joe Popolo, CEO of The Freeman Company, the newly created parent company that encompasses Freeman, Encore Event Technologies and Alford Media.
He added, “Bob is no stranger to this, having previously served as the president of Freeman. He has a history of driving… more
Mar 28, 2018
Robots sparring with light sabers, t-shirts printed on the spot for a good cause, genetic testing companies and lots and lots of AR and VR were just a few of the highlights at the South by Southwest (SXSW) main trade show that ran March 11-14 at the Austin (Texas) Convention Center.
This trade show actually was just one of many that ran during the two-week SXSW main event that drew together 70,000+ attendees in the interactive, film and music industries for parties, brand activations, sessions and keynotes.
TSNN touched base with Brittani Mathis, senior exhibitions manager, before SXSW… more
Mar 28, 2018
Michael Fetter has been hired as the director of marketing in the Marketing Communications department for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Before coming to the bureau, Fetter was a media buyer for Bandy Carroll Hellige (BCH), as well as a marketing manager for Phoenix Process Equipment Company where he oversaw all strategic marketing and communications plans.
Fetter returned to BCH in 2016 as an account manager, with the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau among his clients.
He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in… more
Mar 27, 2018
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not-for-profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has launched 2018 nominations for its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a lifetime honor,” said Marie-Claire Andrews, AWE board member and chair of the AWE Awards Committee. “It doesn’t begin and end with a simple recognition, rather our winners will be part of our community and celebrated long-term!”
This is the program’s second year. See 2017 inductees here.
The program… more
Mar 27, 2018
In an effort to further the mission of its members, the International Housewares Association (IHA) has selected Ungerboeck Software as its new event management solution provider.
“We wanted a turnkey system that will provide IHA with streamlined operations to increase productivity and improved reporting with data analytics,” explained Dean P. Kurtis, vice president of finance and information technology of IHA, which produces the International Home + Housewares Show and represents more than 1,700 member companies.
According to Kurtis, after evaluating a myriad of options, IHA’s team… more
Mar 27, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the first study in its newest research report series for event attendee marketers, “How to Grow Attendance.”
Focused on planning and goal setting to help position an attendee marketing campaign for success, Report One: Planning and Goal Setting that Positions Efforts for Success provides benchmarks for all phases of a marketing campaign, documents the most popular attendee marketing approaches used by show organizers and pinpoints characteristics where attendee growth is achieved.
According to Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR, the “… more
Mar 23, 2018
Cincinnati Magazine has purchased Cincinnati Baby & Beyond Expo from Hart Productions.
Set for Sept. 15-16 at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the annual consumer show for moms, moms-to-be, parents and extended family attracts more than 10,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibiting companies featuring the latest in baby gear, clothing and accessories, along with onsite child and health care experts and interactive activities to keep kids entertained.
According to Ivy Bayer, publisher of Cincinnati Magazine, which has produced the expo’s program since its inception… more
Mar 22, 2018
Freeman has launched Blueprint, a web-based floor plan management system designed to transform the way show organizers plan, manage and sell event booth space.
Originally launched in 2009 as ShowPlans in the European, Middle Eastern and Asian markets and now released in the U.S. with new features, the re-branded platform delivers real-time visibility into booth availability during the sales process while helping to improve show planning efficiency.
While manual floor planning can be a time-consuming and error-prone process, Blueprint solves this issue by creating and storing digital floor… more
Mar 21, 2018
The Expo Group, an exhibitions and events partner that invests in growth, is now accepting nominations from across the industry for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards. The awards program annually recognizes great leaders in events and trade shows.
“Honorees of the SMOTY Awards wow everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said President and COO of The Expo Group Randy Pekowski.
He added, “This awards program is a way for us all to recognize people who don’t always receive accolades in the press or within our industry associations. By presenting these… more
Mar 21, 2018
Reflecting the dynamic growth of the manufacturing industry in Latin America, EXPO MANUFACTURA, the annual trade show and conference for the manufacturing and processing industry in Mexico, recently pulled off its largest show to date at CINTERMEX in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Held Feb.6-8 under the theme “Manufacturing 4.0: Maximum Productivity and Competitiveness,” the 22nd edition of the three-day trade show and conference boasted a five percent increase in attendance with more than 12,944 industry professionals and 336 exhibiting companies showcasing 600 brands and technology… 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.