News

Nov 07, 2023
Throughout the U.S. and across the pond, trade show-related organizations are welcoming fresh leadership, placing industry veterans at the helm of venues, event production and technology companies and destination management organizations. Take a look!  Clarion Events North America  Clarion Events North America recently added to its leadership team with the appointment of Nicole Peck as executive vice president of the Digital Innovation Portfolio, which includes Clarion’s flagship technology innovation brand, InsureTech Connect (ITC Vegas) and the premier mobile app marketing event, Mobile… more
Nov 06, 2023
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has selected trade show industry veteran Karen Chupka to succeed Chris Brown as the association’s managing director and executive vice president of global connections and events, effective Jan. 1. After 25 years of service to the organization, Brown announced in July that he is transitioning out of NAB following the 2024 NAB Show, which is set for April 14-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Chupka comes to NAB following 33 years of leadership experience with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), including as executive vice president of… more
Nov 06, 2023
The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative has published "Best Practices for Decarbonization Pathways" to provide actionable insights and strategies that can be implemented immediately by event organizers, venues, exhibitors and suppliers. The document is available free to download here.  The interim document provides best practices for venue energy, smart production and waste management, food and food waste, logistics and travel and accommodation. The document highlights actions to help event organizations gain a head start on their decarbonization journey. Full guidance documents are set for… more
Nov 03, 2023
Held Oct. 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the 12th edition of IMEX America was the largest ever in terms of attendance and number of booths. The event featured 360 booths and nearly 15,000 confirmed participants, of which more than 5,000 were buyers. Those buyers, of which one-fifth represented the corporate sector, took part in more than 80,000 pre-scheduled meetings in three days, of which 73,000 were one-to-ones with exhibitors.   The show boasted a 20% increase in space taken by exhibitors and a 9% increase in the number of booths, according to an IMEX press… more
Nov 02, 2023
London-based marketing, content production and event management services provider TEMBO has unveiled TEMBO TECHNIQUES, a new training and development service designed to equip event professionals with the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed in conference production and event marketing. With an emphasis on interactivity and hands-on learning to help empower team members to learn through practical experience, TEMBO’s training portfolio will encompass a wide array of courses, with an option to tailor bespoke training solutions to meet specific business needs, according to TEMBO… more
Nov 01, 2023
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, kicked off its 90th UFI Global Congress today in Las Vegas — the first time for the global gathering to meet in the U.S. — with a member vote during its annual General Assembly to approve the launch of a North America chapter.  Exhibition Place Toronto General Manager Laura Purdy will chair the new chapter together with vice chairs Kim Carcone, executive vice president, global market events for the Toy Association, and Pepe Navarro, director general for Tarsus/Informa. UFI will work with MAD Event Management, a trade show management… more
Nov 01, 2023
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies At Honeycomb Strategies, our data-based approach to sustainability says you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Quantitative metrics aid in setting realistic goals, tracking progress towards their achievement and transparent reporting. So, we’ve compiled a list of five data points that are vital to tracking sustainable progress for events.  1. Waste Diversion from Landfill Events can generate a lot of waste, and without a good strategy much of it can wind up in the landfill. Landfills release methane through decomposition, which traps even… more
Oct 31, 2023
Held Oct. 27-28, the 2023 TSNN Awards drew about 140 attendees to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for two days of celebration, education and living “boricua,” a spirit, flavor and rhythm honoring the island’s heritage.  "The 2023 TSNN Awards Gala was a magical night, with awards given out to all of the overall Innovation winners, Outstanding Show Pros and the DEI, Industry Support and Industry Icon honorees," said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. "The energy was electric, with salsa dancers kicking off the night with a fantastic performance, followed by a night filled with incredible food, music and… more
Oct 30, 2023
Weeks before Web Summit is set to welcome 70,000 attendees to Portugal, the event’s founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave resigned on Oct. 21 amid backlash for his social media posts suggesting Israel was committing war crimes. A number of major exhibiting companies — including Intel, Meta, Google and Siemens — pulled out of the trade show, even after Cosgrave released a blog post denouncing the Hamas attacks and apologizing for his personal tweets that triggered the firestorm.  The company, which also produces Collision Conference in North America, will appoint a new CEO, and Web Summit will go… more
Oct 27, 2023
With a network of over 185 members across the U.S. and Canada, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is preparing for a new era as Julie Kagy assumes the role of executive director, taking over from the retiring Larry Arnaudet, effective Jan. 1. Arnaudet, a veteran with more than five decades of experience in the meetings and conventions industry, will be stepping down from his role as executive director. His retirement marks the end of an illustrious career, characterized by his invaluable contributions to ESCA and his unwavering dedication to its mission. ESCA… 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.