News

Sep 09, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson With the rise of digital entertainment options and the fall of attention spans, now just eight seconds on average, engaging attendees beyond a trade show or event has never been more important, or challenging.  Year-round attendee engagement has become critical for building a strong event brand and maintaining attendee retention rates.  On Event Manager Blog, Kerry Creaswood explained how engagement adds power to events. She wrote, “Event marketing is no longer about creating sales pitch opportunities. It’s about getting customers to form a connection with a… more
Sep 06, 2016
The 4th edition of Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) was held Sept. 2-4 at Hall D, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao. Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and other co-organisers include Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Women’s General Association of Macau, the show’s purpose was to highlight Macau’s competitiveness as an international travel destination for overseas tourists. The three-day event also was supported by the China National Tourism Administration. More than 135… more
Sep 06, 2016
For the past 15 years, Messe Frankfurt has established a strong foothold in the thriving Chinese market and now is widely represented in a number of subsidiaries and joint ventures in Greater China. One such division is Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, Messe Frankfurt’s first branch in Mainland China established in 2002. T he Shanghai office has expanded in scale in recent years to employ more than 130 employees, with 40 more in its Beijing auxiliary office. To accommodate this growing number of staff, the Shanghai office moved to a new premises in June 2016. The new office is located in… more
Sep 06, 2016
The trade show industry has a history of being generous to its surrounding communities, and a few companies recently have lent a helping hand to those in need. SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., continues to be a strong supporter of Long Island Cares, the nonprofit organization based in the same town and founded by the late Harry Chapin, which brings together resources to benefit the hungry on Long Island and meet other vital humanitarian needs. SmartSource, which has a longstanding tradition of raising funds and volunteerism on behalf of Long… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Shenyang New World EXPO (EXPO) is only days from its special opening. The new venue will host China’s Annual National Planning Conference 2016 (ANPC) Sept. 24-26. Current advance registrations ensure that more than 7,000 delegates will attend the event from throughout China. Cliff Wallace, chairman of the EXPO’s private management and operating company said, “To host this prestigious event as EXPO’s opening event while celebrating the 60th anniversary Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) as a part of the event is very special for our professional management team.” ANPC is being… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Future of Events was meant to be a launch, scheduled Aug. 22-24 in Amsterdam, but every starter event’s worst nightmare occurred when organizers decided they needed to cancel it a month beforehand. A stellar line up of speakers had been scheduled, airline tickets and hotel accommodations were made. Despite the last-minute setback, some long-time event professionals banded together and decided to hold a brand new event any way, and it would all be online. “(We didn’t want) to lose the chance to have a brain date with the thought leaders of our industry that were scheduled to come to this… more
Sep 06, 2016
Despite the global exhibitions market experiencing a slowdown in 2015, the Indonesian tradeshow market continues to accelerate, offering lucrative opportunities for international organizers and investors, as reported in Globex 2016: the global exhibition organizing market: assessment and forecast to 2020, produced annually by AMR International. “For the first time we dedicated an entire chapter on the Indonesian exhibitions market because it’s an underserved market that shows no signs of slowing,” said Diana Gineva, editor of Globex 2016. Since 2011, Indonesia has grown at close to 13 person… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) under the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region released its MICE statistics in Macao for the quarter ended 30th June 2016.  A total of 318 MICE events were held in the quarter, including 292 meetings & conferences, 18 exhibitions and 8 incentive events. The total number of MICE participants was 451,000. The 18 exhibitions attracted a total of 392,000 attendees, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.1%. The average duration of the exhibitions was 3.4 days and the total floor area used was 85,000 m2 – up by 27.4% respectively… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Thailand Incentive and Meeting Exchange (TIME) 2016, organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), took place in Bangkok and Phuket from 16th to 21st August. Focused on the Chinese market, the inaugural event consisted of three activities: a knowledge exchange, a business exchange and an experience exchange. The TIME Knowledge Exchange was an educational forum held in Bangkok where Chinese industry players were invited to talk about conducting MICE business activities in China. More than 150 Thai MICE industry professionals attended the forum including representatives… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Brisbane Boat Show was held from 19th to 21st August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC). Displaying water craft and other accessories, more than 70 organisations covering boats and boat activities such as fishing, water skiing, wake boarding, personal water craft and canoeing are participating in the three-day show. Representatives from Maritime Safety Queensland, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Water Police and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard set-up a counter to educate visitors about boating… 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.