News

Jul 07, 2016
The 2016 Dwell on Design (DOD) Los Angeles conference ran June 24–26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and saw great attendance for the show’s 11h year. “We have seen great growth and changes over the last 11 years,” said Michela O’Connor Abrams, CEO of Dwell. “This has been an amazing year for us, starting with the great partnership with UK based Informa. It is hard to believe we already have a year under our belt, and the new ownership has brought such collaboration and inspiration as a team. We are now looking at the show through a global lens, and targeting 2018 as the year to take DOD… more
Jul 07, 2016
The plastics industry was still in its infancy when the first National Plastics Exposition (NPE) opened its doors in April 1946 at the Grand Central Palace in New York. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) was founded in 1937. Organizers realized industry professionals needed a place to meet face-to-face and discover the latest technology in real-life machinery, materials, and processed goods all in one place at one time. So once World War II ended, the opportunity to demonstrate equipment operating in front of an audience of thousands became a reality. Plastics were a… more
Jul 06, 2016
The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) has selected Brad Mayne as its new president and CEO, effective July 19. Mayne also will serve as the president and CEO of the IAVM Foundation. “Throughout his career, Brad has garnered respect from every facet of our industry,” said Karen Totaro, CFE, IAVM chair. “He has worked across sectors in various leadership roles, including within IAVM, which have earned him awards and praise. We are excited to have him take over the helm of IAVM.” IAVM represents public assembly venues from around the globe. IAVM's active members include managers… more
Jul 05, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson In a 1996 article published in the Harvard Business Review, “The Future of Interactive Marketing”, the authors noted, “Clearly, marketing’s tool kit is experiencing unsettling amounts of innovation today. The boom in direct and database marketing, the dawning of electronic commerce, new ways to automate sales force management, and the sudden blossoming of the World Wide Web all suggest that the discipline is under pressure to reshape.” In honor of TSNN’s 20th anniversary, we’re taking a look at some of the marketing tactics events used in 1996 and comparing them to today… more
Jul 02, 2016
With 20-plus years in the trade show industry, Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, currently is executive vice president and COO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). At IAEE, she has responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the association, including overseeing marketing and communications, membership, education, conventions and events, and administration. In addition, she also serves as the managing director of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), whose primary purpose is to promote the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face… more
Jun 29, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has opened the 2016 Art of the Show Competition and entries are being accepted through Sept. 30. The IAEE Art of the Show Competition recognizes excellence in the development of promotional and marketing materials for exhibitions and events. This year, IAEE has expanded the competition to include a new category: Social Media Campaign. The remaining category descriptions have been significantly expanded which in turn brings clarity to the judging criteria. “It is always exciting to see the innovative ways in which our… more
Jun 29, 2016
“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity,” and similar sentiments from SHOT Show exhibitors were repeatedly exchanged with National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) staff at the conclusion of the 3rd annual SHOT Show Exhibitor Academy. This year’s Academy was held June 20-22 at the Sands Expo  Convention Center and was attended by more than 100 SHOT Show exhibitors. The Exhibitor Academy is the brainchild of ConvExx, the show management firm who won the bid to manage SHOT Show beginning in 2014. ConvExx created their first Exhibitor Academy for the SEMA show during the height of… more
Jun 27, 2016
The 2016 BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology, concluded today at Moscone Center in San Francisco, with his year’s convention hosting 35,700 partnering meetings, a new record for the event. Organized by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the event drew 15,937 industry leaders from 76 countries and 48 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “This year’s BIO International Convention was a tremendous success, and together we challenged ourselves to imagine a better world for patients, for the environment and… more
Jun 27, 2016
Wonder Woman, with its feature film coming out next year, led the parade of characters and other licensable properties at the 36th annual Licensing International Expo that took place June 21-23 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Produced by UBM and sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), the show boasted an extra 10,000 net square feet, with a total of about 240,000. More than 460 exhibitors represented some 5,000 brands. Attendance was expected to be on par with last year at about 16,000. “LIMA recently announced that the market has… more
Jun 27, 2016
HMP Communications Holdings, LLC, a leading provider of healthcare content and continuing medical education events, today announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with two prominent meetings providing education to a multidisciplinary audience: the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) and the Symposium on Clinical Interventional Oncology (CIO). “This alliance is consistent with two of our strategic goals: growing our healthcare events portfolio and expanding our presence in new therapeutic areas,” said Jeff Hennessy, chairman and CEO, HMP Communications… 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.