News

Apr 03, 2015
Bridging the gap between online and brick-and-mortal retail was the theme of GlobalShop 2015, the annual store design and retail marketing event that took place March 24-26 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.   As retailers look for ways to tap into the new consumer shopping preferences, the show is seeing strong growth. Pre-registration was up 25 percent, compared with 2014, which had come in at about 12,000 attendees. The show featured 760 exhibitors, including 200 new, and took up more than 215,000 square feet. “This is the biggest spike across all metrics in 15 years,”… more
Apr 02, 2015
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2014 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 250 trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage. The full, searchable list, sponsored this year exclusively by Expocad, can be found HERE. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG snagged the No. 1 spot on the 2014 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List with a 2,356,711 net square foot showfloor at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There were 2,… more
Mar 31, 2015
Unibail-Rodamco SE, Europe’s largest listed commercial property company,  and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris Ile-deFrance (CCIR) have entered into an agreement with U.K.-based private equity firm Charterhouse to take over Unibail’s 50 percent stake in Comexposium. This offer values Comexposium at €550 million ($816 million). Early in 2008, Unibail-Rodamco and the CCIR merged their convention and exhibition activities into two entities: Viparis, in charge of managing the venues, and Comexposium, in charge of the events organization business. Comexposium brought together… more
Mar 31, 2015
Not only has the American Society of Association Executives and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events expressed concern about the recent passing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana, but also Visit Indy, which represents the city of Indianapolis, is worried about the act’s possible impact. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's ability to practice his or her religion, but opponents say it opens the door to possible discrimination. “Since February, we have opposed Indiana’s RFRA bill, a bill… more
Mar 30, 2015
USITT 2015 broke all previous attendance records, attracting nearly 5,500 people to Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Center last week for the backstage industry’s annual event. More than 280 exhibitors were at booths with state-of-the-art entertainment products for the largest Stage Expo ever – and 170-plus already have signed on for USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City. “So many people told us this was their best conference experience ever,” said USITT Executive Director David Grindle. He added, “We are very proud to be known for a show that shines in quality, excitement, and customer service.” USITT 2015… more
Mar 30, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives expects nearly 5,500 nonprofit and association professionals to come together Aug. 8-11 for the 2015 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, which will be held at Detroit’s newly renovated Cobo Center. How can associations harness fresh approaches to all aspects of their work? Opening general speaker Josh Linkner, a business leader, venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur and author, will discuss a systematic process he discovered that increases creativity and produces results. At the opening keynote, attendees will walk away with practical… more
Mar 29, 2015
1.       Customer experience Customer experience rather than brand loyalty is taking center stage globally. More resources are being channeled than ever before into online, social media and face-to-face customer service. According to Gartner, by 2017, 50 percent of consumer product investments will be redirected to customer experience innovations. Consumers will bring similar customer service expectations to the events they attend. 2.       Interactive marketing These days, customers expect to be active participants in the success… more
Mar 29, 2015
SourceDirect at ASD (SourceDirect) has unveiled its brand new, fully-functional website, sourcedirectshow.com. The website serves the SourceDirect community as a virtual resource for importers, distributors, wholesalers, sourcing and product development professionals who have, or are interested in, doing business directly with manufacturers around the world. The new site provides extensive content and 24/7 access to both buyers and suppliers about the SourceDirect show. Launched in 2013, SourceDirect is a part of ASD MARKETWeek, the largest general merchandise, wholesale trade show… more
Mar 29, 2015
1.       Customer experience Customer experience rather than brand loyalty is taking center stage globally. More resources are being channeled than ever before into online, social media and face-to-face customer service. According to Gartner, by 2017, 50 percent of consumer product investments will be redirected to customer experience innovations. Consumers will bring similar customer service expectations to the events they attend. 2.       Interactive marketing These days, customers expect to be active participants in the success… more
Mar 29, 2015
SourceDirect at ASD (SourceDirect) has unveiled its brand new, fully-functional website, sourcedirectshow.com. The website serves the SourceDirect community as a virtual resource for importers, distributors, wholesalers, sourcing and product development professionals who have, or are interested in, doing business directly with manufacturers around the world. The new site provides extensive content and 24/7 access to both buyers and suppliers about the SourceDirect show. Launched in 2013, SourceDirect is a part of ASD MARKETWeek, the largest general merchandise, wholesale trade show… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.