News

Oct 06, 2014
The Federal Communications Commission has fined Marriott International and Marriott Hotel Services $600,000 for blocking Wi-Fi at events in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. The FCC Enforcement Bureau’s investigation revealed that Marriott employees had used containment features of a Wi-Fi monitoring system at the Gaylord Opryland to prevent individuals from connecting to the Internet via their own personal Wi-Fi networks, while at the same time charging consumers, small businesses and exhibitors as much as $1,000 per device to access Marriott’s Wi-Fi network. The… more
Oct 05, 2014
Global Spectrum, facility managers of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall, awarded a contract to Smart City Networks to manage all technology and telecommunications services for both venues. Global Spectrum chose Smart City Networks due to their industry experience and depth of resources.  Smart City and Global Spectrum currently work together at two other convention venues in Cincinnati and Miami Beach. The five-year contract took effect on Sept. 1. “We are extremely honored to have been chosen by Global Spectrum to provide telecommunications services for these… more
Oct 05, 2014
Global Spectrum, facility managers of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall, awarded a contract to Smart City Networks to manage all technology and telecommunications services for both venues. Global Spectrum chose Smart City Networks due to their industry experience and depth of resources.  Smart City and Global Spectrum currently work together at two other convention venues in Cincinnati and Miami Beach. The five-year contract took effect on Sept. 1. “We are extremely honored to have been chosen by Global Spectrum to provide telecommunications services for these… more
Oct 02, 2014
Two industries that couldn’t be more different – Natural Products Expo East and the Great American Trucking Show - both saw increases on the showfloor at their recent events. NPE East, owned by Penton’s New Hope Natural Media, the East Coast's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, brought together more than 23,000 attendees and 1,277 exhibitors Sept. 17-20 at the Baltimore (Md.) Convention Center. Adam Andersen, show director, Natural Products Expos said, "We are very pleased to be the conduit where passionate, innovative natural products manufacturers bring healthy solutions… more
Oct 02, 2014
The 5th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence will feature a bevy of well-known personalities, including CEO of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise – Len Komoroski, who will give the luncheon keynote; Celebrity Chef Michael Symon, who will host the Sunday Brunch; and Meteorologist Betsy Kling, who will be the event’s emcee. All three will take part in a celebratory weekend Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland that will kick off Friday night with an opening party and afterglow, with a conference and luncheon the next day, followed by the awards gala and afterglow that evening and capped… more
Oct 02, 2014
A few days ago, David DuBois, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events, sent out an e-mail giving several compelling reasons the industry should support the research done by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The fundraising efforts went into hyper drive, after a return e-mail to the origiginal from DuBois was sent by Chris Brown, executive vice president of Conventions & Business Operations for the National Association of Broadcasters, pledging $50,000 on behalf of his organization, which was quickly followed by Chris Dolnack, senior vice… more
Oct 01, 2014
U.K.-based UBM has agreed to buy Advanstar Communications for $972 Million from hedge fund Anchorage Capital Group LLC and private equity companies Veronis Suhler Stevenson and Ares Management. The deal will make it the largest trade show organizer in the United States. “This is a great acquisition for UBM and its shareholders. In addition to being financially attractive, it strengthens UBM’s core events business, while balancing and complementing UBM’s strong events portfolio in emerging markets,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold. He added, “UBM will become the largest events organizer in the US –… more
Sep 29, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – "The Big Bang Theory of Event Content Marketing". The webinar will be held Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. EST and you can register HERE. Your event’s content is likely it’s most valuable asset. Your presenters spend countless hours planning, researching, writing and preparing groundbreaking information to deliver to your attendees. And yet, that valuable content only gets exposed for an hour or 75 minutes. Then, it’s gone from sight. Show organizers need to make their content last beyond the… more
Sep 29, 2014
Have you nominated your favorite show organizer to be named Show Manager of the Year? Nominations are accepted at no charge online HERE. The deadline is Sept. 30. The awards will be presented this year at the TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) industry celebration!  Since 2000, The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards have been given to individuals who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community. "Our independent panel of judges struggles annually to choose winners from among the group of smart,… more
Sep 29, 2014
Several shows have recently signed on to renew their contracts or in the midst of long ones at Detroit’s Cobo Center, leading to what Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of the venue, calls one of the most successful years in “memorable history”. The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and SME just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress. The Shell-Eco Marathon energy efficient… 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.