News
Oct 27, 2022
As inflation soars across the world, making staples such as food, energy, clothing and household items more expensive, U.S. trade show organizers are also facing their fair share of price challenges. Costs for event aspects such as transportation, hotels, venues, food and beverage, speakers and labor, to name a few, are rising nationwide and globally.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in September, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 8.2% over the prior 12 months, and in July, the CPI was the highest it had been in four decades, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.… more
Oct 25, 2022
When it comes to achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the global events industry has a lot of work to do, according to the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) 2022 Equity Benchmarking Study. Released on Oct. 11 in partnership with EIC’s global Equity Task Force, created in 2020 to address systemic racism and all forms of discrimination in the business events and hospitality industry, the study signifies the critical first phase of EIC’s Equity Acceleration Plan.
While there is an ever-growing awareness and commitment toward equity in the industry, survey scores reveal widespread DEI… more
Oct 24, 2022
More than 13,000 label and package printing industry professionals hailing from 77 countries flocked to the recent Labelexpo Americas, held Sept. 13-15 at the Donald E Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. With the key theme of digital transformation, the biennial trade show and conference focused on the latest developments in digital label printing and embellishment, along with sustainability and workflow automation.
Owned and produced by Tarsus Group, the show is one of seven Labelexpo trade shows and conferences in the Labelexpo Global Series that are held in different markets… more
Oct 20, 2022
As the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas buzzed with the sounds of utility vehicles zipping by and booths being meticulously finished for the show floor opening of IMEX America the next day, Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO, couldn’t have been calmer—or more excited.
“Fantastic!” she said, when I asked how she was feeling ahead of the big day.
Her joy—and that of the thousands of attendees who graced the show floor, educational sessions and networking events Oct. 10-13—was palpable. One overriding feeling seemed to prevail: The rebound is real.
When all was said and done, the 11th… more
Oct 20, 2022
MeetingPlay + Aventri, two leading event tech companies that merged in January, and in June acquired eventcore, which provides customized registration and other event tools, has consolidated the three entities under the new name Stova.
The company unveiled the new brand during IMEX America 2022 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, where its staff was out in full force at their newly minted exhibit booth.
With the consolidation of three major event technology pioneers, the company is designed to be the most comprehensive platform in the industry for delivering exceptional on-site… more
Oct 20, 2022
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s 2.1 million-square-foot convention center is getting a fresh new look via a $100 million remodel project. Reflecting the evolving needs and preferences of contemporary meetings and trade shows, the remodel features significant technology upgrades, dynamic digital signage and fresh, new design elements complementing the Las Vegas Strip resort’s signature tropical ambiance.
“With Mandalay Bay home to many of the city’s top events and trade shows year after year, we recognized the need to upgrade the space to reflect modern-day needs and create a timeless… more
Oct 18, 2022
Despite rumblings of a slowing job market, the trade show industry is continuing its strong hiring and promoting momentum, with organizations far and wide filling executive roles with seasoned industry veterans and elevating strong-performing team members with new titles. Check them out!
Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. has promoted 20-year sales and hospitality industry veteran Kelly Gleeson Smith to vice president of sales, meetings and events, responsible for leading the global sales strategy for meetings and events for the enterprise and overseeing a team of more than… more
Oct 17, 2022
The Events Industry Council (EIC) released the findings of its 2022 Q2 Global Business Events Barometer, which revealed a strong increase in its two major indexes: business event request for proposal (RFP) and group hotel room nights.
According to the barometer, which monitors the changes within the market relative to pre-pandemic levels, the Q2 RFP activity index rose to 81% of 2019 levels and the Q2 group hotel room nights index jumped to 83% of 2019 levels.
The barometer points to the fact that RFP activity for events with short lead times has recovered further than requests for events… more
Oct 14, 2022
London-based Arc, a global B2B events, data and media platform, is expanding its U.S. footprint with plans to purchase two major portfolios from LRP Media Group, serving business and education professionals worldwide.
Arc signed an agreement to acquire LRP Media Group’s event and related media assets serving the HR technology (HR tech) and education technology (ed tech) sectors. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The acquisition, which will be the sixth and largest for Arc in the 14 months since the company’s inception, is intended to add substantial scale to the overall Arc… more
Oct 13, 2022
Redrock Entertainment and POP Experiential
Event production company Redrock Entertainment and creative experience agency POP Experiential (POP | X) announced a new alliance to bring award-winning teams of creators and producers to the experiential marketplace, creating a broader offering to existing and prospective clients.
Together, the two teams will deliver tech-forward solutions for B2B and B2C experiences and events—in-person, virtual and hybrid.
Redrock delivers acclaimed large-scale productions, producing high-profile events including Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience, Riot… 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.