News

Jul 28, 2022
Puerto Rico is no stranger to crises, having faced and overcome major challenges such as the Zika virus outbreak and Hurricane Irma over the past several years. COVID-19 has been no exception, with the destination showing its profound resiliency as it emerges from the pandemic. Brad Dean, president and CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, recently highlighted some of the promising numbers along with a newly launched branding initiative for event attendees and venue developments. “Rebuilding has been vitally important over the past four years and to position Puerto Rico to not just come back but to… more
Jul 26, 2022
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released its latest flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research report, designed to take the pulse of the global exhibition industry, with results pointing to a continued wave of positivity.  Concluded in June 2022, the 29th edition of the bi-annual survey includes data from 366 companies across 57 countries and regions, and outlooks and analysis for 23 focus countries and regions, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,… more
Jul 25, 2022
Rimini, Italy-based Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Messe to acquire 50% of the German trade show organizer’s companies in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The 50-50 joint venture is expected to strongly boost the international reach of both companies’ respective show brands and launches in economic sectors covered by both show organizers, according to IEG officials.  Hannover-based Deutsche Messe and IEG are considered two of Europe’s largest exhibition organizers, boasting pre-COVID turnovers of €355 ($363 US) and €179 ($183 US) million,… more
Jul 21, 2022
The 2022 TSNN Awards, on tap Nov. 8-9 in Las Vegas, has opened nominations for a bevy of trade show Innovation Awards, as well as Outstanding Show Pros awards.  Has your show created an incredible community? Did you have a really savvy marketing campaign? Use data in a strategic way? Or roll out an amazing exhibitor program? These are just a few of the categories for the Innovation Awards, with a full list below. Outstanding Show Pros are exactly what it sounds like - people that have truly shone brightly in the past year leading an amazing event - perhaps creating an outstanding community… more
Jul 19, 2022
Leading B2B exhibitions and market access business, Informa Markets, has appointed a new CEO. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Patrick Martell, current CEO of Informa Intelligence and COO of Informa Group, will take the reigns as the company’s chief executive while continuing his role as Group COO. He will replace current CEO Charlie McCurdy, who joined Informa in 2015 and will move into a new role as strategic advisor to Informa Group in 2023. Since joining Informa in 2014, Martell has acquired significant knowledge of the business, including a heavy involvement in the integration of Penton… more
Jul 18, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN), a member of Tarsus Group, and the world’s leading news and online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry, has partnered with jwc GmbH, the leading advisory services firm for the trade fair and conference industry, in their launch of venueScout, the definitive global platform connecting professionals looking to organize and host events and venue operators and service providers looking to capture more business. The partnership aims to promote opportunities for North American and Mexican event venues and service providers to gain more… more
Jul 18, 2022
After a two-year hiatus, industry leaders, innovators, experts, artists and creators harmoniously reunited at The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference for global music product, pro audio and sound and entertainment technology industry professionals. Held June 3-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., the streamlined, three-day platform for the $17 billion music products industry pivoted back to face-to-face by welcoming a smaller but serious audience of 46,627 attendees from more than 111 countries and… more
Jul 15, 2022
ExpoPlatform, an international event technology company supporting leading global exhibition organizers with digital innovations for more valuable in-person events, released the findings of its recent “Event Tech Returns to Live” survey. The results pointed to the main obstacles event professionals face in the new era of events and the ways digital tools can help overcome them. Exhibitor ROI is the most important challenge facing event organizers as the in-person comeback continues, according to the research, with 66% of respondents ranking it as a high priority. A seamless experience across… more
Jul 14, 2022
VenuIQ, a leading platform for live, hybrid and virtual events, and akire productions, an event production agency, announced a strategic initiative to accelerate growth, create new technology for the industry and produce a variety of events.   akire productions has been and will continue to be VenuIQ's premier event production partner, and the higher-level strategic partnership will pave the way for innovative features to be unveiled in the coming months, according to John D’Adamo, head of sales, USA for VenuIQ "Together, we will be collaborating on new solutions to revolutionize the events… more
Jul 14, 2022
E3, the world’s largest and most important event in the video gaming industry, will make its long-awaited in-person return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in June 2023. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) teamed with boutique RX Global division ReedPop, the veteran event production company behind PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration and other acclaimed pop culture events, to produce E3 2023. The event will reunite global gaming industry developers, manufacturers, buyers, licensors and media professionals for a week of momentous reveals, earth-shaking world premieres… 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.