TSNN Trade Show News

Messe Berlin Expands ITB Portfolio with A New Show Launch in Mexico in 2026

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:27:25 +0000

Messe Berlin Expands ITB Portfolio with A New Show Launch in Mexico in 2026

March 19, 2025

With ITB trade shows in Berlin, Shanghai, Singapore, and Mumbai, Messe Berlin is expanding its portfolio of B2B tourism events with the launch of ITB Americas, debuting Nov. 10-12, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Messe Berlin announced the news on March 5 at a press conference at ITB Berlin and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mexican ambassador in Berlin and representatives of the State of Jalisco.

ITB Americas claims it will be the only travel trade show that covers North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, as well as all segments of the travel industry––from adventure and responsible tourism to business travel.

Context: Since 1966, Messe Berlin has produced ITB Berlin. Held March 4-6, the 2025 event attracted more than 5,800 exhibitors from 170 countries and territories and nearly 100,000 attendees, according to a post-show release.

Need to know: The planned distribution of ITB Americas exhibitors is 80% from the Americas and 20% from the rest of the world, with participants ranging from startups to global market leaders, according to a release. The accompanying ITB Americas Conference will feature high-profile speakers addressing the latest industry trends, while specific networking formats will focus on buying and sales.

Where it will be held: Located in Mexico's second largest city, Expo Guadalajara offers excellent connectivity and the country's most state-of-the-art exhibition and convention center, according to ITB officials.

The Saudi Arabia booth at ITB Berlin 2025. Photo: ITB

Why it matters: The North American continent is reporting a positive trend in outbound travel, according to the latest data from IPK International. “In 2024, outbound trips from North America grew noticeably. Year-on-year, the increase was around 7%, compared with 2019 when it was around 5%. Outbound travel from Latin America rose nearly 10% year-on-year. The figures have now reached 2019 levels again. Overall, trips from the Americas account for about a quarter of global international travel volume,” according to IPK International's World Travel Monitor.

What they’re saying: "The launch of ITB Americas represents a continuation of our successful international strategy," said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. "Having previously focused on Asia, for us it is now 'ITB goes West'. Whether for hiking in the Rocky Mountains, cruises in the Caribbean, exploring the Atacama Desert in South America or the Mayan culture in Central America, the Americas are not only among the most diverse regions for travel, but also an important source market, with countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.”

Messe Berlin announced the news on March 5 at a press conference at ITB Berlin and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mexican ambassador in Berlin and representatives of the State of Jalisco. From left to right: Vicente Salas Hesselbach, Managing Director, ITB Americas; Gustavo Staufert, General Director, Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau; Michelle Fridman Hirsch; Secretary General of the State of Jalisco; Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin: Virginia Messina (Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Communications, WTTC), and Francisco José, Ambassador of Mexico; and David Ruetz, Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin. Photo: ITB

Big picture: “As Governor of Jalisco, I am honored and delighted to welcome ITB Americas to Guadalajara,” said Pablo Lemus, governor of Jalisco. “Hosting the most important tourism event in the industry in the heart of Mexican culture is a privilege. ITB Americas is a key platform for fostering connections, driving innovation, and showcasing the best of the Americas to the world. Jalisco is the soul of Mexico, the land of mariachi, tequila, and rich traditions, making it the perfect setting for this global gathering. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders and sharing Jalisco’s rich heritage, dynamic tourism offerings, and warm hospitality with the global travel community.”

Looking ahead: ITB Berlin 2026 will be held March 3-5.

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Exclusive: CEO Hervé Sedky on Emerald’s UK Expansion with 2 Acquisitions, Plus 5 Takeaways from Its 2024 Financials

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 23:47:39 +0000

Exclusive: CEO Hervé Sedky on Emerald’s UK Expansion with 2 Acquisitions, Plus 5 Takeaways from Its 2024 Financials

March 18, 2025

Danica Tormohlen

Emerald Holding, Inc., a public, live events company that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, reported $398.8 million in revenue for 2024, a 4.2% increase compared with 2023, driven by organic growth and acquisitions while shedding unprofitable events, according to its Q4 2024 and full year results on March 14.

Hervé Sedky, Emerald’s president and CEO, said, “2024 was a transformative year for Emerald––one where we took decisive actions to strategically optimize our portfolio of live B2B events with precision and purpose. Each step has laid the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient future, driven by a diversified business mix and a foundation for sustained growth and profitability.”

On the heels of its financial results, Emerald announced on March 17 it will acquire This is Beyond, a London-based producer of seven business-to-business (B2B) events in the experiential and luxury travel industry. Expected to close in Q2, the acquisition aligns with Emerald's strategic plan to diversify and optimize its portfolio by targeting high-growth markets with leading brands. The company also acquired Insurtech Insights, an operator of large-scale insurance technology conferences across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Sedky to find out more about the acquisitions and how Emerald is scaling up its operations in the UK. Read highlights below or listen to the full interview here.

5 Takeaways from Emerald’s Q4 and full-year 2024 results

Here are five key takeaways from Emerald’s Q4 2024 and full-year 2024 earnings release for the trade show market:

1. Revenue Growth and Portfolio Optimization. Organic revenues for 2024 grew 5.9%, reflecting a stronger core business despite external challenges. In Q4 2024, Emerald generated revenues of $106.8 million, compared with $101.5 million during Q4 2023. The 5.2% increase in quarterly revenue was driven primarily by organic revenue growth of $6.1 million and $4.8 million in revenue from acquisitions.

2. Strategic Acquisitions Expand Market Reach. The company signed an agreement to acquire This is Beyond and completed the acquisition of Insurtech Insights for a combined $160 million, expanding into luxury travel and insurance technology events. Insurtech Insights operates three large-scale insurance technology conferences in New York, London, and Hong Kong for attendees who include insurance brokers and agents from the top insurers and solutions providers globally. These acquisitions strengthen Emerald’s presence in high-growth industries and further diversify its event portfolio.

3. Profitability and Financial Strength Improve. Emerald posted a $2.2 million net income in 2024, reversing an $8.2 million net loss from 2023. Adjusted EBITDA rose 4% to $101.7 million, demonstrating improved operational efficiency. The company also closed the year with $194.8 million in cash.

4. Strong 2025 Outlook with Higher Revenue and EBITDA Expectations. Emerald projects $450–$460 million in revenue and $120–$125 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2025, bolstered by recent acquisitions. This forecast underscores the company’s disciplined growth strategy and commitment to delivering value through live events.

5. Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions and Launches. “Looking ahead, we remain committed to disciplined growth through strategic acquisitions and new event launches, positioning Emerald as the industry leader while creating lasting value for shareholders and the markets we serve,” Sedky said.

What analysts are saying: “We presume that Emerald can be valued as if it is to be sold by controlling shareholder Onex into a consolidating, yet fragmented industry. We value the core events business at a 10.2x multiple that is at the low end of comparable deals and adjust for other smaller elements. We factor in the acquisitions and move ahead a year,” according to a report by Rosenblatt Securities Inc. On March 17. Rosenblatt indicated that Emerald is a stock to buy.

Deeper Dive into Deals

This is Beyond Acquisition

One the events in the This is Beyond portfolio, LE Miami is focused on the high-end contemporary travel sector and catering to a creative end consumer base. The 11th edition will be held in May in Miami. Photo: LE Miami

Context: Since its founding in 2009, This is Beyond has served the $1.3 trillion luxury travel market through its exclusive experiences that meet the rising demand for high-end travel. Known for its emphasis on sustainability, design, and premium brands, This is Beyond curates specialized events that connect elite travel designers, global tour operators, and in-house travel managers.

What they’re saying: "Expanding into the luxury and experiential travel sectors aligns with our strategy of portfolio optimization and improving Emerald’s top-line growth,” said Sedky. "Entering this sector is an exciting opportunity for Emerald, and we are thrilled to welcome This is Beyond into our portfolio of world-class brands and events. By combining This is Beyond’s expertise with Emerald’s strengths in innovation, market leadership, and in-person experiences, we will elevate our offerings, reinforce our presence in high-value markets, and deliver exceptional ROI to our customers."

This is Beyond Founder Serge Dive, who will join Emerald, along with all employees, when the acquisition closes

How the acquisition came about: Sedky told TSNN: “It was a proprietary find. Our head of M&A identified this prospect a couple of years back. As a good target for us that supported our strategy to expand in high growth sectors, we reached out to the founder. We engaged in conversations for a while, but given the size and scale of these assets, the founder decided to engage a banker and to go through a full competitive process.”

Portfolio alignment: Sedky said: “Essentially, This is Beyond caters to the uber-luxury market segment, which is important to us. We already have some assets in luxury with Couture [an annual event for the designer fine jewelry and luxury timepiece market] being one of them. We really like that sector. Beyond a travel asset, it's even more so a luxury asset. The customer base of This is Beyond is, in a large part, the top 1% of consumers, and those consumers are less impacted by economic volatility. So, for us, expanding that sector was important.”

International strategy: Emerald mostly produces events in the U.S. but recently began expanding internationally. “We started with an asset, Advertising Week, that had a small presence in the UK. We have a small office with some employees in the UK, and since then we've acquired Global Risk and Compliance. In both cases, [these companies] have assets in the U.S. and very big growth opportunity in the U.S., which is Emerald's primary market. Although there's very little, if any, revenue in the UK, some of our biggest competitors are UK-based so it's a hub for the exhibitions industry. We decided that, following a successful large-scale acquisition in the UK, This is Beyond gives us this platform and the opportunity to build out a presence in the UK. So we go from having a few employees in the UK to having over a hundred employees in the UK.

Looking ahead: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for This is Beyond. As a leader in the luxury travel event space, we've been fiercely independent since 2009, and I'm immensely proud of what we've built,” said This is Beyond Founder Serge Dive, who will join Emerald, along with all employees, when the acquisition closes. “Now, as we look to the next iteration of our growth, joining Emerald provides us with all the support we need to scale our vision and deliver even more exceptional experiences for our communities."

The portfolio: This is Beyond events includes:

PURE Life Experiences - Marrakech, Morocco – 14th edition in September 2025. Focused on the high-end experiential travel sector.
LE Miami - Miami, Florida – 11th edition in May 2025. Focused on the high-end contemporary travel sector and catering to a creative end consumer base.
We Are Africa - Cape Town, South Africa – 10th edition in May 2025. A marketplace dedicated to the high-end African travel sector.
We Are Africa North America – Sundance, Utah – 6th edition in October 2025. Focused on supporting high-end travel from North America to Africa.
Further East - Bali, Indonesia – 6th edition in November 2025. An outbound travel show for the high-end APAC travel region.
Do Not Disturb – Borgo Egnazia, Italy – 4th edition in November 2024. Focused on private and exclusive travel experiences, such as private yachts, planes, and villas.
Specialists in Entertainment Travel - New Orleans, Louisiana – 4th edition in November 2025. A show addressing the fast-growing luxury entertainment travel sector.

Insurtech Insights Acquisition

Founded in 2018, Insurtech Insights produces conferences across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Pictured above is a photo of the last year's event in New York. Photo: Insurtech

Backstory: Founded in 2018, Insurtech Insights produces conferences across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., serving as a platform for networking, education, and innovation in insurance. The London-based company helps carriers, brokers, and startups leverage digital technology to improve efficiency, increase revenue, and navigate the industry's digital transformation.

When and where they’re meeting: The 2025 events will take place March 19-20 in London, June 4-5 in New York, and December 3-4 in Hong Kong.

Need to know: The acquisition marks Emerald’s entry into the insurance technology sector.

Kristoffer Lundberg, CEO of Insurtech Insights

How the deal came about: “This is another proprietary deal that we sourced and found a business in two excellent sectors—tech and insurance,” Sedky said. “We have a tech portfolio, and it's a very strong and well performing portfolio. So again, we're looking to continue to expand that. Insurtech Insights has events in London, New York and Hong Kong. If you think about those three markets, those are really the biggest and most prominent insurance markets around the world. Our events are located in real insurance hubs, which we also liked. Sedky told us that Emerald “has built out its own M&A database with assets we think we should own.”

What they’re saying: “Since our first conference in 2018, our mission has been to empower insurance professionals with insights, inspiration, and network,” said Kristoffer Lundberg, CEO of Insurtech Insights. “We are incredibly proud to have become the largest insurance community globally, connecting more than 15,000 leaders across our three global conferences and reaching over 100,000 online.”

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Inspired Home Show 2025: Inside the 125th Edition in Chicago

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:56:29 +0000

Inspired Home Show 2025: Inside the 125th Edition in Chicago

March 17, 2025

Shannon Thaler

The International Housewares Association (IHA) held the 125th edition of its tentpole annual event, the Inspired Home Show (IHS), March 2-4. As it has since its inception, the housewares trade show—the largest of its kind in North America—took place in Chicago, at McCormick Place.

“We’ve enjoyed a long history in Chicago,” IHA's president and CEO Derek Miller said of IHS, which was rebranded from the International Home + Housewares Show in 2019. “As of now, we’ve got dates protected at McCormick Place through 2030,” he told TSNN, noting that the show has grown along with Chicago’s venue space from its first years at the Palmer House Hotel, then to Chicago’s International Ampitheater, Navy Pier and, ultimately, the Windy City’s 2.6 million-square-foot convention center in 1961.

In honor of the show’s impressive anniversary this year, some 30,000 attendees from 100-plus countries were treated to an immersive display in the Grand Concourse Lobby that included a video highlighting the Show’s evolution through the decades. Elsewhere in McCormick's Place North and South Halls was a roughly 1.5 million-sq.-ft. exhibitor space featuring more than 2,000 unique brands and more than 300,000 products, Miller said.

Of those exhibitors, upwards of 200 “were new or returning after a brief absence,” Miller said, noting that IHA has made a concerted effort to incentivize its members to sign up for booth space early. “In 2024, we began providing advanced and early applications to allow exhibitors to obtain discounted rates and prime booth locations,” he added.

And though 125 years of IHS means the event has “a strong history and a solid foundation to build on,” Miller said that “as an association, we have to be willing to make adjustments.” This was evident in the addition of show features that “gave attendees access to an expanded array of industry-related products which are especially in demand for buyers attending the Show,” he said.

Among the new show features at IHS 2025 was the Travel Gear & Luggage Expo—created in response to an uptick in travel, and resulting rising consumer demands for high-quality travel gear—that highlighted an array of travel-related exhibitors.

The Candle Pavilion also made its debut in partnership with the National Candle Association as the leading candle authority sought to capitalize on the popularity of candles for gift-giving and beyond.

In addition, the American Pet Products Association was behind IHS’s all-new Pet Product Pavillion, which showcased giftable pet products. In all, Miller said that the IHA estimated that more than 20,000 new products were featured at this year’s show.

And though not entirely new to the 2025 show, IHS’s “Debut” section—which Miller described as "an incubator area featuring up-and-coming home and housewares companies and smaller new-to-the-Show exhibitors”—expanded this year. The area was surrounded by live musicians who played instruments throughout the exhibitor floor in celebration of the IHS’s milestone year.

Meanwhile, the “Inspiration Theater” was home to a robust education program that included four keynote sessions and general sessions courtesy of subject-matter experts, where trending topics included “AI, PFAS legislation, licensing, supply chain, intellectual property law, omni-channel marketing strategies, merchandising, and more,” Miller shared.

Come nightfall, a Networking After Dark event primed attendees for, well, networking with the help of a selfie wall that encouraged eventgoers to send in their favorite snaps from the evening. Other networking opportunities took the form of receptions catered specifically to young professionals, senior-level women, and independent retailers.

The IHA already has its sight sets on IHS 2026, which is slated for March 10-12, 2026. Miller noted that the show is moving to a weekday pattern (IHS 2025 took place Sunday-Tuesday, while the 2026 edition will happen Tuesday-Thursday).

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Celebrating Women’s History Month with Yancy Weinrich, President North America, CloserStill Media

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:47:02 +0000

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Yancy Weinrich, President North America, CloserStill Media

March 14, 2025

Lisa Plummer Savas

During Women’s History Month, TSNN makes a point of honoring the trade show industry’s outstanding female professionals by sharing their stories, insights, accomplishments, and words of inspiration.

At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are being called into question, we believe it is more important than ever to honor our female trailblazers and hear how their organizations are supporting and advancing women, whether they believe we are making meaningful progress toward gender parity in industry leadership, and what advice they offer for emerging female leaders. 

In this year’s exclusive interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with trade show industry veteran Yancy Weinrich, president of B2B international events company CloserStill Media, to learn about path to the C-suite and the exceptional women mentors who have helped shape her career, how our industry could improve when it comes to including female voices in strategic decision-making processes, and why empathy is a woman’s greatest superpower in leadership.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the events industry, and what challenges did you overcome as a woman in this field?

Having grown up in a family of strong women, I was always inspired by their resilience, creative thinking, and leadership. When I started in sales at Reed Exhibitions (now RX), I quickly realized how dynamic and impactful the events industry could be. The opportunity to bring people together face to face to facilitate relationships, create trust, and drive results felt fulfilling. As a woman in the field, there have certainly been challenges—such as navigating an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated in some areas. But I’ve never seen my gender as a barrier. Instead, I’ve focused on leveraging my strengths—empathy, communication, and relationship-building—to break down those barriers and prove that women are powerful leaders in this space.

Yancy at the 2025 New York Vet Show at Javits Center with her CloserStill Media team: (L-R) Joseph Kowalski, show director, Lauren Filicia, group sales manager, and Alexia Maycock, CMO

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped your leadership style or approach to event planning?

A defining moment in my career was when I began to join boards of directors. That is where I developed friendships and leadership skills, including public speaking. Also, once you realize that you are only as good as your team around you, a lightbulb goes off – you have to lead by example and empower your team. Throughout my career, I’ve learned the most from listening – both to our customers and my team – trusting their expertise and being adaptable. I like to think I’ve adopted a collaborative approach, where everyone feels valued and heard, which makes for a stronger, more cohesive team.

How have you seen opportunities for women in the events industry evolve, and what changes do you think are still needed?

The events industry has come a long way in recognizing the value women bring to the table. When I first started, leadership roles were less accessible to women, but over the years, I’ve seen an increase in female leadership at all levels. There’s more visibility now for women who are excelling in high-profile roles, and that is empowering to younger generations. However, I believe there’s still work to be done in creating more mentorship opportunities and ensuring equal pay for equal work. We also need to continue to advocate for women’s voices in the strategic decision-making processes to ensure we’re not just filling roles but shaping the direction of the industry.

Yancy being interviewed for a promotional video for NY Vet Show

What advice would you give to young women looking to break into or advance in the events industry?

Embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Don’t shy away from challenges—those are the moments where you can really make a mark. Find mentors who believe in you and help guide you but also don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Understand your worth and push for what you deserve, whether that’s a promotion, better pay, or more responsibility. Build a network of supportive people, especially other women, because we rise together. And, above all, never forget to trust your instincts—often, they are your best guide.

Who are some women who have inspired you in your career, and how have they influenced your journey?

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by strong women throughout my life—especially my mother and sisters. These women have taught me resilience, determination, and balance. Their different approaches to leadership and life have shaped my understanding of collaboration, empathy, and ambition. In the professional world, I’ve also been inspired by many female leaders I’ve worked with and to name a few, Nancy Walsh, Marie Browne, Alexia Maycock, and many more. They have shown me the power of being both empathetic and assertive in leadership. As women, empathy is our super-power, as it comes more naturally to us. Use it to your advantage – it brings loyalty, builds trust, and enables people to bring their whole self to work.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Exhibitor News: Moss, Skyline, and The Expo Group Announce Acquisitions, New Offerings for Event Marketers

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:41:48 +0000

Exhibitor News: Moss, Skyline, and The Expo Group Announce Acquisitions, New Offerings for Event Marketers

March 13, 2025

Lisa Plummer Savas

Three exhibit design and production companies announced recent business deals and new product launches geared to enable exhibiting companies to deliver more impactful brand experiences at live events.

Moss Grows Presence in UK with Rocket Graphics Acquisition

Moss, a producer of premium graphics, complex structures, and custom installations for corporate branded experiences and live events, has significantly expanded its UK footprint with the recent acquisition of Rocket Graphics, a UK-based large format printer known for producing high quality, eco-friendly graphic solutions for exhibits and large-scale events.

“Expanding in the UK market with a fellow premium provider gives our customers access to both increased capability and proven expertise – all while maintaining the Moss gold standard for exceptional quality and service,” said Jason Popp, president and CEO of Moss, which has operations in the U.S., Germany, Poland, and the UK. “It’s exciting to bring two highly successful businesses and teams together.”

Moss UK Managing Director Michael Green will lead the combined business, with Rocket Graphics Co-Founder Tim Porter joining the senior management team at Moss UK as group account director.

“After 25 incredible years building the business, I’m thrilled to join forces with Moss, a company that shares our values, our commitment to sustainability, and a belief that outstanding customer service is a fundamental business imperative,” Porter said. “Together, we can deliver even greater innovation and value to our clients.”

(L-R): Michael Green, Moss UK Managing Director, Tim Porter, Rocket Co-founder, and Jason Popp, Moss President and CEO

Michael Green, Moss UK managing director, welcomed the move, which marks Moss’s third in acquisition the past 16 months, following its recent purchase of U.S.-based Stretch Shapes.

“These two businesses make for a great strategic fit: a shared passion for transforming our environmental legacy, imaginative and creative teams, and a customer-centered ethos that make us a trusted partner in our fast-paced, fast-moving industry,” Green said. “We look forward to welcoming Tim, our new colleagues, and our new clients to Moss.”

Skyline Launches ExhibitNow Kits

Skyline Exhibits unveiled a new line of curated premium exhibit kits designed for busy marketers seeking readily available, high-impact trade show booths.

Combining expert design, high-quality materials, and fast deployment, ExhibitNow offers more than 20 pre-designed kits for standard exhibit footprints, including 10’x10’, 10’x20’, and 10’x30’, available for rental or purchase. Each kit comes complete and ready to deploy and includes essential elements such as shelving, lighting, tables, and storage.

“Marketers need speed and flexibility to deliver engaging, impactful brand experiences within tight deadlines,” said Wendy Gibson, CMO of Skyline Exhibits. “ExhibitNow meets this need—it’s readily available, shipping in as little as five business days, and designed for an attention-grabbing trade show presence that stands out from the competition.”

Built for reusability and crafted with high-quality, durable materials that can withstand the demands of multiple shows, ExhibitNow’s exhibit structures are complemented by premium fabric graphics produced with technology to enable a strong brand presence.

Designed to adapt to evolving trade show needs and marketing strategies, the kits offer the added benefit of easily changeable fabric graphics to update brand messaging, multiple sizes to fit various trade shows, and flexible rental or purchase options.

“Our ExhibitNow solutions provide speed and efficiency without sacrificing quality,” said Anoop Gupta, Skyline director of innovation. “With a variety of accessories and vibrant fabric graphics, marketers can craft an exhibit that truly brings their brand to life and captures attention.”

ExhibitNow builds on Skyline’s November 2024 launch of ExhibitGo, a line of portable, high-quality, and reusable trade show displays featuring durable, lightweight frames with vibrant graphics, quick assembly, and fast shipping.

The Expo Group Unveils New 360° Interactive Booth Builder

The Expo Group launched a new 360° interactive booth builder website for its Perspective Series exhibitor booth offerings. Featuring multiple, pre-designed rental booth options from 10’x10’ to 20’x30’ configurations, the site provides a unique interactive booth builder tool that displays an interactive, dimensional, 360° rendering of the exhibitor’s selected booth options in real-time.

As exhibitors pick and choose various options, website visitors can see exactly what their booth will look like, allowing for custom graphics to be added on several of the booth packages to fully depict the booth aesthetic. According to The Expo Group officials, this capability has never been offered by a general service contractor in the trade show industry.

“Providing an unmatched, positive experience for exhibitors is a major passion for The Expo Group,” said Michael Guillory, senior vice president of marketing and communications for The Expo Group. “Our new interactive booth builder lets you literally spin your booth around to see it from every angle and instantly modify it with a wide range of options and graphics to suit your needs. It’s a real game-changer.”

The Perspectives Series booth offerings are based on the reusable and cost-effective beMatrix booth structure system, which enables modern booth designs that look custom-built and offer myriad configuration options.

“We are one of the largest builders of beMatrix branded booth systems used for our Perspective Series,” said Randy Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. “We are thrilled to be able to offer a unique tool to let exhibitors realistically visualize their booth before they place their order. It’s what the industry has been asking for and we’re excited to deliver it.”

In the coming months, The Expo Group plans to expand the use of the new tool within its internal show portal CyberServices for shows the company serves as general service contractor.

Lead image: Rocket Graphics hanging fabric cube for Exib Limited at  Excel London

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The 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show Attracts Record Attendance, Largest Show in 17 Years

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:47:21 +0000

The 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show Attracts Record Attendance, Largest Show in 17 Years

March 12, 2025

Shannon Thaler

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosted the 81st edition of its International Builders’ Show (IBS) Feb. 25-27. And though the construction show is one the largest of its kind, it boasted record attendance for the first time in 17 years.

More than 81,000 builders, remodelers, developers, and other home building professionals poured into the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) for the three-day event, alongside 750 new exhibitors and 1,050 returning exhibitors, which filled up 728,000 square feet of the 2.9 million-square-foot venue.

The figures “surpassed our high expectations for attendance, exhibit space, and educational opportunities,” NAHB chief revenue officer Geoff Cassidy said in a post-show press release.

While the show's location wasn’t new (IBS has taken place at the LVCC for three consecutive years, and multiple times prior to 2023), programming took on a new format this year. For starters, the revamped “Game Changer” sessions saw industry CEOs paired with experts outside of the industry to challenge ways of thinking about the latest innovations and business strategies.

For example, on day three, an hour-long Game Changer conversation saw New Home Co.’s senior vice president of marketing and design, Megan Eltringham, engaging in a conversation about building lasting professional relationships with longtime Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus. It was a refreshing shakeup from past IBS events, when Game Changers typically consisted of keynotes with industry thought leaders.

A “Custom Building & Remodeling Symposium” was also new to IBS 2025. The full-day intensive program was a pre-show course that took place on Feb. 24 and was available to all IBS registrants at an additional cost ($195 for NAHB members, or $295 for non-members).

During the seven-and-a-half-hour symposium, programming homed in on business-accelerating strategies and productivity techniques for custom builders and remodelers, beginning with a kickoff “Goal Setting” session. Symposium attendees also had the opportunity get a head start on networking thanks to collaborative breaks, a socializing lunch hour, and an end-of-day happy hour that doubled as a local beer tasting.

Once IBS officially kicked off the following day, an additional 120 educational sessions consisted not only of more Game Changers conversations but also main-stage programming—what NAHB calls “Super Sessions”—and Learning Labs, which are shorter sessions with an interactive format.

Among the most buzzed-about presentations was The Start-Up Pitch. The one-hour assembly gave 10 startups in the residential construction industry (each with a groundbreaking product, service or technology less than three years old, according to NAHB) four minutes each to showcase their emerging application, software, web platform, smart home tech, or new construction material, for example. Attendees then voted on the “Most Innovative Start-Up.” The 2025 people’s choice winner: Villa, a California-based full-service, cost-effective prefabricated accessory dwelling units (ADUs) builder.

As it has for the past 12 years, NAHB’s Design & Construction Week (DCW) ran in tandem with IBS. DCW—which includes the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)—is known as the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals that features exhibitors showcasing and demonstrating the newest products and services in the niche. More than 124,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitors occupied some 1.2 million additional sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space at the LVCC, also from Feb. 25-27, according to a post-show release.

NAHB’s IBS has already announced that in 2026, it will be taking place Feb. 17-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., as it often does after spending a couple of years in Las Vegas. And yes, it will once again be bringing DCW and KBIS along with it.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Why Business and Professional Events are Essential

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:30:24 +0000

Why Business and Professional Events are Essential

March 12, 2025

Tommy Goodwin

Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. He leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.

Since taking office in January, one of President Donald Trump’s key initiatives has focused on making the U.S. federal government more cost efficient. One recent executive order calls for federal agencies to create a system “that centrally records approval for federally funded travel for conferences and other non-essential purposes.”

While the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) certainly supports efforts to safeguard taxpayer dollars by curbing non-essential travel, it’s equally important to recognize the essential role of business and professional events, especially for federal government workers.

Connecting government buyers and sellers

In 2023, the federal government committed $759 billion on contracts with outside companies for products and services such as software, healthcare, aircraft, and much more.

Trade shows and conferences play a critical role in the U.S. government acquisition ecosystem. These events, such as Modern Day Marine, showcase cutting-edge innovations and technologies, enabling military and civilian buyers to identify the best of breed private sector solutions for government adoption.

McKinsey recently found that 70% of buyers prefer hybrid and in-person experiences, which provide a better environment for increased trust and deeper engagement. That’s why 72% of government budget owners planned to attend at least one conference or trade show last year.

Of those, 61% were seeking to learn about new technology and 55% were attending to find new vendors, with 62% of those attendees uncovering 1-3 new vendors to consider going forward.

Knowledge sharing and innovation

Retirement-age federal employees outnumber younger employees two to one, with 29% of employees age 55 and above. While this creates a looming knowledge transfer challenge, it also creates an opportunity for the government to adopt private sector innovations and best practices.

Business and professional events such as the Consumer Electronics Show and the I/ITSEC Conference offer unparalleled platforms for long-term value creation through private-public knowledge sharing, collaboration, innovation, and relationship building.

To that end, 60% of executives surveyed by Harvard Business Review found that events, particularly in-person gatherings, led to significant knowledge transfer and long-term partnerships.

Driving the U.S. economy forward

Beyond supporting the federal government and its workforce, conferences and trade shows are a massive growth engine for the U.S. economy.

In 2025, the U.S. business and professional events sector will employ 2.63 million Americans and drive $426.1 billion in local spending nationwide. In addition, these events drive demand for restaurants, hotels, travel services, and Main Street commerce every day from coast to coast.

Government involvement is critical for our industry, which is 99% small businesses, to continue driving economic growth, supporting job creation, empowering small businesses, and helping to solve our most urgent societal challenges.

Federal support also strengthens the competitiveness of the U.S. as the leading destination for international events, whether those are conferences and trade shows or major global events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.

For these reasons, and many more, business and professional events are essential to not only the federal government, but our country more broadly!

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IAEE Launches Two New Events in June in Baltimore

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:13:59 +0000

IAEE Launches Two New Events in June in Baltimore

March 11, 2025

Danica Tormohlen

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) is launching two new members-only events in 2025: the Organizer Insights Summit and Half-Day Healthcare Forum will both be held on June 25 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, preceding the IAEE Leadership Institute. One will be held in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a joint lunch for networking provided from 12 to 1:30 p.m. ET.

Scheduled for June 26-27, also at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, the IAEE Leadership Institute is geared toward tomorrow’s leaders with content on essential skills to transform behaviors, enhance performance, develop team collaboration and build strategic relationships. The program is limited to 50 attendees.

Deeper dive: The half-day Organizer Insights Summit, tailored to professionals managing exhibitions under 199,000 net square feet (NSF), will provide specialized content in an intimate setting. The program, which runs from 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ET, focuses on delivering actionable strategies for small-scale show organizers––addressing everything from exhibitor value enhancement to attendee engagement optimization. The Organizer Insights Summit is supported by Discover Puerto Rico and Fern, an Nth Degree company.

A class activity during last year's IAEE Leadership Institute. Photo: IAEE

Need to know: The Half-Day Healthcare Forum caters to meeting professionals and exhibit managers in the healthcare sector, offering targeted insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within healthcare exhibitions and events. The forum, which runs from 1:30-5 p.m. ET, will deliver practical strategies for event planning, compliance, and attendee engagement in a curated small-scale format. The title sponsor for the Half-Day Healthcare Forum is New Orleans & Company.

The two new IAEE members-only events, the Organizer Insights Summit and Half-Day Healthcare Forum, will both be held on June 25 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, preceding the IAEE Leadership Institute. Photo: Marriott

What they’re saying: “These new learning experiences reflect our dedication to building stronger, more connected communities within our industry,” explained IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan. “By creating these focused learning environments, we are enabling our members to share experiences and develop practical solutions to their specific challenges.”

Last year's IAEE Leadership Institute program included a social giving activity for attendees. Photo: IAEE

Save your spot: Register for the IAEE Leadership Institute here, the Organizer Insights Summit here, and the Half-Day Healthcare Forum here.

A guest room at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront where the events will be held. Photo: Marriott

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New Crypto Event in Southern California Hopes to Capitalize on Burgeoning $300 Billion Industry

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:12:03 +0000

New Crypto Event in Southern California Hopes to Capitalize on Burgeoning $300 Billion Industry

March 10, 2025

Danica Tormohlen

In recent days, the total cryptocurrency market has risen about 10%, or more than $300 billion, in the hours since U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a new U.S. strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, according to CoinGecko, a cryptocurrency data and analysis company.

To capitalize on this burgeoning industry, two events industry entrepreneurs––Anil Aggarwal, founder and former CEO of Money20/20, Fintech Meetup, Shoptalk, and Groceryshop, and Matt Middleton, founder and CEO of Future Proof––have partnered with crypto industry insiders Mitul Parmar and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan to launch Mint, a new U.S. crypto event that they say will feature 25,000 pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings that are each 15 minutes, according to a press release.

To be held on Sept.14-17 in Huntington Beach, Calif., Mint touts itself as “the only fully outdoor crypto event, set beachside in Southern California. It offers a first-class experience that blends incredible learning, efficient networking, fun and unforgettable social activities.”

Mint, which touts itself as the only fully outdoor crypto event, will debut Sept.14-17 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Market outlook: In 2025, approximately 28% of American adults, or about 65 million people, own cryptocurrencies, according to the 2025 Cryptocurrency Adoption and Consumer Sentiment Report. By 2030, the worldwide market is expected to grow by 12.5% in compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to Grand View Research. There were more than 9,000 cryptocurrencies as of 2023, but the top 20 cryptocurrencies make up nearly 90% of the total market, according to Statista.

Anil Aggarwal, founder and former CEO of Money20/20, Fintech Meetup, Shoptalk, and Groceryshop

Need to know: Mint will bring together more than 2,500 attendees, as well as 175+ speakers to deliver more than 80 sessions, Aggarwal said. The event will feature a crypto peer collaboration program, with more than 250 curated group discussions designed to help participants seize opportunities and overcome challenges. Emphasizing real use cases, real users and real revenue, and creating a space where real business happens, Mint has already gained strong pre-launch momentum, with 70+ leading companies from both crypto and traditional industries joining as Launch Partners and/or speakers.

Backstory: The Mint team has a 15-year track record of disrupting incumbents and creating industry-leading events that deliver outsized results for everyone. Aggarwal is a 25-year, 10-time startup founder and CEO with exits totaling more than $800 million, including to Google (TxVia), Hyve (Fintech Meetup, Retail Meetup, Shoptalk, Groceryshop, HLTH), Ascential (Money20/20), TSYS (Clarity Payment Solutions), and Informa (Paybefore, Prepaid Expo), according to his LinkedIn profile.

What they’re saying: “We believe crypto and blockchain are at the tipping point, ready to transform a wide range of industries over the coming years,” Parmar said. “Mint was created to catalyze that transformation and take crypto from awareness to mass adoption by accelerating crypto’s pursuit of real users, revenue, and use cases.”

Big picture: “For more than a dozen years, Matt Middleton and I have had outsized success in launching and leading disruptive new events, each of which have set completely new standards in their respective sectors with cutting-edge experiences, programs, and formats that we’ve pioneered,” Aggarwal said. “We’re looking forward to doing it again, this time by bringing together the already tight-knit crypto community and helping bridge it to the most open-minded changemakers at the frontier of traditional industries.”

The Pasea Hotel is listed as one of the places to stay during Mint.

Main image: Huntington Beach, California pier Photo: Shutterstock

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Market Watch: 5 Takeaways from Informa’s 2024 Financial Results

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:20:28 +0000

Market Watch: 5 Takeaways from Informa’s 2024 Financial Results

March 6, 2025

Danica Tormohlen

Informa PLC, the public international B2B events, digital services, and academic markets group, delivered strong financial results for 2024, reporting double-digit revenue and profit growth, along with significant international expansion.

“On every measure, the Informa Group delivered an outstanding result in 2024, from revenue growth to higher dividend returns, alongside further International and Portfolio expansion,” said Informa PLC Group CEO Stephen Carter. “This is a performance we aim to repeat in 2025.”

Here’s our take on the top five highlights from the company’s full-year financial report for the trade show sector.

1. Double-Digit Growth Across the Board

Informa, which owns TSNN, reported a 11.4% increase in revenue, reaching $4.5 billion (converted from £3.55 billion), compared to $4 billion in 2023. Adjusted operating profit grew 16.5% to $1.3 billion, while free cash flow surged 28.6% to $1 billion. The company also delivered 22.9% growth in underlying adjusted operating profit, showcasing robust demand in both its B2B events and academic markets.

2. Live B2B Events Are Thriving

With more than 800 specialist B2B event brands, Informa continues to see strong demand for in-person connections. The company highlighted the increasing value of face-to-face business meetings in a digital-first world, with trade shows and conferences remaining essential for networking and industry growth. Informa’s B2B events division grew revenue by 14.2% in 2024, outperforming expectations. Looking ahead, the company is targeting 7%+ underlying revenue growth for live events in 2025.

Informa PLC Group CEO Stephen Carter

3. Expanding Global Reach Through JV in Dubai

Informa announced a strategic joint venture with Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), forming Informa International. This new entity, expected to generate more than $700 million in revenue, will consolidate Informa’s UAE B2B events portfolio with DWTC’s brands. The move strengthens Informa’s presence in one of the fastest-growing global event markets with brands in healthcare (WHX), energy (Middle East Energy), aviation (Dubai Air Show), food (Gulfood), information and communications technology (GITEX), and information security (GISEC). The deal is expected to close in Q4.

4. Strong Start for 2025

Informa is targeting more than $5.2 billion in revenue for 2025, with at least 5% underlying revenue growth before considering new acquisitions. Informa has already secured $2.2 billion in committed revenue for the year, representing more than 40% of its annual target.

5. AI and Digital Growth Strategy

Under its 2025-2028 “One Informa” strategy, the company is doubling down on AI and digital services. Informa is integrating data-driven marketing (IIRIS), expanding its specialist B2B brands, and rolling out its AI personal assistant, Elysia. The company’s new Informa TechTarget business, formed through a strategic merger, aims to accelerate growth in the B2B technology sector.

Looking ahead

“Our growth ambitions through the 2025-2028 One Informa period are underpinned by structural growth in B2B events and specialist knowledge, market-leading brands and a geographic mix weighted to fast-growing economies,” Carter said. “Further scale and opportunity in the increasingly important GCC Growth Gateway is delivered through today’s proposed strategic partnership in the UAE.”

GCC stands for the Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Main image: GITEX 2024, Photo: Shutterstock