Tech News

Feb 16, 2014
Most of the time, event mobile apps are selected well after the event management software is in place. Mobile apps are relatively new to trade shows and conferences and implementing the core operations software normally takes priority. This basic chronology can cause integration headaches for event organizers unless they ask some important questions of the mobile app vendor. Can the data from registration and the event management software be integrated with the mobile platform? To avoid having to re-enter existing registrant, exhibitor and schedule data into the mobile database, the mobile… more
Feb 16, 2014
The Wilmington Convention Center, the largest convention center on the North Carolina coast, launched a brand new Web site, www.businessmadecasual.com. The highlight of the new site is a virtual 360° tour that takes meeting and convention planners on a digital journey of the center’s venues and amenities. The virtual tour gives users the ability to start with an overview map of the entire facility and to then take a closer look at specific interior and exterior meeting spaces, as well as areas surrounding the waterfront building. Specific images in the virtual tour include shots of… more
Feb 09, 2014
The National Association of Broadcasters was looking for a way of extending the presence of its annual NAB Show past the days on the showfloor and found the solution in IndustryTracker. ExpoBee’s IndustryTracker is a year-round news feed that includes news from all exhibitors, as well as industry blogs and publications, and the tool is also highly beneficial for attendee planning and post-show follow-up. The tool uses information provided by attendees themselves to filter out less relevant information and news items and focus on giving each individual reader information in his/her… more
Feb 09, 2014
The National Association of Broadcasters was looking for a way of extending the presence of its annual NAB Show past the days on the showfloor and found the solution in IndustryTracker. ExpoBee’s IndustryTracker is a year-round news feed that includes news from all exhibitors, as well as industry blogs and publications, and the tool is also highly beneficial for attendee planning and post-show follow-up. The tool uses information provided by attendees themselves to filter out less relevant information and news items and focus on giving each individual reader information in his/her… more
Feb 02, 2014
This past Sunday the GRAMMYs aired on CBS and if you were on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest or Instagram at the time you were bound to see discussions and images covering the performances, outfits, and winners.  GRAMMY.com recently announced, “Music’s biggest night is TV’s biggest social event of the 2013-2014 season with a record-breaking 34 million social media interactions.” This is an event manager’s dream!  You, too, can achieve spectacular success on social media for your event! The GRAMMYs started promoting their social media channels long… more
Feb 02, 2014
The Professional Convention Management Association continued with their tradition of experimentation by introducing a hackathon, sponsored by FreemanXP and QuickMobile, at this year’s Convening Leaders. The idea was to provide education and provoke interest for PCMA attendees in how mobile technologies can be used at events. The first hackathons date back to 1999, but they became more mainstream in the mid 2000s. A hackathon is an event where software developers come together to collaborate in a specific project. The key to the hackathon is its intensity. The word hackathon is a… more
Feb 02, 2014
The Professional Convention Management Association continued with their tradition of experimentation by introducing a hackathon, sponsored by FreemanXP and QuickMobile, at this year’s Convening Leaders. The idea was to provide education and provoke interest for PCMA attendees in how mobile technologies can be used at events. The first hackathons date back to 1999, but they became more mainstream in the mid 2000s. A hackathon is an event where software developers come together to collaborate in a specific project. The key to the hackathon is its intensity. The word hackathon is a… more
Feb 02, 2014
This past Sunday the GRAMMYs aired on CBS and if you were on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest or Instagram at the time you were bound to see discussions and images covering the performances, outfits, and winners.  GRAMMY.com recently announced, “Music’s biggest night is TV’s biggest social event of the 2013-2014 season with a record-breaking 34 million social media interactions.” This is an event manager’s dream!  You, too, can achieve spectacular success on social media for your event! The GRAMMYs started promoting their social media channels long… more
Jan 26, 2014
While no one has a crystal ball, there are certain social media trends that are gaining attention and are predicted to strengthen in 2014. The top three trends you should devote more time to when designing your social media strategy are: 1. Google+    Google+ has had a slow start, but they are making great strides to catch up with Facebook and as a result more people are looking at Google+ differently. Facebook has been a part of our lives for a decade now and the younger crowd is looking for something new. Google+ could be this something new. Google+ posts also help to increase… more
Jan 26, 2014
Freeman recently merged AVT Event Technologies and Encore Productions, two of its technology providers for the hospitality industry, to form Encore Event Technologies. The combination of AVT and Encore under the Encore Event Technologies brand will provide its customers with direct access to a greater pool of resources and capabilities, according to company officials.  Encore Event Technologies creates a one-stop shop for next-generation technology and full event production needs. “Establishing a single brand entity that represents Freeman’s hotel segment has always been… 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.