Association Show News
Sponsored by
Jan 03, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently opened a regional office in Latin America.
Based in Bogota, Colombia, the new office will serve the growing number of UFI members across Latin America, and will be the base for collaborations with national and region industry associations like AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA and UBRAFE.
The position of the UFI Regional Manager for Latin America will be filled by Ana Maria Arango.
"UFI is the global association for our exhibition industry. I am very pleased that we are now in a position to also have a permanent presence in Latin America… more
Dec 16, 2017
Ray Kopcinski, CMP, Carrie Freeman Parsons and Dr. Godwin Charles Ogbeide, PhD, MBA will be honored at the 2018 Visionary Awards on May 2 at the Marriott Marquis, Washington DC.
More than 1,000 business events industry professionals will gather this spring at the Visionary Awards to honor these luminaries’ extraordinary contributions.
Attendees will experience an Oscars-like evening with red carpet arrival, awards show, and after party, hosted by the PCMA Education Foundation and presented in partnership with Visit Austin and Austin Convention Center.
“We are thrilled to celebrate these… more
Dec 14, 2017
Houston will soon host one of the largest meetings of dental professionals in the nation in 2022.
The American Dental Association (ADA), Texas Dental Association (TDA) and Greater Houston Dental Society will combine respective conventions, collectively bringing more than 30,000 attendees to Houston's downtown campus, Avenida Houston.
“We are enthused the ADA and its counterparts chose Houston as its destination for 2022,” said John Solis, senior vice president of sales for Visit Houston.
He added, “As home to the largest medical center, Houston is a natural fit for medical meetings of… more
Dec 06, 2017
UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry has taken a look into their crystal ball and come up with “5 Trends to Watch in 2018”.
The good news is the exhibition industry here in the US and in most places overseas continues to grow, the challenges include recruiting and retaining key talent and staying on top of security initiatives.
Here are UFI’s “5 Trends to Watch in 2018”.
1. The seemingly stable core
Despite political tensions, a rise in protectionism, and a perceived fragility of free trade, both the global economy and the exhibition industry as a whole are growing… more
Dec 05, 2017
Getting together face-to-face was the primary goal of the 2017 IAEE Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which took place Nov. 28–30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The show focused on making connections, both with fellow attendees and with education sessions that ran on three tracks: researched-informed, data-guided and experience-designed.
There were several new features for this year’s show. These included the Tech Start Up Competition, sponsored by Visit Austin and the Austin Convention Center; the CEIR Research Sneak Peek & Luncheon,… more
Dec 04, 2017
After more than 12 years, President and CEO Deborah Sexton has decided to move on from the Professional Convention Management Association and will step down after the upcoming Convening Leaders event in January in Nashville.
Sexton shared her decision with the Board of Directors at the September meeting. The Board voted unanimously to approve COO Sherrif Karamat as the new CEO.
This follows careful succession planning at PCMA, where Sexton and Karamat have worked closely together since 2005.
“Deborah’s passion, boundless energy and her hunger to continuously innovate have resulted in… more
Nov 27, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveiled the results of the elections for its 2018 Board of Directors.
IAEE also welcomes incoming Chairperson of the Board Daniel McKinnon, CEM. McKinnon is vice president, Client Solutions – Global at FreemanXP.
“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to apply my years of experience as both a show organizer and supplier partner to the greater good of the industry which I could not be more proud to serve,” McKinnon said.
He added, “I am eager to continue the great work of those who came before me, and look forward to an… more
Nov 26, 2017
The Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC) has selected SmithBucklin, an association management and services company, to provide full-service association management. Elizabeth Summy, CAE, serves as HRMAC’s chief executive officer, and its headquarters is at 330 N. Wabash, Chicago.
Founded in 1915, HRMAC is Chicagoland's premier resource for advancing workplace strategy and leadership. HRMAC’s membership is composed of nearly 750 Chicago-area organizations with a network of over 7,000 HR professionals from every business sector, representing small private companies to multi… more
Nov 26, 2017
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions had a record 39,000 registered attractions industry professionals gather in Orlando to learn, buy and network at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017.
"The success of this year's show is a true testament to the continued growth and strength of attractions around the world," said Paul Noland, IAAPA president and CEO.
He added, "Achieving this record-breaking attendance as we kick off IAAPA's 100th anniversary celebration is a remarkable milestone in our association's history. We thank all of our attendees, exhibitors, members, and… more
Nov 26, 2017
Karen Gonzales, CMP has joined the staff of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events as director, Partnership Relations.
In this role, she will assist with selling exhibit space for Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition and manage the sponsorship and advertising programs for IAEE, as well as fundraising for Exhibitions Mean Business. Gonzales will also engage in outreach and attendee acquisition for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation’s initiatives.
“I am honored to join the IAEE Team! This role allows me to engage and expand global… 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.