Association Show News

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Feb 15, 2017
In a joint announcement on the showfloor of the 52nd annual National Farm Machinery Show, Kentucky State Fair Board CEO Jason Rittenberry and Association of Equipment Manufacturers President Dennis Slater, shared with exhibitors and attendees that the two organizations have a verbal agreement on a future collaboration. NFMS currently is running Feb. 15-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Beginning with the 2018 show, AEM will assist with management and co-production of the show, as well as have an equity position in the future growth of the show.  “Every year,… more
Feb 14, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has launched its 2017 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) grant and is inviting talented events professionals from around the world to apply. UFI will award grants to up to five future leaders who have shown exceptional initiative in driving change and innovation in their area of the exhibition industry. Together, the winners will investigate the future of exhibitions, working closely with the team at UFI headquarters in Paris. They will present their findings in a special session at the 84th UFI Global Congress in Johannesburg (South… more
Feb 14, 2017
In an effort to bring affordable training to more automotive professionals in need, the UBM Community Engagement Program has joined with Automotive Management Institute (AMi), National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and Technicians Service Training (TST) to provide scholarships for NACE Automechanika Chicago covering travel expenses, training costs and access to the show. NACE Automechanika, a U.S.-based trade show dedicated to high-end technical and management-related training for automotive service and collision repair shops, will be held July 26-29 at… more
Feb 12, 2017
GES had a good 2016, with the division of the parent company Viad closing out the year with $1,054.7 billion in revenues, compared with $976.9 million in 2015 – an 8-percent uptick. Fourth-quarter revenues also saw a slight increase, up to $246.2 million from $244.5 million during the same time period in 2015, a 0.7-percent increase. “GES delivered solid fourth quarter results to finish the year in line with our prior guidance,” said Steve Moster, Viad president and CEO, president of GES.  He added, “For the full year, positive show rotation, continued underlying business strength and… more
Feb 10, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, the association for the exhibitions and events industry, has chosen Louisville as its host destination in December of 2020. This will be the first time this large industry event is held in Louisville and will utilize the expanded convention center and downtown hotel properties. IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition, Expo! Expo!, is considered “a trade show for trade show professionals.” This annual event brings upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals together - 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers - to exchange… more
Feb 10, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named the UBM EMEA – Sleep Event as winner of the 2017 UFI Marketing Award. The theme for this year’s UFI Marketing Award was “From show organizers to industry gurus – Success stories from evolving business”. This award was designed to recognize outstanding success stories from businesses that have built on their roles as event organizers to become valued exhibition industry experts. In order to be successful, this evolution requires the right strategy, the right talent – and tremendous effort. The UFI Marketing Award jury… more
Feb 09, 2017
For the first time in 50 years, SECO International will move SECO, the annual conference providing the optometry industry educational opportunities since 1924, out of Atlanta and to New Orleans. This move marks the first time SECO has held a meeting outside of Atlanta since 1957. SECO 2019 will take place Feb. 20–24 at the New Orleans Ernest Morial Convention Center. “We’re excited to bring SECO to a new city and believe the move will energize the conference on all fronts, giving us the creative luxury to reimagine the event strategy to ensure the show is meeting the business and education… more
Feb 08, 2017
The 62nd edition of Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders, which took place Jan. 7-10 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., welcomed 4,457 participants from 45 countries – a year-over-year increase of 7 percent - setting a new attendance record for the annual event. Of the total attendance, 54 percent were Business Events Strategists - PCMA members and non-members drawn from the association and corporate sectors (80 percent and 20 percent, respectively) - and 43 percent industry suppliers. On top of the in-person attendance in Nashville, 1,604 participants… more
Feb 06, 2017
We can talk all day about what the trade show industry and our employers are or are not doing to promote, protect, and compensate women (and we will), but are women doing enough to get the promotions, protections, and compensation that they deserve? Some women will say that we shouldn’t have to do anything, that equality is equality. Others might say that if anything is worth having, it’s worth working toward methodically. There may also be a group of women that is simply happy with where they are and where they’re going. What about you? In this week’s discussion, Michelle Bruno will solicit… more
Feb 02, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson Meetings and events are not immune to crises. Everything from severe weather/natural disasters to protests to a tragic accident can affect an event and require immediate and confident communication with attendees, the media and other stakeholders. And, while many events and the venues in which they reside have operational crisis plans in place, far fewer have communication strategies prepare ahead of time.  “I found that about half of my clients who hosted larger events (500+ attendees) did not have an adequate crisis communication plan prepared for their events,”… 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.