May 23, 2016
Video gamers likely are rejoicing today, with the Entertainment Software Association, producers of the annual E3 Expo for the video gaming industry, unveiling a new event – E3 Live - that will be open to the public. On tap June 14-16 at L.A. Live, the same time as E3 Expo next door at the Los Angeles Convention Center, video gamers will have the opportunity to enjoy video games, music, competitions and video game swag from some of the biggest names in the industry.   "The biggest event in video games is bringing gamers to the next level. We are excited to introduce E3 Live, an… more
May 23, 2016
The Cobo Center’s green efforts are paying off, with the Detroit-based venue snagging the Sustainable Brands conference next year, which previously was held in San Diego. “Sustainable Brands has been committed to reducing and managing the environmental impact of our flagship conference for years now and we are excited to be bringing our community to Cobo Center in May 2017,” said David Fiss, executive producer of Live Events at Sustainable Brands. He added, “In 2013, we were the first event organizer in North America to achieve conformity to the ISO 20121 Standard requiring event organizers… more
May 21, 2016
At the 1928 conference of the National Association of Greenkeepers of America (now known as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America), 350 participants gathered at the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit to see the latest innovations in golf course maintenance equipment and technology from 27 exhibitors. Fred A. Burkhardt from Cleveland, Ohio, spearheaded efforts to launch the National Greenkeepers Golf Show, with the goal of offering collaboration opportunities for golf course managers to exchange ideas and strengthen peer-to-peer relationships. And the audience responded – floor… more
May 18, 2016
With the subject of food safety in the news after various recalls across the United States, it’s no wonder the 18th Annual Food Safety Summit, held recently for the first time in Rosemont, attracted nearly 1,700 registered food safety professionals. Attendance was a 12-percent increase in registered attendees, compared with last year’s event, and more than 200 exhibiting companies also were on the showfloor, a 20-percent increase from 2015.  During the three-day event, which is run by BNP Media and was held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, food safety professionals… more
May 18, 2016
People hirings and promotions seemed to be happening at warp speed as winter turned into spring, with suppliers and show management companies strengthening their ranks. Ungerboeck Software International’s Manish Chandak, who was CTO of the company, was named president and CEO.   “Manish possesses the unique ability to translate vision and strategy into world-class execution,” said Ungerboeck founder and chairman of the board, Dieter Ungerboeck. “This will move us forward with the speed required to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us.”  Prior to joining Ungerboeck, Chandak… more
May 17, 2016
A truly global group of talent from the exhibition industry has been selected as the first-ever recipients of the new “Next Generation Leadership Grant” launched by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. The program promotes the next generation leadership in the exhibition industry, who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their respective area. Out of the numerous applications from 16 different countries, a jury, chaired by UFI President Sergey Alexeev, selected the five recipients of the grant. They are (in alphabetical order): • Adeline Larroque… more
May 17, 2016
Forget early morning yoga. Though it’s a popular event at trade shows and conferences, it tends to in most cases to only attract a few die-hard enthusiasts, says Dr. Kim, president and CEO of X bytes, a byte-size wellness company. A much better solution would be to focus on combatting mid-morning and mid-afternoon sitting fatigue with a fitness break. Going a step further? How about turning your networking meeting into a cycling class? Incorporating wellness has become a popular move for trade shows and conferences, but making it fun and enticing remains a challenge. Though most people would… more
May 17, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrated a sold-out Women’s Leadership Forum April 26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. More than 200 attendees took part in this year’s event, which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career. “This year’s attendance reflects the overwhelming interest in programming addressing topics specific to female professionals,” said 2016 IAEE Chairperson Julie Smith, CEM, CTA. She added, “We have received very positive feedback about the forum and look forward to creating another… more
May 16, 2016
LIGHTFAIR International 2016 set new trade show floor and West Coast attendance records during its five-day run in San Diego Convention Center, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and COO of LFI managing partner AmericasMart Atlanta. “The convergence of light and technology marked every dimension of LFI 2016 with new product introductions, new design concepts and new connectivity setting clear direction for the way forward,” Portman said.  He added, “We expect our 2016 event to have transformative impact on the world of lighting design now and for years to come… more
May 14, 2016
EMS 2016 took place in Denver May 4-6 at the Colorado Convention Center, and with it, more than 1,300 attendees and 125 exhibitors, an increase from 2015.  “As the industry evolves, so does the Experiential Marketing Summit,” said Event Marketer Magazine Group Editor Jessica Heasley. “We continue to focus on the content and the overall experience.” Both the Pepsi and Chobani keynotes were the topic of conversation with attendees, especially the insights brought by Chobani Chief Marketing Officer Peter McGuinness.  “Everything done well can be an experience for your customer, and… 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.