Jun 03, 2015
For the sixth year in row, Trade Show News Network is holding its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program that honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta. The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled weekend can be found below and HERE.   “The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2012-2014 in attendance and net square footage,” said TSNN President and Editor-in-Chief Rachel Wimberly. She added, “We are really excited to fete all of the… more
Jun 03, 2015
UBM has bought the largest health care show in Latin America – Hospitalar – from SPFC Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  "We are delighted to have acquired Hospitalar.  It is a "must-attend" show with an increasingly international customer base and will further strengthen our position in Brazil. It also fits very neatly with the wider UBM portfolio and we are excited about the opportunity to leverage UBM's strong position in the Medical Device and Manufacturing sector,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold.  He added, “We are already planning to collocate a MD&M show… more
Jun 02, 2015
The 2015 Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum, held May 27 in Washington, D.C., drew more than 200 trade show organizers and suppliers to a packed room at the J.W. Marriott to take part in a day filled with engaging sessions.  In its 14th year, ECEF drew not only a record number of registrants, but also a record number of sponsors and participating publications, according to ECEF Founder Sam Lippman. “This year has been a great year,” he added.  The full day kicked off bright and early with a keynote by Scott Schenker, general manager, Events and Production Studio,… more
Jun 02, 2015
The 96th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the collocated BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) at NRA Show, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 16-19, posted record exhibit space and a 3 percent uptick in registration in the key buyer category of restaurant and foodservice operators. “Across all three halls and all four days of NRA Show and BAR, the optimism of the restaurant and hospitality industry could be felt around every corner,” said John Metz, Jr., 2015 NRA Convention Chair and Executive Chef, CEO and Co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern. He… more
Jun 01, 2015
The severe winter weather in much of the U.S. didn’t put a damper on the trade show industry, with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s quarterly CEIR Index Report tracking growth to be 4.6 percent in Q1 2015, compared with the same time period in 2014. It is the highest increase since the second quarter of 2007, in other words, before the recession hit. "The performance in the first quarter was remarkable considering that the east coast was frequently paralyzed under severe winter weather," said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting… more
Jun 01, 2015
In its 26th year, LIGHTFAIR International 2015’s show broke attendance and showfloor records across the board when it was held May 5-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. “The convergence of light and technology is a defining factor in LFI’s 2015 unprecedented success,” said Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of LFI managing partner AmericasMart® Atlanta. He added, “For more than a quarter century, LIGHTFAIR has created the world’s global stage for lighting and design innovation. At LFI 2015, technology emerged as the… more
May 31, 2015
Even after a public attack by Budweiser during Super Bowl 2015 mocking craft beer drinkers, it didn’t seem to faze those who are in the industry at all, with the recent Craft Beverage Expo selling out its showfloor. In its second year, CBE 2015 not only gathered professionals in beer, wine, spirits and cider, but it also expanded its audience to include mead, sake and soda segments. “The CBE staff has worked tirelessly to provide attendees with a diverse set of resources,” said Kellie Shevlin, executive director of Craft Beverage Expo. She added, “We know these craft beverage producers are… more
May 29, 2015
After its purchase of Hanley Wood Exhibitions last November, U.K.-based Informa Exhibitions is adding onto its residential, commercial design and construction portfolio in the United States with the acquisition of Dwell on Design from Dwell Media. Dwell on Design has two annual events in New York and Los Angeles and will be run by Informa Exhibitions U.S., Construction and Real Estate division. The buy cements a formal partnership between Dwell Media and Informa with the goal of expanding the existing shows’ scope and taking it international. “Dwell Media, the voice of modern design, has… more
May 28, 2015
The month of May has been an unusually busy one for new hires across a wide variety of companies in the trade show industry. The Expo Group hired Lloyd van Meter its new general manager in its Las Vegas offices. Van Meter has extensive freight expertise, as well as 15 years in the trade show industry and strong leadership skills honed in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Expo Group also named Mitchell Gross as the new leader of its growing custom exhibits department. Gross also will continue to lead the Finance department for the company. Prior to becoming operations manager for MC2 Events Exhibits… more
May 28, 2015
Metropolitan Exposition Services has forged a partnership agreement with Orlando-based Fan Experiences, which supplies housing services. “We are genuinely excited to add a housing component to our ever expanding portfolio, and are especially thrilled to be working with such a respected industry trendsetter as Fan Experiences,” said Metropolitan General Manager Gina Calderon.   She added, “Continuing on with our plan of strategic diversification, we are now able to offer clients a range of services that is unparalleled in the business.” Metropolitan Exposition Services’ client base… 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.