May 04, 2015
A new association for women who are in the events industry, aptly called the Association of Women in Events, recently launched to connect and empower women in the meetings and events industry.
Founded by Carrie Abernathy, Tamela Blalock, Mas Tadesse Harris, Mary Higham and Kiki Janssens, AWE is a national association based in Washington, D.C., and officially launched March 30.
“This organization fills a need," said Carrie Abernathy, AWE Co-Founder. “There are a lot of resources out there, but it's difficult to find anything specifically geared towards women. AWE empowers a thirsty… more
May 03, 2015
Negative show rotation in the first quarter of 2015 had an impact on Viad’s overall revenues, dipping to $264.4 million, compared with $285.6 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Global Experience Specialists, a division of Viad, also saw first-quarter revenues decrease to $256.9 million, compared with $277.8 million during the same time period last year.
"Both business groups delivered steady progress toward our financial goals for 2015. Results for the quarter were in line with guidance and the underlying businesses performed well, with continued same-show growth in M&E (… more
Apr 30, 2015
There were several high-profile shifts in show management recently, with some people retiring, others named into new positions and another taking on a new role altogether.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation promoted Melissa Schilling to the position of director, Exhibitions & Conferences. Schilling’s most recent position with the organization was director, Recruitment & Retention, a title she held since 2012.
Schilling worked on the development and organization of NSSF’s many conferences and shows, including its annual Industry Summit, Congressional Fly-In and the SHOT Show, one… more
Apr 30, 2015
Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo, both part of Emerald Exposition’s portfolio, have partnered with the StandUp Paddle Industry Association (SUPIA).
SUPIA is the trade organization of stand up paddle businesses: manufacturers, retailers, service providers (instructors, guides, race directors, event planners, certifiers), media, sales reps, distributors, suppliers, etc.
As a result of this partnership, SUPIA will exclusively endorse and participate in Surf Expo’s two annual shows and Outdoor Retailer’s Summer Market, as well as work to foster participation and growth in SUP at the shows… more
Apr 29, 2015
The United Fresh Produce Association, already with a successful show serving the produce industry in June in Chicago, has teamed up with the Global Cold Chain Alliance, which represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics, to launch Global Chain Cold Expo.
The new show will be collocated with not only United Fresh, but also FMI Connect and the International Floriculture Expo June 2016 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO for GCCA, and Tom Stenzel, president and CEO for United Fresh, jointly made the announcement during the IARW-WFLO… more
Apr 28, 2015
The 2015 AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting and Exhibition, held April 18–22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, highlighted the latest, most exciting discoveries in every area of cancer research.
The annual meeting attracted a record-breaking 19,250 attendees, which was up 4 percent from last year’s meeting held in San Diego.
While Philadelphia is more convenient to those traveling from Europe and is situated midway between New York and Washington D.C., Pam Ballinger, senior director of meetings and exhibits at the AACR, felt convenience was not… more
Apr 28, 2015
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) officials said that One-on-One Partnering™, BIO’s proprietary software system, was unveiled for the 2015 BIO International Convention, taking place June 15-18 in Philadelphia.
One-on-One Partnering™, which powers tens of thousands of individual business-to-business meetings each year at BIO events, has been newly redesigned to improve user experience and increase value for event attendees.
The new system is the result of a collaboration between BIO and INOVA, the life sciences’ leading partnering place provider.
Attendees of the 2015 BIO… more
Apr 28, 2015
As a result of violent protests in Baltimore that broke out following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody, the Door and Hardware Institute decided to cancel its CoNEXTions 2015 trade show, which was scheduled April 29-May 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
“The DHI Board of Governors has discussed this issue in great detail this evening, with the overriding concern of the safety of our attendees while at our event in Baltimore,” DHI officials said in a letter on the show’s Web site.
The letter continued, “With that primary concern in mind, they have unanimously… more
Apr 27, 2015
TSNN has launched a new e-newsletter – TSNN Venue News – that will be geared toward any and all news about the world of venues in which shows and events are held.
Adding to its comprehensive suite of existing e-newsletters, TSNN Venue News will have up-to-date stories on venue construction and expansion projects, new management contracts, technological upgrades, people on the move and any other news that comes out of the venue universe.
To submit any news, please send to TSNN President Rachel Wimberly rwimberly@tsnn.com. To subscribe to the TSNN Venue News e-newsletter, go HERE.
Our goal… more
Apr 27, 2015
The Anaheim Convention Center kicked off their seventh betterment expansion with a ground breaking ceremony last week.
Tom Morton, executive director, Convention, Sports and Entertainment, started the ceremony with a focus on the future, as well as thanks to the many individuals who helped make the expansion possible.
“With this 7th betterment expansion, the ACC will continue to be the largest convention facility on the West Coast,” he said. “This expansion is about the future, in particular, meeting the demands of the future for the shows that continue to grow.”
Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Lucille… 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.