Oct 07, 2014
Reed Exhibitions continues to expand into Mexico with the recent buy of event organizer Grupo Fidalex, which has 15 brands in the country. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "In 2015, Reed will deliver well over 75,000 net square meters of exhibition volume and serve almost 2,800 exhibiting customers and more than 140,000 buyers (in Mexico)," said Nancy Walsh, president of Reed Exhibitions North America. She added, "But this isn't about being the biggest in Mexico - which we are; it's about delivering the best value to our customers in Mexico, the partners from whom we acquired the events… more
Oct 06, 2014
The Federal Communications Commission has fined Marriott International and Marriott Hotel Services $600,000 for blocking Wi-Fi at events in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. The FCC Enforcement Bureau’s investigation revealed that Marriott employees had used containment features of a Wi-Fi monitoring system at the Gaylord Opryland to prevent individuals from connecting to the Internet via their own personal Wi-Fi networks, while at the same time charging consumers, small businesses and exhibitors as much as $1,000 per device to access Marriott’s Wi-Fi network. The… more
Oct 02, 2014
The 5th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence will feature a bevy of well-known personalities, including CEO of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise – Len Komoroski, who will give the luncheon keynote; Celebrity Chef Michael Symon, who will host the Sunday Brunch; and Meteorologist Betsy Kling, who will be the event’s emcee. All three will take part in a celebratory weekend Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland that will kick off Friday night with an opening party and afterglow, with a conference and luncheon the next day, followed by the awards gala and afterglow that evening and capped… more
Oct 02, 2014
Two industries that couldn’t be more different – Natural Products Expo East and the Great American Trucking Show - both saw increases on the showfloor at their recent events. NPE East, owned by Penton’s New Hope Natural Media, the East Coast's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, brought together more than 23,000 attendees and 1,277 exhibitors Sept. 17-20 at the Baltimore (Md.) Convention Center. Adam Andersen, show director, Natural Products Expos said, "We are very pleased to be the conduit where passionate, innovative natural products manufacturers bring healthy solutions… more
Oct 02, 2014
A few days ago, David DuBois, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events, sent out an e-mail giving several compelling reasons the industry should support the research done by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The fundraising efforts went into hyper drive, after a return e-mail to the origiginal from DuBois was sent by Chris Brown, executive vice president of Conventions & Business Operations for the National Association of Broadcasters, pledging $50,000 on behalf of his organization, which was quickly followed by Chris Dolnack, senior vice… more
Oct 01, 2014
U.K.-based UBM has agreed to buy Advanstar Communications for $972 Million from hedge fund Anchorage Capital Group LLC and private equity companies Veronis Suhler Stevenson and Ares Management. The deal will make it the largest trade show organizer in the United States. “This is a great acquisition for UBM and its shareholders. In addition to being financially attractive, it strengthens UBM’s core events business, while balancing and complementing UBM’s strong events portfolio in emerging markets,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold. He added, “UBM will become the largest events organizer in the US –… more
Sep 29, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – "The Big Bang Theory of Event Content Marketing". The webinar will be held Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. EST and you can register HERE. Your event’s content is likely it’s most valuable asset. Your presenters spend countless hours planning, researching, writing and preparing groundbreaking information to deliver to your attendees. And yet, that valuable content only gets exposed for an hour or 75 minutes. Then, it’s gone from sight. Show organizers need to make their content last beyond the… more
Sep 29, 2014
Have you nominated your favorite show organizer to be named Show Manager of the Year? Nominations are accepted at no charge online HERE. The deadline is Sept. 30. The awards will be presented this year at the TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) industry celebration!  Since 2000, The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards have been given to individuals who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community. "Our independent panel of judges struggles annually to choose winners from among the group of smart,… more
Sep 29, 2014
Several shows have recently signed on to renew their contracts or in the midst of long ones at Detroit’s Cobo Center, leading to what Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of the venue, calls one of the most successful years in “memorable history”. The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and SME just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress. The Shell-Eco Marathon energy efficient… more
Sep 28, 2014
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has appointed J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. as its registration, housing, and lead retrieval company for its 2015, 2016, and 2017 Annual Clinical & Scientific Meetings. The event highlights new technology, current clinical dilemmas, and “hot topics” facing those involved in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.  The 2015 Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting will be held May 2-6 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Founded in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has… 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.