May 11, 2014
Winter is finally in the rearview mirror for most of the United States, and promoting and hiring has continued into April and May for companies in the trade show industry.
David Causton, general manager of Chicago’s McCormick Place, bas been upped by venue management company SMG to regional vice president of the company’s Convention Center Division. Causton, who has been with the center since 2004, will maintain his role as general manager of the facility.
“The successes we have had at McCormick Place are attributable to David’s leadership. He has… more
May 08, 2014
More than 1,300 attendees, who are members of the artisan wine, craft beer, craft spiritsand craft cider industries, gathered May 6-8 in San Jose, Calif., for the inaugural Craft Beverage Expo.
“The turnout was simply incredible - the educational sessions were thought-provoking, and the networking events had great energy” said Kellie Shevlin, executive director of Craft Beverage Expo.
She added, “These folks work very hard at their craft and as small business owners it's challenging for them to get away for educational and networking purposes. We’re so proud and… more
May 07, 2014
After more than 42 years in the hospitality industry and 14-plus years at the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, its president and CEO Greg Ortale submitted his resignation May 1.
Ortale said it seemed like the right time, especially since Houston First Corp., which oversees the city's convention center and other venues and is the majority funder of the GHCVB, is in discussions to possibly absorb it.
“This was totally my decision,” he added. “The No. 1 reason I decided to step down was it seemed like the right time. The changes that are going to go on here… more
May 07, 2014
For every, single show, organizers have to evaluate not only how they are going to spend their dollars to draw people there, but also what methods they will use.
In the latest in its series of reports, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research examined spending and the marketing-mix allocation for attendee promotions and marketing tactics found to be most effective in driving attendance at exhibitions - Cost to Attract Attendees.
Exhibition organizers use a broad range of traditional and digital tactics to attract qualified attendees to their events.
E-mail still reigns supreme, with 96… more
May 05, 2014
The HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, billed as the largest fair of its kind in the world, and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair closed their four-day shows at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo, respectively, with more than 65,000 total buyers.
The buyers came from 151 countries and regions, with overseas buyers up by six percent, compared with last year.
Buyers from Asia, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, India and Indonesia, recorded double-digit percentage growth.
Traditional markets such as Japan, the United… more
May 05, 2014
The Association of Korean Exhibition Industry (AKEI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
The signing ceremony was held at the Landmark Hotel Bangkok attended by Yang-whan Jeong (vice-chairman of AKEI), Sang-kon Kim (deputy director of MOTIE), Nopparat Maythaveekulchai (president of TCEB), Patrapee Chinachoti (president of TEA) and executives and members of TEA in Bangkok.
AKEI is the representative organization in the Korean exhibition industry with its 53 members who conduct various roles from supporting and promoting… more
May 05, 2014
It’s been a roller coaster ride over at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and, with the local Carpenters’ union striking twice in the past year - most recently in the middle of a show last week - venue officials drew a line in the sand and issued an ultimatum to all six unions working in the center.
A deadline of a minute before midnight May 5 was set for the unions to sign a new “Customer Service Agreement” that would allow exhibitors to do more of their own work at the Pennsylvania CC, and two of those unions, Carpenters Local 8 and Teamsters Local… more
May 05, 2014
Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. will launch a new business-to-business trade show - 1st CONSUMER IT PRODUCTS EXPO (C-PEX) - in Tokyo next spring.
This new show will be part of of Japan’s largest and Asia’s leading comprehensive IT solution trade show - Japan IT Week, providing a new platform for consumer IT related business in Japan and Asia.
C-PEX will specialize in consumer IT products (Smartphones/Tablets/Wearable Devices, PCs, and related accessories) and will be a platform to launch such products into Japan & Asia as well as finding the latest products from the region.
As… more
May 04, 2014
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has sold out the Asian Attractions Expo 2014 that spans more than 91,439 net square feet (8,500 net square meters), setting a new record for exhibit space at the event.
More than 5,000 attendees are expected to participate, which will take place June 17-20 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
The record-breaking trade show will feature new products and services for the amusement parks and attractions industry offered by more than 290 companies who are looking to connect with an estimated 3,500 buyers from 60… more
May 04, 2014
Medical World Americas, a unique collaboration between the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB), Germany-based Messe Duesseldorf, the Texas Medical Center and Houston First Corp., debuted this week at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Drawing more than 120 exhibitors, who came from across the U.S. and 11 countries, as well as 2,017 registered attendees from 33 states and 22 countries, the launch of the show was seen as a strong platform to grow from, according to organizers.
“The inaugural staging of Medical World Americas has set a foundation for the growth of… 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.