
Mar 22, 2013
Timed with the American Society of Association Executive’s annual legislative fly-in for American Associations Day, held March 18-19, the organization gathered letters to deliver to Senate offices opposing a proposed amendment to H.R. 933 that would prohibit federal agencies from sending more than 25 employees to any meeting or conference held in the United States.
The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), which was offered in response to reports last year of wasteful conference spending by the General Services Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs, was… more

Mar 20, 2013
Improving expectations of sales and the position of the United States at the top of global market drove increasing exhibitor and attendee confidence at 2013 EXHIBITOR Show, the annual gathering of the trade show industry that took place March 17–21 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Some 296 exhibitors presented everything from motion-activated displays to live sculpting to inflatable chairs, not to mention the latest in creative strategy and social media integration. The show attracted about 5,600 attendees and spanned approximately 67,000 square feet, up 13.5 percent… more
Mar 18, 2013
The trade show industry started off last year with strong numbers, as tracked by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Index, with continued growth of 2.4 percent in the first two quarters of the year, but the third and fourth quarters saw a slowdown, with 2012 ending with overall 1.5-percent growth.
The numbers missed CEIR’s initial projections of 2.9-percent year-over-year growth for 2012, compared with 2011. Even though the last two quarter’s numbers were down, they still marked 10 consecutive quarters of growth for the trade show industry.
While the results… more

Mar 18, 2013
The new convention center in Nashville, Tenn., is set to open its doors with a big grand opening celebration that will feature a free concert with musician Sheryl Crow, street party and open house for the community during the May 19-20 event.
“I continue to be impressed by the size and beauty of the Music City Center and encourage Nashvillians to see it for themselves during the grand opening,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
He added, “There’s no doubt we are a city with momentum, and with the opening of the Music City Center in May, even more tourists and… more

Mar 17, 2013
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has chosen Galen Poss, COO of dmg :: events, as the 2013 "Legend of the Industry" for this year’s IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, as well as recently formed a strategic partnership with the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, on tap June 11-13 in Chicago, to produce educational content.
The IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, which provides professional development for a group of industry professionals who were selected by the Krakoff Leadership Institute Committee as the industry’s future leaders based on… more

Mar 17, 2013
There’s no question that people love their pets, especially taking into account the record-breaking show numbers that recently were revealed for the American Pet Products Association’s and the Pet Industry Distributors Association’s Global Pet Expo 2013.
The show, held Feb. 20-22 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, attracted 5,327 buyers, a 5-percent increase, compared with last year.
There also more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 964 exhibitors and 2,686 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers reported in Global Pet Expo’s nine-… more

Mar 12, 2013
Military spending is running the gamut of so many issues right now that some conferences and shows already have canceled and others are seeing drops in exhibit floor spend. Fortunately, though, some still seem to be weathering the storm.
The Department of Defense is faced with not only the possible impact of nearly $500 billion in cuts over the next decade as part of the sequestration recently signed into law, but also compounding the problem is the absence of proper appropriation bills that has led to stop-gap funding called ‘Continuing Resolution’, as well as scrutiny… more

Mar 12, 2013
Association management company Naylor has bought Global Exchange Events – a producer of appointment-based events “exchange events”, which includes 10 events that were produced last year and another 13 that are planned for this year.
"Adding exchange event expertise and capability is a logical extension of the Naylor menu of print, digital and event offerings, and we now have market-leading expertise in what is a rapidly emerging type of event," said Alex DeBarr, Naylor president and CEO.
He added, "Exchange events can be a high value offering for… more
Mar 11, 2013
Aisles still were bustling and talk of new contracts was in the air on the closing day of the Heli-Expo 2013 that took place March 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Produced by Helicopter Association International, the annual show for the helicopter industry featured 736 exhibitors on nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space and attracted 20,393 attendees, many of whom were here to check out 60 beautiful choppers.
“Las Vegas has been a great city for us,” said Chris Dancy, director of communications and public relations for HAI. “We’ve set records in just… more

Mar 11, 2013
Messe Muenchen’s ISPO Beijing 2013, for the retail sports industry, broke several records when it recently ran at the China National Convention Center in Beijing
"ISPO BEIJING 2013 has confirmed that this emerging market has a consumer that desires quality products reflecting the modern Asian lifestyle,” said Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe Muenchen.
We are proud to be contributing to this dynamic future by providing such a successful business and trend platform."
The show broke all of its previous records, with more than 27,800 industry professionalsm, a 14… 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.