Sep 17, 2012
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) decided collocating their shows under one roof next year was a good move for both trade groups.   From July 10-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ASA’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, and AFFTA’s International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, known as IFTD, will be together for the first time. "By joining forces with ICAST and ASA to bring IFTD to Las Vegas in 2013, we are collectively creating what will truly be the largest… more
Sep 16, 2012
The Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) will make a big move in 2013 from its current home at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa., to the newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. The move is part of an effort to give PANTS more visibility, according to show officials. “We want to put the sizzle back in this show and make it an event that no one in the green trades will want to miss,” said MAC Events partner Kevin McLaughlin. He added, “Attendees who come to PANTS will not only find new ideas, products and educational… more
Sep 13, 2012
At the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Predict Conference, more than 130 C-level trade show industry leaders, M&A representatives, financiers, economists and sponsor suppliers gathered Sept. 13 in New York City and looked into a crystal ball to try and determine the future of the industry.  What they discovered was the overall sentiment in the room was one of cautious optimism. While the U.S. economy still is slowly growing, the possible collapse of the Eurozone could have a profound effect on any recovery. In addition, recent slowdowns in other emerging markets… more
Sep 09, 2012
Exhibition organisers UBM Live and UBM Asia have jointly announced the launch of industrial security, fire and safety exhibition –IFSEC Southeast Asia. The show will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) Sept. 11-13, 2013. IFSEC Southeast Asia is the latest addition to the IFSEC brand of shows which also includes geo clones in the U.K., India and Africa. UBM expects the inaugural show to attract over 11,000 visitors next year. Charlie Cracknell, event director of IFSEC, said, “Having acquired the ASEAN M&E Show, UBM Live has taken the strategic decision to… more
Sep 08, 2012
These are busy days at TSNN with another new webinar recently announced and preparations for the 3rd Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence in full swing for Nov. 2-4 in Louisville, Ky. TSNN’s newest complimentary webinar that’s part of a monthly series is “Internet Connectivity: How to Stay Connected at Events with More Demand Than Ever”. The webinar is Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. EST and the link to register is HERE. With more and more demand on wireless networks, this latest TSNN webinar will delve into what show organizers need to be considering to ensure attendees get connected and… more
Sep 06, 2012
Medical meetings have continued to grow, despite the overall economy and other pressures the sector has faced in recent years. The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association recently released its annual list of the top 50 largest U.S. medical meetings held in 2011, and average reported professional attendance increased 3.2 percent from 2010, while average reported total attendance increased 2.2 percent. These results suggest an uptick in the number of medical professionals deciding to attend these bellwether events, according to HCEA officials. The Radiological Society of North… more
Sep 06, 2012
With Los Angeles’ largest trade show, the Entertainment Software Association’s E3 Expo, recently signing on to stay through 2015, there was even more good news for the destination that 2012 will mark the best year the city has had since 2001, with 24 citywide conventions. Besides the convention market, Los Angeles also is on pace for a record-breaking tourism year, according to officials from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism). A mid-year forecast projects the destination will welcome 41.3 million visitors by year-end, 2.4 percent above the current… more
Sep 05, 2012
Overall unemployment in the United States still might be down, but hiring in the trade show industry has continued to pick up speed though the summer and into the fall. L.A. Mart proudly recently brought back Frank Joens as senior vice president and general manager of the venue in Los Angeles. Joens returns to the L.A. Mart after a brief break in his decade-long tenure of service with the building. He began his career at the L.A. Mart in 2001 as director of marketing and then two years later was promoted to director of leasing, where he helped his team achieve a more than 90 percent… more
Sep 04, 2012
The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Society of Black Engineers both signed contracts with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to bring their events to Boston in 2014 and 2016. “Over the last several years, the MCCA and city leaders have made a concerted effort to recruit minority events to come to Boston, allowing people from across the country and around the world to see our city in a new light,” said James Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. He added, “And it’s working. After the National Urban League and Blacks in… more
Sep 03, 2012
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, named Amsterdam RAI the winner of its debut competition on the theme “Best Sustainable Development Strategies“. Amsterdam RAI was selected as the winner from among six short listed finalists: Artexis Group, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Messe Frankfurt, Palexpo and UBM Live Amsterdam. The jury also decided to award an honorable mention to UBM Live Amsterdam for their systems management approach to sustainable development. Each finalist was invited to present its case study at the UFI Focus Meeting on… 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.