Feb 23, 2012
General service contractor Shepard Exposition Services has changed its ownership structure and now allows qualified employees to take part in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, known as an ESOP. In order to qualify, employees need to be full-time or part-time, working a minimum of 1.000 hours per year. Shepard has 438 qualified employees and offices that operate in 10 markets across the United States. By giving employees an opportunity to be a part of the ownership of the company, it leads to improved service, increases in revenue and company stability, according to Shepard officials.… more
Feb 22, 2012
The Face2Face Series is sponsored by MarketArt. Ask Susan Newman about where she sees herself in 20 years, and she doesn’t miss a beat. “In the next 20 years, I will be coordinating Retail’s Big Show 2032,” she said. “I can’t see a better place to work. I am very grateful for where I am and what I get to do.” Although Newman has entertained starry-eyed notions of going to Hollywood and becoming an entertainment TV show hostess, the senior vice president of conferences for the National Retail Federation said she couldn’t imagine working in… more
Feb 21, 2012
Last year was a strong one for Reed Exhibitions Greater China, but the company has its eye on the future, with a focus on ensuring they have trained personnel to fill the ranks. China is in need of more trained professionals to work in the exhibition industry, and Reed China has made skill-building a priority. The company’s Reed Exhibitions China University opened six years ago, and the university’s goal is to inspire learning and teach exhibition industry professionals how to achieve greater effectiveness in their work, according to Reed officials. The university has four… more
Feb 21, 2012
The Hawai‘i Convention Center will host the seventh International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (PACIFICHEM) in December 2015. PACIFICHEM has been held in Honolulu almost every five years since its founding in 1984 with 3,871 attendees. “Hawai‘i has exceeded our expectations every year, and we are excited to bring PACIFICHEM back to Honolulu in 2015,” said Nancy Todd, CMP, manager of American Chemical Society Meetings & Expositions Attendee Services & Contracts. She added, “We have seen continued growth at each congress, now attracting… more
Feb 21, 2012
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has shortlisted three separate consortia for the contract bid to build the new 120,000 square metre Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) at Darling Harbour. The bidding consortia will reportedly include Australian and international players with backgrounds ranging from construction to event management. The three consortia named are: 1) ‘Destination Sydney’ – made up of AEG Ogden, Lend Lease Project Management and Construction, Spotless Facility Services, Lend Lease Developments, Capella Capital… more
Feb 20, 2012
UBM’s medical device event portfolio, which includes the MD&M West show that just wrapped in Anaheim last week, just grew a little bigger, with the addition of the Medical Design & Manufacturing Conference. The new conference is on tap March 14-15 in Fort Worth, Texas. The MD&M Texas Conference is designed to provide an innovative, holistic approach to medical device design and development presented by experienced medtech industry experts, according to conference organizers. "Texas has enormous potential to become one of the leading centers for medical innovation.… more
Feb 20, 2012
When the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show opens its doors March 10-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, there will be a Japan Pavilion for the first time that will feature 10 exhibitors who directly were impacted by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami last year. The timing of the International Housewares Association's show has special significance since the second day of the four-day event marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating events that occurred March 11 in Japan. The Japan Pavilion Tohoku is a special initiative by JETRO, Japan’s governmental arm for external… more
Feb 20, 2012
In the latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s CEIR Index Report not only did the fourth quarter end with a 3.8-percent increase in overall trade show industry activity, compared with the same time period last year, but the industry also saw an overall 2.7-percent increase in 2011, compared with 2010. The trade show industry also continues to score better numbers than the GDP, which only grew 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter. In all, the trade show industry outperformed GDP for three of the four quarters during 2011 and by 1 percent for the year, with the GDP growing 1.7… more
Feb 19, 2012
More than 700 medical professionals attended the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s 28th Annual Scientific Meeting, making it a record-breaking event. The event was held Jan.18-21 at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.  “We could not be more thrilled with the attendance for the Annual Meeting,” said Dr. Angelo Cuzalina, 2011 AACS President. He added, “The Academy is a community that continues to grow globally. And this record turnout from across the world demonstrates that the Academy’s signature event, the annual meeting, is recognized as the premier… more
Feb 19, 2012
Although the retail industry hasn’t fully recovered from the gloom and doom of recent years, there were green shoots of promise growing at Advanstar Communications’ MAGIC Marketplace, the world’s largest trade show for the fashion industry. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Feb. 13-15, the biannual behemoth draws global buyers and sellers of the latest trends in men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, footwear, accessories and sourcing resources. Show representatives were unable to release attendance figures by… 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.