News
Feb 12, 2020
Event organizers seeking another digital alternative to printing thousands of program books for conferences and events now have a more cost-effective option. Application and review software platform OpenWater has unveiled ProgramBook, a mobile app that transforms printed content including abstracts, sessions and author information into a searchable mobile companion available for both Android and iOS devices.
Designed to help scientific organizations, professional societies and trade associations organize and manage their annual meetings, conferences and events, the new app allows event… more
Feb 12, 2020
The biannual MAGIC fashion trade show that took place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Feb. 5-7 had more to deal with than fashion trends. It had to negotiate a move to a new facility and adjust to the rapidly changing global health situation all at once.
Usually occupying most of Las Vegas Convention Center, the event made plans to move to Mandalay Bay Convention Center for just one show. “We had to do it to get us back on the normal February and August schedule at the LVCC,” said Tom Nastos, chief commercial officer for the Fashion Group of Informa Exhibitions, which owns the show.… more
Feb 11, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, today released the latest edition of its Global Barometer research, which measures the state of the global exhibition industry. Among the highlights: strong industry performance overall for 2019, but also high uncertainty looking ahead for this year in regions such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America. (Note: This research was conducted before the coronavirus outbreak, which may be impacting outlook.)
“Exhibitions grew again in 2019, but a slowdown is expected for the beginning of 2020,” says Kai Hattendorf, managing director and CEO of… more
Feb 10, 2020
Two major convention venues in the Southeast U.S. have been expanding their event spaces to accommodate more trade show business. Here’s how things are developing with Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center and Florida’s Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
Georgia World Congress Center Completes Exhibit Hall BC
Georgia World Congress Center’s new $55 million Exhibit Hall BC project has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget. With the 100,000-square-foot expansion creating more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space, the GWCC’s total exhibit space… more
Feb 07, 2020
When Natural Products Expo Group Show Director Lacey Gautier joined New Hope Network (now a division of Informa Markets) more than eight years ago, the two natural products trade shows she now oversees had already established their fair share of extensive sustainability practices. In fact, Natural Products Expo East and West have been quietly reducing their environmental footprint since the early ’90s – long before event sustainability was in vogue. Since then, the show has built upon a strong foundation and expanded its sustainability program, an effort in which Gautier has played a key part… more
Feb 06, 2020
Debuted this week at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Haute House, Proxfinity CUE 2.0 gives event attendees an easier way to network through what company officials describe as “professionally identifiable data.”
Networking is one of the biggest challenges for many event attendees. It’s not always easy to introduce yourself to a stranger or identify who the best people are for you to talk to. Sometimes you need an ice-breaker, or a cue, to get those conversations started. Proxfinity’s new smart badge is designed to help event organizers make sparking that first connection easier for attendees… more
Feb 05, 2020
The Raleigh Convention Center and its catering partner, Centerplate, kicked off the new year on a compassionate note by launching a new community meal donation program to benefit local nonprofits in The Triangle region (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, N.C.) and surrounding areas. Dubbed Share Your Meal, the initiative allows event organizers to help people in need by ordering additional meals at their meetings or conferences that are then donated to the Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina and the agencies it supports.
Through this initiative, organizations hosting… more
Feb 04, 2020
For the first time, the PGA Merchandise Show—the largest gathering of PGA professionals—co-located with National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Business Conference and Racquet & Paddle Sports Show. All three shows wrapped up last week to great success at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“Being in the same place over the same week with PGA professionals and their leadership allows for organic and planned opportunities for collaboration,” said Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA. “The NGCOA is helping to promote to our audience the value that PGA Members bring to their facilities…… more
Feb 04, 2020
Emerald Expositions Events today launched a new brand identity, vision, corporate website and formal name change to Emerald Holding, Inc. According to Emerald officials, these changes reflect the company’s evolution and core commitment to building dynamic market platforms that integrate live events, community-relevant content and data-focused solutions into uniquely rich experiences.
“As our portfolio of events and services has advanced, we have now evolved the Emerald brand to better reflect who we are – a company fully immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the… more
Feb 03, 2020
Two leading event producers are expanding their reach in the consumer show marketplace with a popular show acquisition and a launch.
Marketplace Events Scoops Up Cincinnati Holiday Market
Cleveland-based Marketplace Events, known as the largest producer of B2C shows in the U.S. and Canada, has acquired the Cincinnati Holiday Market from Hart Productions of Cincinnati, Ohio. As the first of the new year for Marketplace Events, the acquisition marks the 13th since the company was purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in early 2016.
Held annually at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the… 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.