News
Dec 13, 2018
Merriam-Webster defines the snowball effect as a situation in which one action or event causes many other similar actions or events. And that is exactly what event tech startup snöball (with a lowercase “s”) is designed to do for word-of-mouth, or influencer, marketing.
Snöballhelps event organizers harness the power of influencer marketing and put it to use for their events. With snöball, planners can empower all their constituents, or micro-influencers, to raise awareness of an event in a personal — and therefore more meaningful — manner.
The brainchild of industry veteran Rachel Stephan… more
Dec 12, 2018
The North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV Show), a biennial B2B trucking industry trade show designed for commercial vehicle fleet owners, managers and decision-makers, is getting ready to grow its expo space and expand its offerings when it returns to Atlanta for its second edition next fall.
Set for Oct. 28-31 at the Georgia World Congress Center, the NACV Show will cover 530,000 square feet of net exhibition space in 2019, a 43 percent spike from 370,000 sq. ft. when the event made its debut there in 2017.
According to show officials, the 2019 show will not only span the GWCC’s… more
Dec 11, 2018
Leaving a destination better than one found it isn’t just a theme that’s been resonating with many events lately – it’s been inspiring some convention and visitors bureaus to do their part, too.
Case in point is the Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB), which teamed up with 13 of its partners for a Volunteer Day consisting of a full-day park clean up at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah prior to IMEX America, held last October in Las Vegas.
With corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives a top priority for BCB and its partners, the activity was created to showcase BCB’s CSR initiative… more
Dec 11, 2018
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is continuing to reinvigorate Houston’s convention center campus and the city’s Downtown area with its latest public art installation, LOOP.
A cross between a music box, a zoetrope and a railway handcar, LOOP is a retro-futuristic machine that spans more than six feet in diameter and creates animated fairy-tale loops.
Through the combined efforts of visitors working the hand lever, the image cylinder spins and lights up, creating the illusion of motion in the drawings.
“The artistry and creativity of LOOP elevate the Downtown Houston visitor experience,”… more
Dec 11, 2018
Freeman has expanded its offerings to clients even more by acquiring mdg, a full-service event marketing and public relations agency.
The acquisition enhances the Freeman spectrum of services from pre-event marketing and on-site user experience to post-show communications based on data-informed insights.
“The events business is undergoing a significant transformation - one that requires a sophisticated degree of integration around the convergence of brand strategy, data and content,” said Bob Priest-Heck, president and CEO, Freeman.
He added, “Our ability to translate strategy and data… more
Dec 10, 2018
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association Extended its management agreement with Augusta Group Management through 2023.
“The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is pleased to extend the management agreement with Augusta Group Management (AGM). Executive Director Larry Arnaudet and his team have proven value year after year with membership growth and support as well as executing the most successful conferences in the association’s history, said Rich Curran, ESCA president.
He added, “We have been extremely happy with the success of the Worker Identification… more
Dec 07, 2018
Emerald Expositions has canceled next year’s Interbike International Expo that was scheduled to run Sept. 18-20 in Reno, Nev.
Instead, the company says it will research alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the opportunity to launch events featuring bicycling and bike-related components within or alongside its various multi-sport trade show franchises.
“The past four years have been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions’ Sports Group.
He added, “The substantial increase in tariffs on bike related imports… more
Dec 07, 2018
It’s no wonder that Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition is considered the “show for shows.”
This annual trade show for trade show professionals draws in upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals – 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers – to engage with one another, learn about the latest industry trends and technology, and push the events industry forward.
Taking place Dec. 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, the event offers a plethora of cutting-edge education (a whopping 142 education sessions on and off the showfloor!); 289… more
Dec 06, 2018
Despite uncertainty on where U.S. trade negotiations stand with China, coupled with an unstable stock market and the global economy slowing down overall, the latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reports that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the third quarter of 2018.
Performance of the industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a modest year-over-year gain of 1 percent, although it underperformed the macroeconomy.
While the performance during the third quarter was weaker than the first two quarters of the year, it was a significant… more
Dec 06, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will feature a series of emerging technology solution use cases at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, taking place Dec. 11-13 in New Orleans.
Already proven in the exhibitions and events marketplace, these Tech Use Cases are designed to give exhibition and event producers an opportunity to explore a wide range of solutions to answer the challenges they face in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape that is the exhibitions and events industry.
IAEE’s Technologies Committee comprises technology domain experts… 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.