News

Mar 29, 2017
Kaon Interactive’s new augmented reality solution, Kaon AR, made a big splash in Las Vegas – so much so it won the EXHIBITORLive 2017 New Product Showcase Buyer’s Choice Award. Kaon AR was one of 44 products debuted in the New Product Showcase at EXHIBITOR, an annual event for trade show and corporate event marketers that took place March 12-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The software company was one of five innovators to take home the annual award that recognizes the top product innovations of the year.  “We are honored to have been recognized as the… more
Mar 28, 2017
In order to meet the growing needs of convention groups, retain existing clients and compete with other similar-sized destinations for group business, more and more cities and their convention and visitors bureaus are recognizing the importance of investing in convention center upgrade and expansion projects. The city of Cincinnati, Ohio is such a destination. The Queen City is setting its sights on expanding the 49-year-old Duke Energy Convention Center, which was renovated in 2006 but hasn’t undergone a significant exhibition space expansion in nearly three decades. At the Cincinnati USA… more
Mar 27, 2017
Global events strategy consultancy AMR International and U.S.-based event organizer Lippman Connects will partner to launch Transform, a new conference that will tackle the data, analytics and digital strategy revolution of the exhibition industry. The conference will provide critical insight to senior leaders of U.S. exhibition organizers, as the industry struggles to embrace data, analytics and digital technologies. The Transform conference follows on from AMR’s Data and Digital Event Strategy Symposium held in London. “This event comes in response to the industry’s ongoing reluctance to… more
Mar 25, 2017
It’s not about registration types or membership categories when it comes to acquiring attendees for your events. Attendees are motivated by what is important to them, personally, professionally, at the time of clicking “register here.” On this week’s #ExpoChat we’re going to unpack what Personas are, why they are important, and how you can use them to enhance attendee acquisition and retention. Here are some questions that will be discussed: ·       What are “Attendee Personas” and how are they different from membership or registration types? ·   … more
Mar 25, 2017
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not for profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has unveiled its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee. The AWE Awards Committee was formed with a vision to create an engaged group of recognized people and programs that exemplify AWE values to serve as an ongoing resource for inspiration, guidance and leadership. The AWE Hall of Fame will recognize the advancement of women in events by honoring women and men with a categorical award. Categories for nominations are: Disruptor… more
Mar 24, 2017
Vinexpo, the international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals, is gearing up enter the world’s largest wine-consuming market with its first U.S. trade show. Scheduled March 5-6, 2018, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Vinexpo New York is expected to host 200 exhibitors from wine-producing regions throughout the globe, along with 3,000 attendees, including importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. “We’re excited to combine forces with Vinexpo to bring the international world of wine and spirits to New York – the… more
Mar 23, 2017
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Chairman Gary C. Sherwin, CDME and President and CEO of Visit Newport Beach, Inc. and President and CEO Don Welsh unveiled that DMAI will become Destinations International, effective July 2017 during its Annual Convention in Montreal.  The announcement was made during the 2017 CEO Summit at The Westin Nashville, where a record 182 guests were in attendance.  Through collaboration with Miles Partnership, feedback gathered from stakeholder interviews, paired with extensive analysis of key operational facets of the Association… more
Mar 23, 2017
Trade Show News Network will collocate its 8th Annual 2017 TSNN Awards: Celebrating Success with Connect Expo, which is a part of Connect Marketplace, Aug. 21-23 in New Orleans. As the premiere awards program in the trade show industry celebrating fastest-growing shows, more than 50 show organizers will be feted during the three-day event (www.T-awards.com). “We are very excited to do something a little different this year and collocate the 8th Annual TSNN Awards with Connect Expo,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. She added, “Connect Expo is a perfect fit for the TSNN Awards, with each… more
Mar 22, 2017
Positive vibes, robust attendance and a bustling, sold-out trade show floor added up to a record-breaking year for the International Roofing Expo, held March 1-3 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Owned and operated by Informa Exhibitions, the annual tradeshow and conference for the roofing industry drew 11,273 commercial and residential roofing construction professionals and 476 exhibitors spanning a 131,700 square foot showfloor. “This was an amazing show to find leading-edge products, high-level education and numerous networking opportunities,” said Tracy Garcia, IRE show… more
Mar 22, 2017
The Board of Directors of Visit Mobile (Ala.) have tapped hospitality professional, David Clark, to fill the role of president and CEO, beginning April 1. Clark joins The Visit Mobile team with 29 years of hospitality, lodging, tourism and leadership pf which 27 of those years working and living in Coastal Alabama. “I am excited to join the Visit Mobile team and stakeholders to continue to raise the bar with promoting tourism, lodging and positioning Mobile as one of the South’s leading destinations,” Clark said. He added, “I believe that Visit Mobile is about sales, service and experience… 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.