Jan 05, 2018
The holiday spirit extended before and after the new year to the signing of plenty of new contracts for suppliers and venues serving the trade show industry. The Expo Group will provide event-related services to International Carwash Association as ICA seeks to boost the experience of their attendee, exhibitor and sponsor stakeholders at The Car Wash Show. The Car Wash Show is the largest convention in its sector, bringing together buyers and sellers from more than 30 countries. The Car Wash Show is ranked No.148 on the Trade Show News Network Top 250 list. “The Expo Group has the… more
Jan 04, 2018
In an effort to draw more top-tier trade shows to Boston, Teamsters Local 25 has launched the city’s first trade show worker training program. The goal of the program is to create more skilled workers while elevating Boston’s trade show business to match its bustling tourism industry, thus creating jobs and growing economic impact. “Boston is a top destination for international tourists and working together, we can make it a top destination for the most coveted trade shows,” explained Sean M. O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25. He continued, “Having an educated and well-trained… more
Jan 04, 2018
Event production company, Shepard, has made its second buy this winter with the acquisition of Northern Virginia-based Production Associates, a full-service audio-visual management, staging and consulting company that provides services to association, corporate and government events. “We are excited to welcome Production Associates to our growing Shepard AV family,” said Stuart Danneman, executive vice president of Shepard AV. “They bring to the team a strong service-based culture, innovative technology and a thriving presence in the Virginia, Maryland and DC markets.” According to Shepard… more
Dec 21, 2017
The Air Force Association (AFA) broke attendance records and sold out exhibit space for a second consecutive year at its most recent Air, Space & Cyber Conference and Technology Exhibition, held Sept. 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Produced and managed by NTP Events in conjunction with AFA, the annual conference and trade show for military, defense and aerospace professionals who plan, design, operate, maintain and manage military technology and infrastructure attracted 9,066 attendees, a 24 percent increase over 2016, when the… more
Dec 21, 2017
This article is the third in a series we have been running throughout the holiday season to shine a bright, well-deserved spotlight on companies that are #GivingBack. December has been a busy month for several trade show industry vendors wanting to make the holidays a little brighter for people in their communities and beyond. Earlier this month, Convention Data Services kicked off its annual Season of Giving Program designed to assist the local community, industry and employees who could use a little extra holiday cheer. As part of CDS’s Corporate Giving Program, the initiative will… more
Dec 20, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released its full 2017 report on the World Map of Exhibition Venues. The report analyzes indicators on key regional trends and includes the largest venues for all 28 markets with a total capacity exceeding 200,000 square meters (more than 2 million sq. ft.) of gross indoor exhibition space. It has been six years since UFI last produced this global exhibition venue census. This year’s release shows a capacity increase in the majority of markets around the world. According to report data, global venue space has grown by 1.2… more
Dec 20, 2017
After years of seeing technology revolutionizing the meetings industry and accelerating the rate of change in how people live and work, there will be a return to a focus on humanity in 2018, according to IMEX Group. The global event producer believes that while new technological innovations will continue to transform the world around us, individuals throughout the events industry and in society are asking questions about whether people – along with their lives, feelings, aspirations, health and minds – are receiving enough priority as society deals with tremendous challenges and adapts to… more
Dec 19, 2017
Caesars Entertainment Corporation will develop CAESARS FORUM, a new 550,000 square foot conference center on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip. Featuring 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, the $375 million facility will include two of the largest pillarless ballrooms in North America, according to Caesars officials. “Consistent with our post restructuring plans, Caesars Forum is the first installment of our growth strategy for the benefit of Las Vegas and our employees, which will also help meet the increasing demand for group business meetings of all sizes,” said Mark Frissora,… more
Dec 14, 2017
In just a few days, 2017 will be history. The year brought event professionals a host of challenges around technological advancements, security, politics and travel, to name just a few. While next year will continue to prove difficult in many of those same areas, experts are pointing out that 2018 will be filled with opportunities for show organizers to rethink how events can capitalize on the human factor. To wrap-up the year, here are a few predictions from five event industry veterans about what they foresee coming down the pike for events in 2018. According to Marco Pardi, managing… more
Dec 13, 2017
Play Fair, a public celebration of play and entertainment for all ages, returned to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City for its second year with a larger showfloor, more exhibiting companies and a broader itinerary of immersive, family-friendly activities. Held Nov. 4-5 and Hosted by The Toy Association in partnership with LeftField Media, the event provided a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 children, parents, families and fans with a first glimpse of the toys, games and entertainment expected to be topping wishlists this holiday season. Play Fair 2017 attracted 75… 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.