Association Show News
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Jan 21, 2025
Two trade show industry organizations announced key launches and initiatives recently.
ESCA Gears Up for New Leadership Summit
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is gearing up to launch a new event designed to empower and educate the next generation of exhibitions and events industry leaders. Set for February 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit will provide an engaging educational experience designed specifically for young professionals and emerging leaders.
The conference marks the first major initiative… more
Jan 20, 2025
Since stepping into her role as President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in December 2023, Marsha Flanagan has hit the ground running. With a focus on innovation, community building, and sustainability, she is setting ambitious goals for the association in 2025.
In this exclusive Q&A with TSNN, Flanagan shares her vision for IAEE, outlines key initiatives, and discusses how the association is adapting to meet the evolving needs of its members and the exhibitions industry.
Vision for IAEE in 2025
Tormohlen: As you step into 2025, what is your… more
Jan 16, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of our industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for trade shows in 2025. While none of them claimed to be clairvoyants, their extensive expertise in producing impactful, high-value events to meet the needs of growing audiences has convinced us that these veteran professionals know what they’re talking about.
In this third installment of our series running throughout the month of January, we spoke with Freeman CEO Janet Dell, who shared her expectations for the events the company serves as well as the… more
Jan 14, 2025
Hearts and minds around the world are surely with the Los Angeles area, which has experienced catastrophic damage from wildfires that started last week and have ravaged idyllic neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As of publication time, approximately two dozen people have died, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Experts say that this could become the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the world of events, Los Angeles is a particularly special place. Countless planners, creatives, agencies, and… more
Jan 13, 2025
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is set to debut the exclusive Citywide Track at the Connect Spring Marketplace 2025. Taking place from April 22–24 at the Forbes Five Star luxury hotel and casino Wynn Las Vegas, the program is designed to foster collaboration and innovation among trailblazers, decision-makers, and thought leaders in the events industry.
The Citywide Track promises three immersive days of networking, professional development, and idea-sharing tailored specifically for event organizers managing large-scale events. With participation limited to 75 hand-selected professionals,… more
Jan 06, 2025
Are you attending PCMA Convening Leaders, the annual convention industry conference scheduled for Jan. 12-15 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston?
Last year’s PCMA Convening Leaders drew a record attendance of more than 4,200 industry professionals to San Diego in January 2024, with another 700 who participated online, according to PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat.
Where are the best places to eat, drink, shop, sightsee, run and more near the convention center and headquarters hotels? TSNN has got the inside scoop. We asked the team at Visit Houston for… more
Jan 03, 2025
Last month in Chicago, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) produced its annual RSNA conference and trade show, where attendance increased more than 13% over 2023. Roughly 39,000 radiology specialists across every subspecialty imaginable descended on the Windy City for five days of learning about the latest medical imaging technologies, along with opportunities for career advancement and other hands-on educational and networking opportunities.
Held Dec. 1-5, 2024 at Chicago’s 2.6 million-square-foot McCormick Place, the RSNA conference took on the theme of “Building Intelligent… more
Jan 02, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of our industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for trade shows in 2025. While none of them claimed to have a crystal ball in their back pocket, their extensive experience in producing impactful, high-quality events for growing audiences has convinced us that these consummate professionals know what they’re talking about.
In this first installment of our series running throughout the month of January, we spoke to RX North America President Fernando Fischer and Informa Markets, North America President… more
Dec 17, 2024
At the Novo theater at L.A. Live on Monday, Dec. 16, TSNN, the industry’s long-running trade show media brand, hosted the 14th Annual TSNN Awards, a joint awards program that was co-located with IAEE for the first time in 2024.
Thousands of industry professionals were in attendance as the event was held during the first hour of the opening reception of IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Expo! Expo!
As part of a three-year partnership, both organizations planned and executed the star-studded event—complete with a living red carpet, awards presentation from the main stage at the Novo,… more
Dec 16, 2024
As Q4 comes to a close, a leading event organizer, an industry collaborative, and a supplier are finishing up 2024 with much to celebrate as they announce strategic acquisitions and growth-fueled investments.
CompuSystems Agrees to Acquire EventsPass
Event registration, lead retrieval, and data analytics provider CompuSystems has agreed to acquire EventsPass, a SaaS platform that offers advanced ticketing and registration solutions for B2C and B2B events. Announced on December 11, the acquisition strengthens CompuSystems’s portfolio, further positioning the company as a one-stop… 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.