Feb 25, 2022
The Toy Association unveiled plans to change its long-running Toy Fair New York from a late winter to early fall time frame starting next year and set dates for a one-time marketplace in Dallas this year to meet demand.
The announcement comes after COVID-19 concerns prompted the cancellation in January of the 2022 in-person edition of Toy Fair New York, which was set for Feb. 19-22 at the Javits Center. It was only the second time the fair was cancelled in its 117-year run. The 2021 edition was also cancelled due to COVID-19.
Announced during the Toy Association’s Annual General Meeting,… more
Feb 24, 2022
The recovery of the exhibition industry is accelerating, with global show revenues expected to reach 71% of 2019 levels this year, according to the 28th edition of the Global Barometer report, released on Feb. 24 by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Designed to assess the impact of global economic conditions on the exhibition industry, UFI’s latest research report provides updates on the impact of COVID-19 and perspectives for the industry in the year ahead.
Conducted in collaboration with 21 UFI member associations and concluded in January 2022, the biannual Global… more
Feb 22, 2022
Rob Svedberg understands what it takes to design a convention center able to meet the evolving needs of the global events industry. As a principal at leading architectural design firm tvsdesign, where he has worked for almost three decades, the Atlanta-based architect’s projects have included the expansion of New York’s Javits Center, Mumbai’s Jio World Centre and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as the expansion and transformation of Nashville’s Music City Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center, including its new West Hall.
An in-demand industry speaker known for his… more
Feb 18, 2022
As the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the event industry from in-person to virtual and hybrid over the past two years, a new challenge emerged: a lack of measurement standards for digital events. Enter global assurance provider BPA Worldwide, which formed a working group of 15 representatives from all segments of the industry to tackle the issue and create the newly launched Reporting Standards for Digital Events (RSDE).
RSDE, a standardized set of 17 data tables and glossary terms, is designed to benefit the entire industry, including event organizers, exhibitors and digital event platform (DEP… more
Feb 16, 2022
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) kicked off 2022 on an overwhelmingly positive note, with its hotly anticipated ASI Show Orlando drawing 3,000 supplier and distributor professionals who were excited to reunite and make valuable in-person connections.
Held Jan. 4-6 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), ASI Show Orlando featured a busy showfloor with more than 500 booths spotlighting the top in-stock products of 2022 as well as education, a powerful panel discussion and numerous networking opportunities. The show attracted distributors from across the country, including 800… more
Feb 15, 2022
U.S. Travel Association leaders outlined a path forward during the organization’s annual State of the Industry Address on Feb. 2, which highlighted the progress made since March 2020, while emphasizing critical areas of importance to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels—including business travel and face-to-face events.
“The worst of the pandemic is truly behind us, but there is a lot of work ahead,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow, underscoring the $730 billion in cumulative travel spending losses since the pandemic began.
While the domestic leisure travel segment has largely… more
Feb 11, 2022
As the industry continues to emerge from the pandemic and increasingly hold in-person gatherings, ASM Global, featuring the largest portfolio of convention centers, arenas, stadiums and theaters in the world, will hold an ambitious, three-day virtual job fair to hire 1,000 employees at 100 of its venues.
The international, collaborative event, titled ASM Presents: The Next Great Opportunity, will take place online Feb. 15-17, with representation from venues in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.
Aimed at addressing the global staffing shortages that have challenged the… more
Feb 10, 2022
As the trade show and events industry continues its steady pace along the road to recovery, event-related organizations far and wide are forming new strategic partnerships and extending existing contracts at a rapid pace—take a look!
Cadmium
Cadmium, a leading provider of event and learning technology specializing in continuing educational, professional development and content management solutions, has partnered with systems integration and event staging solutions provider IMS Technology Services to simplify the vendor selection process for event planners. The partnership unites event… more
Feb 09, 2022
By the close of the Winter 2022 Atlanta Market, exhibiting brands were touting shattered sales records as attendees demonstrated their buying power, eagerly sourcing new brands, products and trends across the bustling event. Held Jan. 11-18 at AmericasMart Atlanta, the country’s leading gift, décor and lifestyle market proved to be a veritable epicenter of buying activity, hosting retailers and designers from all 50 states and 39 countries.
“Based on the reports of record-breaking sales and growth in order size, it appears that buyers found what they were looking for [at Atlanta Market]—and… more
Feb 03, 2022
Event Farm, a MemberSuite company and leading provider of event engagement and safety solutions, announced four new partnerships to expand its event safety offerings and provide event organizers with COVID-19 testing solutions to meet event entry requirements.
The new partnerships with Azova Health, EverlyWell, Prevent System and Qured are in addition to the CLEAR Health Pass and Event Farm partnership that was announced in June 2021 and accelerated Event Farm’s Safety Toolkit, a suite of purposely built applications to keep event staff and attendees safe at in-person events. With CLEAR… 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.