News
Jul 10, 2024
Following its July 1 acquisition of event registration, onsite and lead services provider Convention Data Services (CDS) from global events company Freeman, Maritz is now poised to be the dominant player in registration, housing, lead retrieval, onsite support, and data services for some of the largest U.S. trade shows and business events.
Both Maritz, a meetings and event management company, and Freeman are privately owned companies, and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
While Maritz officials would not disclose its client portfolio by press time, CDS boasts a who’s who of… more
Jul 09, 2024
Four convention centers across the U.S. are upping their game with new staff and labor training offerings, renovation projects, extended partnerships and property enhancements to improve the event experience for meetings and trade show guests and clients.
Unions and Management Unite To Debut Trade Show Training Center in Philadelphia
To provide its staff and labor partners with training and skill-building in safety, technical skills development, customer service and hospitality, the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in Philadelphia has launched an onsite training center with a… more
Jul 08, 2024
Food and beverage purveyors from around the world descended on the Javits Center from June 23-25 for the 68th iteration of the Summer Fancy Food Show, which spanned 330,000 square feet of the iconic New York City convention center.
Fueled by a seemingly endless supply of samples from a staggering 2,400 exhibitors, the 29,000-plus food industry professionals in attendance certainly got their steps in over the course of the three-day trade show.
Flavorful Features
Similar to the Summer Fancy Food Show the Specialty Food Association (SFA) hosted last year at Javits, the bi-level show floor… more
Jun 28, 2024
What do you do when you hit an advancement wall at your job, finding yourself having to fight for your next opportunity or promotion, with nowhere to progress or develop yourself further as an events professional? You start your own company like Meena Chander, founder and CEO of Events Together, a Milton Keynes, U.K.-based event design and management company that organizes corporate events, exhibitions, incentives, awards galas, and more.
“[After working] for an organization for 10 years…I was made redundant and decided to set up Events Together––the name deriving from the fact that events… more
Jun 27, 2024
After leading New York City’s Javits Center for 12 years, Alan Steel will step down as president and CEO at the end of March 2025. A search for his replacement is already underway, according to the New York Convention Center Operating Corp. (NYCCOC), which operates and manages the facility,
Backstory: Leaving behind an indelible legacy of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth, Steel’s journey with the Javits Center spans 38 years, including 12 years at the helm and 26 years as a customer. He was already a 30-year veteran of the trade show industry when he was appointed its leader… more
Jun 27, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
Creating beautiful events requires a lot of materials, but the costs of sourcing and disposing of these can impact both the budget and the environment. For eco-conscious planners, aiming for zero waste is a popular goal, with certifications like TRUE Zero Waste rewarding sustainable efforts.
One useful tool for reducing event waste is the Zero Waste Hierarchy from the Zero Waste International Alliance. This chart classifies waste from most to least desirable, considering the entire lifecycle of items. It’s beneficial for individuals,… more
Jun 26, 2024
With “Love” as this year’s theme, the annual JCK trade show and conference is one of the largest and most important B2B gatherings for jewelry industry professionals and serves as a global launchpad for jewelry trends, products and brands.
Operated by RX and collocated with ultra-curated sister show Luxury, which celebrated its 25th edition this year, the massive event draws in thousands of industry professionals from all facets of the global jewelry industry to Las Vegas for a week of product sourcing, education and networking.
This year's JCK continued to be a hub for fun and inspiring… more
Jun 25, 2024
A deluge of trade show-related organizations have been focused on growing their leadership teams and welcoming staff as they forge new business opportunities and position themselves for growth this year and beyond.
MHI
MHI, an international trade association representing the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry, promoted 32-year trade show industry veteran Daniel McKinnon from executive vice president of exhibitions to chief exhibitions officer. He is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for MODEX and ProMat, as well as managing relationships with… more
Jun 24, 2024
Released on June 21, the latest trading update highlights from Informa reveals continued momentum and growth across its business units, driven by strategic focus, financial discipline and technological integration.
What they’re saying: “The Informa Group has changed gears and we are now delivering 10%+ growth,” said Informa Group Chief Executive Stephen A. Carter. “Our strategy to focus on specialist markets, unique content and internationalization is delivering double-digit underlying revenue growth, margin expansion and increasing profits and cash flows.”
Context: Informa employs more… more
Jun 21, 2024
In honor of Juneteenth, we want to celebrate and highlight the efforts of African American leaders and organizations in the business events industry. Designated a U.S. federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas, stating all enslaved people in the state were free according to federal law.
Back in 1983, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) was officially established by six founding members. Forty-one years later, the non-profit boasts 1,500 members and is led by CEO Jason Dunn, who… 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.