News
Jan 13, 2020
ASAE’s President and CEO, John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE, has passed away after an extended battle with cancer.
“While no words can adequately express our deep sorrow at losing our leader, the ASAE team is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to know and work with John. Graham was a transformative leader for ASAE and a mentor to many in the association community. During his tenure, which began August 1, 2003, ASAE more than doubled its membership and developed a wealth of innovative products and services to benefit association professionals and their partners. Graham leaves behind an… more
Jan 09, 2020
By now you’ve likely read the news reports and seen the photos. Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires the country has seen in decades, with many areas devastated since the fires began in September of last year. Record-breaking temperatures, months of severe drought and strong winds have fueled a series of massive bushfires across the country that have torn through bushland, mountain forests and national parks. At least 24 people have died nationwide.
According to local news reports, more than 24 million acres have been burned, and even with firefighting assistance from countries… more
Jan 08, 2020
The Corporate Event Marketing Association and PCMA are partnering to extend the reach and membership of their respective organizations. The two groups announced on Jan. 6 at PCMA Convening Leaders that they will work together to develop and share educational programming and content.
PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat says that the main goal of the alliance is to elevate the education for both organizations.
“PCMA has a commitment to bringing its members access to leading edge education and content that helps them deliver economic and social transformation through business events,” said… more
Jan 08, 2020
What lies ahead for 2020 and the new decade? We talked with a few experts to find out. Take a look at their 2020 trend predictions below. Then, connect with us on Twitter to let us know your take!
Trade Shows
Arjun Chakravarti, senior vice president of analytics and insights at GES, predicts the following:
Measuring and selling experiential sponsorships.
Although traditional sponsorship activities will remain a core part of the brand portfolio at trade shows, brands need to return to the C-suite with ROI metrics of shows. Sponsorship opportunities that measurably impact brand perceptions… more
Jan 07, 2020
As more companies begin implementing virtual customer service agents to assist attendees at events, tech companies specializing in conversational artificial intelligence software are getting busier. Case in point: Boost.ai, which recently supplied an AI bot to Slush — a leading international startup and technology event held each year in Helsinki, Finland — to positive results.
Nicknamed Botzilla, the virtual assistant tapped Boost.ai’s proprietary conversational AI technology to offer personalized information and assistance for the more than 25,000 conference attendees who converged Nov.… more
Jan 06, 2020
PCMA Convening Leaders, the annual PCMA conference for event planners, is coming to San Francisco on Jan. 5-8, 2020. Not only does this mark a 20-year anniversary for the city — the last time Convening Leaders was held in San Francisco was 2001 — it is also perfectly timed to showcase the revamped and expanded Moscone Center.
Convening Leaders draws approximately 5,000 attendees with a nearly even split between event planners and industry suppliers. The majority will be seeing the new version of Moscone for the first time. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Travel Association intends to show… more
Jan 06, 2020
The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions are gearing up to present a reimagined Vision Expo, the bi-annual trade show and conference for ophthalmic professionals, next year. New features such as curated neighborhoods, creative and interactive exhibit spaces, and refreshed branding (its new show tagline is “The Future, Clearly”) are a few of the fresh concepts that will debut at Vision Expo East 2020, set for March 26-29 at Javits Center in New York City.
As the largest optical event in the U.S., Vision Expo expects to welcome approximately 5,000 optometrists, opticians, practice staff and… more
Dec 24, 2019
It's been a busy year on TSNN! Today we're flashing back to our Top 10 most-read stories of the year. It's clear to see that you loved reading about event technology, new hires and even comfortable trade show shoes. We look forward to bringing you more of the latest news and insights in the industry in 2020. In case you missed any of them, check out our top stories from 2019 below.
Freeman to Sell Encore Event Technologies to PSAV
The Best Shoes for Trade Show Organizers and Exhibitors, According to a Podiatrist
Reed Exhibitions Appoints New Leadership for U.S. Business… more
Dec 23, 2019
The all-male speaking panel — or “manel” — has received harsh criticism, with many speakers (both male and female) pledging to not participate in events where gender diversity is an issue. There’s even a Twitter handle (@allmalepanels) that seeks to both shame event organizers and draw more attention to the issue by calling out particularly egregious manels.
Yet a new study from event technology provider Bizzabo shows that the event speaking landscape continues to be male-dominated, with male speakers outnumbering female speakers 2-to-1. And in industries like information technology and… more
Dec 18, 2019
Packing for a trade show is usually a laborious task for anyone, but especially so for Candy Adams. In addition to her suitcase for clothing, shoes and all her personal items, every trip she takes, she packs a separate hard case Samsonite. It holds 40 dozen cookies and usually weighs around 43 pounds — and though it sounds like a lot, she’s got it down to a science, after doing this for more than 25 years.
It all started back in 1993 when she was working for a company that made wide-format printers, and the CEO was making a tiny printer for the first Macintosh computer called the Sweet Pea.… 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.