News
Apr 08, 2019
Each year, the Japan National Tourism Organization hosts “Meet Japan”, a sponsored trip that introduces international convention decision-makers to various destinations within the country.
This year, the group consisted of approximately 30 association event planners and four event industry journalists. We were divided into groups of five or six, each of which were sent to two cities to conduct “study tours,” or site visits designed to showcase the unique character of the destination as well as its meeting facilities.
The tour I was part of included visits to Yokohoma and Matsue, as well… more
Apr 05, 2019
This year continues to be a bustling one for event companies forming new business partnerships and continuing existing ones.
Global event solutions company MCI Group landed a multi-year contract with ANA Enterprise, which comprises the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Nurses Foundation.
MCI will provide full strategic event management services including conference management, exhibit sales and sponsorship management, abstract and speaker management, a unified registration and housing platform, marketing solutions and mobile apps,… more
Apr 04, 2019
London-based event lead capture startup Akkroo has been scooped up by Phoenix-based demand orchestration company Integrate for $34 million.
Akkroo’s digital lead collection solution, which allows sales teams to expediently capture and process leads in real time using the Akkroo iOS and Android app, will soon be “integrated” into Integrate’s customer offerings with the goal of bolstering its demand orchestration capabilities, according to company officials.
“Revenue acceleration happens when you unify the top of the funnel,” said Jeremy Bloom, Integrate founder and CEO. “With this… more
Apr 03, 2019
Last month, Core-apps celebrated its 10th anniversary as a company. While a decade of success is a proud accomplishment for any company, it might as well be 100 years in the world of technology, which changes on a nearly weekly basis these days. In honor of this significant milestone for Core-apps (which was acquired by Community Brands earlier this year, but will live on as a brand under the Community Brands’ umbrella), TSNN talked with Wayne Crawford, Core-apps’ veteran vice president of sales, to get his thoughts on the top 10 technologies that have changed trade shows over the last 10… more
Apr 03, 2019
Companies within the events and tourism world continued with a flurry of hires in March, showing the economy and outlook for the industry looks strong.
Freeman has named a new president: Phil Molyneux, a technology engineer with deep experience driving major consumer brands like Sony and Dyson, succeeds Bob Priest-Heck, who is now CEO of Freeman. In addition, Carrie Freeman Parsons, granddaughter of Freeman founder Buck Freeman, will succeed her father Don Freeman as the next chair of the company. She’s been involved with the business since 1985. Following her transition, her father will… more
Apr 02, 2019
Connect Travel, a division of Connect (a Tarsus Group company), has expanded its fast-growing portfolio even more with the acquisition of multiple assets from North American Journeys.
Three RTO Summits (East, West and Orlando), Active America China, as well as the Inbound Report and TourOperatorLand.com will join the Connect Travel portfolio, which includes the Connect Travel Marketplace, Connect Tour and the Connect THRIVE Summit.
“North American Journeys has been an innovator in B2B tourism marketing since 1996,” said Will Seccombe, president of Connect Travel.
He added, “We look… more
Apr 01, 2019
Cincinnati, Ohio-based event production services provider Fern has acquired Seattle-based Triumph Expo & Events and Portland-based DWA Trade Show & Exposition Services.
The two event services companies will both operate under the Fern brand, while the leadership from both organizations will be integrated into the existing Fern leadership team.
Not only will Fern’s move into the Pacific Northwest allow the company to serve this growing market for its existing customers more effectively, but also the acquisitions of Triumph and DWA represent a natural integration of shared… more
Apr 01, 2019
Attending events other than your own can spark innovative thinking, helping you transform or heighten the key elements of your own events. Registration options and processes, education, traffic flow, exhibition layout, entertainment, and food and beverage are just a few of the areas to consider shaking up.
The annual Game Developers Conference is organized by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become the largest B2B events organizer in the world. UBM’s portfolio includes trade shows and conferences across industries including fashion, life sciences, biopharma, manufacturing… more
Mar 29, 2019
Destinations International (formerly known as DMAI) has opened registration for its 2019 Annual Convention taking place in St. Louis, July 23-25. This event provides the opportunity for professionals from destination organizations to come together with peers and thought leaders inside and outside the industry.
“We are excited to bring the greatest minds in the travel and tourism industry together for this annual event,” said William Pate, Destinations International chair and CEO of the Atlanta CVB. “The event promises to provide networking and inspiration for every professional across the… more
Mar 28, 2019
From organic foods to home décor to work trucks, here’s a look at the month’s most successful trade shows and events.
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Nearly 15,300 industry professionals convened at Javits Center in New York City March 3-5 for the co-located International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, Healthy Food Expo New York and Coffee Fest. Produced and managed by Clarion UX, the show featured an exhibit hall that grew 33 percent from 2018, showcasing new products from 547 companies and covering 91,000 square feet.
“Javits Center was the… 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.