News
Mar 25, 2024
Filling all three halls at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for the first time in its 12-year history, MODEX, a biennial manufacturing and supply chain trade show for North and South America, pulled off its largest event ever in Atlanta.
Held March 11-14, this year’s event attracted 48,733 registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals and 1,164 exhibitors showcasing the latest supply chain technology and innovation across 580,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Boasting an uptick of 32% more registered visitors than MODEX 2022, which drew in 37,047 registered attendees,… more
Mar 22, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and events industry. In this second in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Janet Dell, president and COO of Freeman, and Maverick Payments Creative Director Jessica Reinhardt, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, what they advise for the next generation of female leaders and who are the up-and-coming women leaders to watch in our industry.
Janet Dell, President,… more
Mar 21, 2024
Ask about Visit Salt Lake (VSL) President and CEO Kaitlin Eskelson’s long and accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry and prepare to be impressed. As the organization’s youngest chief executive and only the fourth person to hold the leadership role in its 36-year history, she has made her mark through passionately crafted programs and strategies designed to secure a strong future for business events and tourism in Salt Lake City and Utah.
Since taking the helm at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020, Eskelson’s achievements to build back the city’s meetings and… more
Mar 20, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
When events adopt sustainability goals such as reducing water and energy, organizers are then tasked with finding host venues that have the systems in place to support such goals. We’ve compiled this guide for event planners on what to look for and which questions to ask when reviewing convention centers and meeting spaces for sustainability.
1. Certifications
Sustainability certifications show that the building’s operations and infrastructure have been reviewed and approved by an established third-party authority. They are a great shorthand… more
Mar 19, 2024
Are you attending Connect 2024 Spring Marketplace in Las Vegas? Considering it?
Connect Spring Marketplace is scheduled for April 2-4 at The Venetian, Las Vegas. Designed for event professionals, Connect Spring Marketplace is expected to draw more than 2,000 leaders who produce association, citywide, corporate, sports, eTourism and diversity events.
We’ve got the scoop on what you need to know before you take off for this popular desert destination for trade shows.
Speed date with suppliers. Engage in personalized 1:1 sessions with representatives from top destinations, hotels and vendors… more
Mar 19, 2024
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported a significant recovery in the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibition industry for the fourth quarter (Q4) 2023, citing a 15% year-over-year increase in overall exhibition performance that measures exhibitors, net square footage, attendees and real revenues.
The industry’s performance is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with the Q4 2023 results showing only an 8% lag compared to the same period in 2019, according to the latest CEIR Total Index. This represents a significant improvement from the 41% and 20% shortfalls observed in Q4… more
Mar 18, 2024
Informa, the international B2B events, digital services and academic markets company (owner of TSNN, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News), confirmed a 30% increase in underlying revenue (excluding acquisitions and disposals) for the full-year 2023 and increase in its guidance for 2024 with more than £500m ($626m) revenue already delivered so far this year, according to its earnings statement. (Using the exchange rate of GBP/USD 1.25 on March 10)
During an investor presentation on March 8, Informa Group Chief Executive Stephen Carter (pictured right) said: ”Informa’s final results… more
Mar 15, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and events industry. In this first in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Courtney Muller, president of Manifest and Connectiv chief corporate development officer, and Kinsey Fabrizio, the newly appointed president of the Consumer Electronics Association, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, what they advise for the next generation of female leaders and who are the… more
Mar 14, 2024
The high cost of delivering a premium event experience in Las Vegas to both attendees and exhibitors prompted two storied trade shows to collocate last month. Elsewhere around the country, another show posted moderate growth while a third saw slight dips in its numbers.
Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) Co-located With Las Vegas Apparel
Who, When & Where: Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) and Las Vegas Apparel, Feb. 13-15, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas
Show Size: 70,000 net square feet of exhibit space with 300+ brands and more than 1,000 lines between both shows
Looking back:… more
Mar 12, 2024
This month, trade show organizers, associations and venues are announcing new events, rebranding existing ones and teaming up with other organizations to offer more value for their members and audiences. Here’s our latest New Briefs to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the trade show industry right now.
ESCA Partners With CEIR on Exclusive Research, Unveils New Standard Industry Safety Signage
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) has partnered with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) to provide ESCA members with exclusive access to CEIR’s… 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.