News

Aug 28, 2016
There aren’t too many people who can claim they have been in the industry for more than 50 years, but Jerry Kallman Sr. started off in 1963. Since 1963, Kallman Associates specialized in serving as the United States and Canadian representative office for numerous world renowned trade show organizers primarily in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The company now is run full-time by Jerry Kallman Jr., while Jerry Sr. is chair of Kallman Worldwide. Jerry Sr. took some time to tell TSNN about his many years of experience in the industry. TSNN: How did you get into the trade show business?… more
Aug 27, 2016
In the late 1800s, the need for safe drinking water was a critical issue. So, in March of 1881, 22 men representing water utilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee met on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis for the first of what would eventually become the Annual Conference & Exposition of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Attendance wasn’t officially recorded until 1965 in Portland, Oregon, where 3,857 attended. When exhibits were formally added in 1979 in San Francisco, there were 7,195 attendees and 299 exhibit booths. The event… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research recently unveiled its Trade Show Economic Impact Calculator. “CEIR’s Trade Show Economic Impact Calculator will help organizers further understand the impact of their shows and provide consistency across the exhibition industry in how we measure that impact,” said CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey, CEM. “More importantly, this tool offers the possibility of further correlating the value exhibitions have on their particular destinations.” CEIR’s latest tool for exhibition organizers calculates the economic impact of their exhibition in the city… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched its first 360-degree virtual reality video featuring one-of-a-kind augmented reality graphics and a unique take on the 360-degree viewing experience. The video highlights the destination’s award-winning culinary scene and is the first of three virtual reality projects to be released in the coming months. Viewers are immersed in a culinary journey from farm to fork as they are guided through 10 local establishments including 8UP, Crescent Hill Craft House, Harvest, Jack Fry’s, Mike Linnigs, Monnik, Proof on Main, The… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Virtual Edge Institute [VEI] and Meetings + Conventions Calgary announced fall scholarship applications now are being accepted for VEI’s Digital Event Strategist [DES] newly updated course and certification exam. The scholarships support business event organizers seeking to further their education in digital extensions and live streams of events. Meetings + Conventions Calgary is the exclusive sponsor of these scholarships which support the application, online course and exam fees – a $1000+ USD value. The scholarship winners will participate in the next DES LIVE Online course… more
Aug 24, 2016
Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo) and Questex will partner on the launch of the Pennsylvania Foodservice Expo, an annual trade show serving the Restaurant, Foodservice, Nightlife and Hospitality industry in Pennsylvania. The inaugural show will be held Oct. 23-24, 2017, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The partnership and launch will incorporate Questex’s Nightclub & Bar brand by bringing the concept to the East Coast in a variety of tasting pavilions scattered throughout the showfloor. “These new partnerships are extremely exciting, as they… more
Aug 23, 2016
The 16th Shanghai International Children Baby and Maternity Products Industry Expo (CBME China 2016) closed its three-day run at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) July 22 with 85,111 trade buyers in attendance. There also were 2,366 suppliers (+10.2% YOY) representing 3,673 brands (+29.5% YOY) showcased their latest products in 223,305 square meters of exhibition space (+8.9% YOY). 32% were from overseas brands. A number of brands in attendance included: Angel’s Face, Babience Baby Coccole, Babyauto, Baby's Only Organic, Babystyle, Bellamy, Besafe, Brevi, Cocolico,… more
Aug 23, 2016
Sudesh Sharma has been appointed as Deputy Director of Operations of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The new role is part of a plan to create internal support and succession planning. With 25 years of experience in hotel, banquet and convention industry, Sharma is well-positioned to manage various large-scale conferences, conventions and trade shows held in KLCC. Alan Pryor, General Manager of KLCC commented, “I am pleased to welcome Sharma to the team and I believe his extensive industry experience will undoubtedly be an add asset to the Centre. His appointment reflects our… more
Aug 23, 2016
Despite a string of bombings two weeks ago, the calendar of events taking place in Thailand for the rest of this year remain full and cover everything from meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions and mega events, with total of 154 business events scheduled to be held between now until the December 2016, according to the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. Among the big events coming up in Thailand August and September 2016 are two meetings and incentives events in Phuket – Phuket is also popular with big conventions and meetings. Planned Aug. 18-21is the Thailand Incentive… more
Aug 23, 2016
International Pizza Expo, a pizzeria business-to-business trade show owned by Emerald Expositions, will launch a new two-day trade show at the Atlantic City Convention Center that will focus on pizzerias and Italian restaurants. “This is in no way a replacement to Pizza Expo for East Coast pizzeria operators and their staffs, but more of an opportunity to let them be a part of this regional two-day experience,” said Bill Oakley, group show director – Food Group. “Most of our eastern U.S. attendees have two days of travel in order to attend the Expo, making it difficult to attend the entire… 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.