News
Aug 25, 2014
Recent labor changes at the Pennsylvania Convention Center already are paying off, with the Philadelphia-based American Association for Cancer Research selecting its hometown for its 2015, 2019 and 2024 Annual Meetings.
The AACR Annual Meeting will take place April 18–22, 2015, at the SMG-managed center and will be the largest meeting held in the city next year.
“Philadelphia was a natural choice for our 2015 Annual Meeting,” said the AACR’s CEO Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc). “The city is not only our hometown, but it is also an epicenter for groundbreaking cancer… more
Aug 24, 2014
Nine years and several court rulings later and UnitedNational Maintenance, a Chicago-based trade show cleaning company, recently was stymied when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied rehearing the company’s antitrust case brought against the San Diego Convention Center Corp., which oversees the city’s center.
Carol Wallace, president and CEO of SDCCC, said of the ruling, “This is a win for San Diego, but more importantly, a landmark win for the facility management industry, as it will allow venues to operate and manage their buildings as they see fit.”
Richard Simon, president and CEO… more
Aug 24, 2014
Mobile event app developer DoubleDutch announced the close of $19 million in Series D funding led by Mithril Capital Management. Previous investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Index Ventures and Bullpen Capital also participated, along with Singapore-based Enspire Capital. Ajay Royan, co-founder and managing general partner of Mithril, joins the DoubleDutch board.
In a press release announcing the funding, Lawrence Coburn, CEO of DoubleDutch is quoted as saying, “More than three years into our journey, we continue to see signs that the market for data… more
Aug 24, 2014
Mobile event app developer DoubleDutch announced the close of $19 million in Series D funding led by Mithril Capital Management. Previous investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Index Ventures and Bullpen Capital also participated, along with Singapore-based Enspire Capital. Ajay Royan, co-founder and managing general partner of Mithril, joins the DoubleDutch board.
In a press release announcing the funding, Lawrence Coburn, CEO of DoubleDutch is quoted as saying, “More than three years into our journey, we continue to see signs that the market for data… more
Aug 22, 2014
There really wasn’t a slowdown in hiring this summer; in fact, August saw plenty of new hires for suppliers and trade show organizers.
Cygnus Business Media appointed Brian Cassell as group show manager for Firehouse events. Brian will be responsible for the overall performance of Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md, and Firehouse World, in San Diego.
Cassell is a 20-year fire service veteran, serving on the marketing team for fire apparatus manufacturer KME for 10 years and as a volunteer firefighter with the Tamaqua, Penn., Fire Department.
In addition to his experience both as a manufacturer… more
Aug 21, 2014
Last year was a successful one for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in its first time as part of Design & Construction Week, held in January in Las Vegas and anchored by the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show.
Momentum has continued to build, and this year is tracking to be even stronger, with a 25-percent uptick so far in exhibitors for the show on tap Jan. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
According to show producers, Emerald Expositions, and show owners, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, 500 exhibitors already have signed on, and… more
Aug 19, 2014
Every workplace right now likely is experiencing a similar situation; there are not only one or two different generations working together, but there could be up to four, all trying to relate to each other in an effective manner.
Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomers, only missing a Millennial, recently were part of a panel discussion at the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Leadership Conference, held Aug. 11-13 in Atlantic City.
Led by Ali Hall, founding partner and manager of Versa Ventures, the panel discussed several different aspects of their views on the workplace.
Not… more
Aug 19, 2014
Association Forum of Chicagoland's Board of Directors has selected Michelle Mason, CAE, FASAE, as the organization's new President and CEO. Mason will assume responsibilities Sept. 15, succeeding Christie A. Tarantino, FASAE, CAE, who stepped down in March to join the Institute of Food Technologists.
Mason has been the managing director, Strategic Developments and Innovation, at the American Society for Quality, a global community of people dedicated to quality who share ideas, tools and best practices, since 2006. ASQ has an annual budget of $42M, which includes two subsidiaries, two… more
Aug 18, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – “Sustainable Trade Shows: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good”.
The webinar will be held Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. EST and you can register HERE.
Trade shows are often seen as one of the highest producers of waste and carbon in the event world. They are also known for heavy energy consumption of electricity, water and fuel for transportation.
Today, trade show organizers and exhibitors can risk their corporate image if their audience perceives them as not being good stewards of the planet.
Trade shows are… more
Aug 18, 2014
Music City was an undeniable draw, with nearly 6,000 overall attendees and the highest number of association executives coming to the 2014 American Society for Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held Aug. 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn., since the 2007 event in Chicago.
The final attendance breakdown included 3,159 executives, 1,897 exhibitors, 919 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a total of 5,975.
“We had the highest number of association executives since we were in Chicago in 2007, and more than two-thirds of our members had never… 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.