News

Aug 28, 2024
Following its initial announcement on November 7 of last year, premium live experiences company Legends has completed the acquisition of live events and venue management company ASM Global. Announced on August 23, the finalized deal combines two leading premium live events companies while expanding Legends’ services portfolio and geographic reach across five continents.  Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and ASM Global will continue to operate under its name for the time being. With this acquisition, ASM Global’s venue strategy and management capabilities are poised to… more
Aug 27, 2024
After 25 years of operating as a non-union hotel-resort and convention center, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which encompasses The Venetian and The Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip, have established a tentative agreement with Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 on a new four-year contract covering more than 4,000 employees in the resorts’ food, beverage, housekeeping, bar, lounge, and bell departments. Reached in the early hours of August 20, the milestone contract contains standard union protections that the Culinary Union has negotiated and won over its 89-year… more
Aug 27, 2024
Sponsored by Fern Expo   A Look at Technology Advancements Reshaping Event Management   By Jim Kelley, VP Marketing and Industry Relations, Fern Expo Trade shows and conventions are no longer merely events. They’re gathering places for like-minded people who want to make meaningful connections and be a part of memorable experiences. From enhancing attendee engagement to streamlining event processes, event organizers are finding that technology—whether behind the scenes or attendee-facing—plays a powerful role in keeping their events relevant and ensuring that both attendees and… more
Aug 26, 2024
RELX, which owns independent event organizer RX, backed its full-year guidance after delivering revenue and profit growth in the first half of 2024, according to a press release.  In late July, the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 Index company reported pretax profit for the half year that ended June 30 rose to 1.3 billion pounds ($1.68 billion), with underlying revenue growth of 10% over the same period last year. By the numbers: Revenue rose to GBP4.64 billion ($6.07 billion), up from GBP4.5 billion ($5.89 billion), with underlying growth of 7%. Revenues came in 2.2% below… more
Aug 23, 2024
U.S. resort and souvenir trade show and conference producer RedlineXpo has added to its event portfolio with the launch of California Action Retailer + Venture (CARV) Expo, which will showcase the latest surf, skate, bike, and outdoor retailers from across the country.  Set for June 20-22, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, the new trade show will span more than 70,000 square feet and feature a wide range of manufacturers showcasing products from apparel and hard goods to wellness and more in a casual setting designed to foster connection and networking opportunities for buyers and… more
Aug 22, 2024
With 100,000 potential customers walking through the doors, how do you stand out from the crowd at a sports collectors convention? Four exhibitors—Ludex, TikTok Shop, CGC Cards, and Dappz Sports—partnered with show management to sponsor an exclusive VIP Experience at the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) to capture attention in the $32.4 billion global sports memorabilia market, which is projected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 24.16% over the next decade, reaching $227.2 billion by 2032, according to a report by Market Decipher.  Not only did the sports trading… more
Aug 21, 2024
In an indication that business events have solid momentum right now, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) drew 5,070 participants—including 2,900 association executives and planners—to its 2024 annual meeting, held August 10-13 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland. That figure is 2.4 percent higher than for the 2023 event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. On August 12, ASAE held a press conference for industry journalists and local reporters, touching on the $6-million economic benefit the meeting generated for Cleveland. That data served as a lead… more
Aug 21, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies. As more organizations recognize the environmental impact of their operations, many are beginning to take a closer look within, seeking ways to improve their practices. One great approach is to create an internal task force, which fosters employee engagement and drives meaningful progress in sustainability efforts. An effective sustainability team, or “Green Team,” can lead the way in coming up with creative sustainability solutions that benefit your organization. To get started and work effectively, here’s a framework for building and managing… more
Aug 20, 2024
Next year, B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, Informa Markets Engineering, is launching the inaugural Sustainable Manufacturing Expo, a trade show and conference for sustainable industrial manufacturing. The new event will collocate with IME West/MD&M West, joining other collocated manufacturing shows, including WestPack, Automation Technology (ATX) West, D&M West, and Plastec West. Set for Feb. 4-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, IME West will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the 2025… more
Aug 19, 2024
Emerald, which produces 140 annual trade shows and conferences annually, reported that overall revenues for the second quarter (Q2) were essentially flat, but the company saw an uptick of 3.3% in organic revenues over the same period last year.  On Aug. 7, Emerald reported Q2 total revenues of $86.0 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.6% over Q2 2023, primarily due to several small, discontinued events that were not contributing to profitability and scheduling differences, according to a release by Emerald. Here’s a deeper dive into the company’s financial performance. By the numbers… 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.