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
Aug 23, 2016
Hainan Airlines recently filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch an historic new route connecting Las Vegas to Beijing, the first-ever nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Mainland China. The service will begin Dec. 2 and will initially operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Chinese tourists are one of the fastest-growing and largest-spending groups of international visitors to Las Vegas. With the reciprocal 10-year tourist visas and the introduction of hotels, programming and amenities geared toward Chinese visitors, Las Vegas has established… 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 22, 2016
Close to 4,800 association professionals and industry partners took part in the 2016 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, held last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attendees took part in more than 120 education sessions, two keynotes and five Game Changers, as well as 20-plus OpenSpace pop-ups and events. ASAE Foundation’s The Classic event also sold out for the second year in a row.  The final attendance breakdown includes: 2,669 executives, 1,739 exhibitors, 381 others, including guests, spouses, press, vendors, and staff, for a grand total of 4,789. A total of 424 companies… more
Aug 18, 2016
When the TSNN Awards kicks off Oct. 28-30 in Atlantic City, N.J., attendees will have the opportunity to hear from not only a bevy of high-profile trade show industry speakers, but also a retired NFL star quarterback and ESPN analyst, a top-ranked talk show host and the reigning Miss America. Ron Jaworksi, nicknamed “Jaws”, will be the keynote speaker during the TSNN Awards Education Conference Oct. 29 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. “Meet AC is very proud to have Ron Jaworski, an accomplished NFL quarterback now businessman and television analyst, speaking to TSNN,” said Jim… more
Aug 18, 2016
Bonnier Corporation, which publishes dozens of magazines including “Field and Stream”, “Outdoor Life” and “Motorcyclist”, to name a few, has acquired the Sand Sports Super Show, a sand sports trade show and consumer expo. The acquisition solidifies Bonnier’s leadership in the off-road, sand sports and motorsports segments, complementing the company’s repertoire of r publications and events geared toward enthusiast audiences. The Sand Sports Super Show is an annual trade show and consumer expo where thousands of sand sports fans gather in Costa Mesa, Calif., to experience the latest products… more
Aug 16, 2016
Before the 2016 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, held Aug.13-16 in Salt Lake City, the ASAE Board adopted a Diversity + Inclusion advocacy and policy model and approved new contract language for future events. The board also received updates on the major strategic initiatives, new AssociaMetrics platform and passed the budget, which includes Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 17) Program of Work and specific projects in all areas of ASAE and the ASAE Foundation. ASAE developed a business model that offers accountability and flexibility for D+I advocacy and policy influencing social justice issues,… more
Aug 16, 2016
Urban Expositions snagged another property for its burgeoning portfolio – LeftField Media – which has several consumer events around the United States. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition will provide LeftField increased capital and infrastructure, while offering Urban Expositions, a Clarion Events Company, new expertise and market reach in B2C events. LeftField Media was started in 2014 by New York Comic Con founder Greg Topalian and the senior leadership at Business Journals Inc. - Britton Jones, Mac Brighton, and Sharon Enright. Clarion's deal involves it buying out the… more
Aug 15, 2016
The trials and tribulations of launching a new show, successfully leveraging digital, mapping the attendee and exhibitor journey, new tech innovation and utilizing content marketing were just some of the hot-button topics discussed at the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Leadership Conference, held Aug. 9-11 in Cleveland, Ohio. David Audrain, SISO’s executive director, said there were about 174 people at the event, which was on par with last year. "We are receiving very positive comments from our members on both the content and location of this year's SISO Leadership Conference,”… more
Aug 14, 2016
As president and CEO of International Association of Exhibitions and Events, David  DuBois not only travels a lot, but also he is responsible for the management of 23 full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fund raising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. Also, he serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.