May 02, 2024
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has formed a strategic sustainability partnership with venue development, hospitality services and solutions provider Oak View Group (OVG) to certify its entire convention portfolio of more than 60 venues in cities like Chicago, Dallas and Miami.
OVG’s convention center portfolio will be certified in accordance with the EIC Sustainable Event Standards, a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria that support environmental and social responsibility.
The partnership — the… more
Apr 26, 2024
What’s new in San Diego in 2024?
Earlier this year, the San Diego Tourism Authority hosted a media tour for event and trade show industry press that included four stops. Here’s what event organizers/exhibitors need to know about what’s new and trending in this popular destination.
San Diego International Airport
During a behind-the-scenes tour of the $3.4 billion construction project at the San Diego International Airport, Chief Development Officer Angela Shafer-Payne said the 661-acre airport currently serves 550 flights per day.
Context: The existing Terminal 1 opened in 1967 while… more
Apr 12, 2024
What’s the latest in Las Vegas? We spent a few days in Vegas in January, and here are some of the highlights about what’s new and trending for events in the ever-popular desert city.
Fountainbleau
Fontainebleau Las Vegas officially opened its doors Dec. 13, 2023. Located across the street from the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Fontainebleau Las Vegas features a 150,000-square-foot casino with 42-foot ceilings and 3,644 hotel rooms and suites.
Staying here: The 67-story resort features a bevy of high-end amenities, including a six-acre elevated pool deck, a 14,000 sq. ft.… more
Apr 11, 2024
Meeting and convention facilities across the country and around the globe have been inking new deals with leading hospitality and management providers, upgrading technology infrastructure and launching new premium spaces to accommodate the ever-growing demand from event organizers.
Smart City Networks Completes Network Upgrade at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Smart City Networks, provider of utilities, technology and telecommunications services for convention centers and hospitality venues, completed an almost $1 million network upgrade for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention… more
Apr 09, 2024
Cvent CONNECT, an annual user conference that drew 10,000 meetings, events and hospitality professionals in 2023, in-person and online, unveiled its full 2024 agenda and its first keynote speaker, Blackstone Global Head of Portfolio Operations Jennifer Morgan. As the co-CEO of SAP, she is the first female to lead a company on the DAX, a stock market index consisting of the 40 major German blue-chip companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Previously held in Las Vegas, the 2024 edition of Cvent CONNECT is moving to San Antonio for the first time and will be held June 10-13 at the… more
Mar 01, 2024
In an effort to become more inclusive, more venues are offering services to accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. In Q4 2023, The Huntington Center and Glass City Center, both located in Toledo, Ohio, were designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
The venue teams completed a comprehensive training and certification process to better understand and accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
Glass City Center offers a 75,000-square-foot expo… more
Feb 20, 2024
For the second time in its history, EXHIBITORLIVE will be held in a city other than Las Vegas. Last year’s event was held in April in Louisville, Ky. while this year’s event is set for Feb. 25-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.
It’s the first show under the leadership of David DuBois, CEO, president and publisher of Exhibitor Group, who took over the reigns on Oct. 1, 2023, after serving as president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) for 11 years.
“I am pleased to report that our attendance will surpass the 2023… more
Feb 12, 2024
From Sioux City, Iowa to Chicago to Fort Worth, Texas, convention centers across the U.S. are upping the ante on their meeting and trade show offerings by forming new partnerships with management, food and beverage, and technology service providers, as well as rebooking long-term business.
McCormick Place and RSNA
RSNA & Choose Chicago officials at PCMA Convening Leaders
Choose Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) recently announced the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has committed to hosting its Annual Meeting in Chicago through 2032.
One… more
Feb 05, 2024
After almost seven decades of operating at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, the Tropicana Las Vegas will close its doors on April 2, just two days shy of its 67th anniversary. The 1,470-room resort is slated for decommissioning and demolition to clear the way for a $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat professional baseball stadium and integrated resort, according to Bally’s Corporation, which has owned the Rat Pack-era hotel-casino since 2022.
The proposed ballpark will serve as the new home of the city’s first Major League Baseball team – the Oakland Athletics, which are relocating to Las Vegas… more
Jan 25, 2024
ASM Global’s Sustainability Conversion of U.S. Venue Portfolio Moves Forward With Voltus Partnership
Venue management company and live event producer ASM Global and distributed energy resource (DER) platform and virtual power plant operator Voltus Inc. announced a partnership designed to help ASM Global reduce energy consumption across all its convention and entertainment venues located in wholesale and regulated power markets in the U.S.
Voltus helps deliver less expensive, more reliable and more sustainable electricity, paying energy users to reduce or shift electricity use in response to grid stress, high prices and high emissions. Its commercial and industrial customers, as well as DER… 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.