News

Aug 10, 2011
This year’s Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Conference - “Digital Declaration” - wrapped up Aug. 11 after not only covering various aspects of technology impacting the trade show industry, but also drawing more attendees. In all, 180 show organizers and suppliers came to the event held at Philadelphia’s newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center, compared with 150 attendees at last year’s conference in Boston. The event kicked off Tuesday night with a reception at the Franklin Institute, and Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the… more
Aug 08, 2011
Reed Exhibitions’ Aluminium China broke all previous attendance records at its recent show, with 11,282 visitors from 83 countries and regions, a 25-percent jump from the 2010 edition. Of the visitors, 1,244 were international – 76 percent more than last year. In addition, 420 exhibitors were on the exhibit floor in July at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. For the first time, Aluminium China, which represents the complete industry supply chain for Aluminium, was collocated with Industrial Materials China, featuring copper, magnesium, green processing methods and… more
Aug 08, 2011
New buyers at Global Sources’ Private Sourcing Events more than doubled for the first half of this year, according to company officials. Among new buyers were AEON, E.Leclerc, Forever 21, Fujitsu, J.C. Penney and Lidl. "As product costs increase, we are looking for ways to reduce expenses in other areas. Private Sourcing Events save us time and money by short-listing quality suppliers who meet our strict requirements before any meetings take place,” said Jacqueline Au, buying manager for AEON Hong Kong.   She added, “This has freed our sourcing teams to spend… more
Aug 08, 2011
UBM Asia’s Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair drew an 18-percent increase of attendees at its recent June event at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, with a record 22,452 visitors coming from 104 countries and regions, according to company officials. Of the 22,452 visitors, 42 percent were Hong Kong-based visitors, while 58 percent were from overseas, a growth of 30 percent, compared with last year’s June event. The largest group of visitors came from outside Hong Kong came from mainland China, with a total of 5,372, followed by India, Taiwan, the Philippines… more
Aug 08, 2011
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) reported the attendance of 950,000 visitors at its recently concluded 22nd edition of the Hong Kong Book Fair, an increase of 3 percent, compared with 2010. One of the largest events of its kind in Asia, the week-long event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and ran July 18-24. The fair is a public event with exhibiting categories ranging from books and publications, e-Books and software to stationary. A record 526 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions featured at this year’s fair. The large visiting… more
Aug 08, 2011
Companies across the Asia-Pacific region recently made executive management changes, including United Business Media Asia, Messe Duesseldorf, Marina Bay Sands and SKYCITY Entertainment Group: Here are several announcements: United Business Media Asia promoted Mike Tan to the position of senior vice president Aug. 1. Tan began his career in print publishing and joined UBM Asia in 1995 as a magazine publisher. Since then, he has undertaken a wide variety of management tasks, including as general manager for UBM Asia's China business based in Shanghai, general manager for the trade… more
Aug 08, 2011
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that Hong Kong’s overnight MICE arrivals increased by 10 percent year-on-year to 725,779 in the first six months of 2011. According to HKTB, the growth of MICE arrivals can be attributed to record-breaking numbers of participants at large-scale conventions and exhibition during the period. Of those 725,779 arrivals, 43 percent or 310,913 were from mainland China, which grew 15 percent year-on-year. South and south-east Asia arrivals also recorded significant growth, rising 11 percent to 116,788. European, African and the Middle Eastern… more
Aug 08, 2011
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) announced a US$67,000 sponsorship fund has been set-up to assist MICE venues applying for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) green certification within this year as well as in 2012. The bureau is working with the Thai Industrial Standards institute to launch an Energy Management Certification (ISO 50001) that would improve the standard of MICE venues in terms of their environmental impact. Akapol Surasuchart, president of TCEB, commented that TCEB will cover 70 percent of the consultancy fee involved for each venue… more
Aug 07, 2011
The American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exposition, on tap Aug. 6-9 in St. Louis, attracted 5,400 total participants, which was slightly more than the 5,270 participants that came to last year’s event in Los Angeles. “We surpassed Los Angeles last year, and we’re really excited about that,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, at a press conference on the meeting’s third day. There also were 672 booths and 400 companies on the showfloor at America… more
Aug 01, 2011
U.K.-based B2B media group, UBM plc, released its results for the six months ended June 30, showing headline revenue growth of 9.1 percent, from £434 million last year to £474 million. Adjusted group operating profit grew 10.5 percent from £83 million to £92 million. Revenues from UBM’s exhibition business grew 27.1 percent in the first half to £177 million and adjusted operating profit was up 41.8 percent to £58 million – which the company attributed in part to the acquisition of Canon events last year. Underlying annual revenues are up 13.… 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.