News
Feb 04, 2020
For the first time, the PGA Merchandise Show—the largest gathering of PGA professionals—co-located with National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Business Conference and Racquet & Paddle Sports Show. All three shows wrapped up last week to great success at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“Being in the same place over the same week with PGA professionals and their leadership allows for organic and planned opportunities for collaboration,” said Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA. “The NGCOA is helping to promote to our audience the value that PGA Members bring to their facilities…… more
Feb 04, 2020
Emerald Expositions Events today launched a new brand identity, vision, corporate website and formal name change to Emerald Holding, Inc. According to Emerald officials, these changes reflect the company’s evolution and core commitment to building dynamic market platforms that integrate live events, community-relevant content and data-focused solutions into uniquely rich experiences.
“As our portfolio of events and services has advanced, we have now evolved the Emerald brand to better reflect who we are – a company fully immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the… more
Jan 31, 2020
Coronavirus is all over the news: Airlines are reducing flights to China or grounding flights coming from Wuhan (where the virus originated); Asia trade shows are being postponed; and on Jan. 30, the World Health Organization officially declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency.
It’s nearly impossible for event professionals to avoid travel during this time, making it important to take extra precautions to stay well as world health experts work to contain the virus. Here’s what you need to know.
How Coronavirus Is Transmitted
For the most part, the virus was transmitted… more
Jan 31, 2020
After five years at the helm of Reed Exhibitions, Chet Burchett will be retiring from the global company, and Hugh Jones will be stepping in Feb. 1.
“I’m looking forward to bringing more increasingly sophisticated data-led analytics and technology to more customers around the world,” Jones said. “Exhibitions is an exciting, entrepreneurial industry, and the fundamentals of the business are excellent.”
He added, “Combining the best of face-to-face connections with technology and rich data analytics will provide new value to our more than 7 million exhibitors and visitors. This ensures that… more
Jan 30, 2020
More than 7,700 people have been sickened and 170 people have died from the coronavirus in mainland China, while at least 68 cases have been reported in other places around the world, according to the World Health Organization. As WHO meets today to decide whether to declare the coronavirus epidemic an international public health emergency, the outbreak is beginning to impact the Chinese trade show industry.
“With Chinese and international authorities very focused on containment, there is a growing consensus amongst the international organizers we are speaking to that this situation will… more
Jan 29, 2020
UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – has updated its database of initiatives and projects from the exhibition industry that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (which TSNN originally reported on here).
This resource, which was initiated by the UFI Working Group on Sustainability and put together in collaboration with Greenview, a member of this working group, showcases work done by organizers, venues and service providers. It was. The concept was also shared for use by the Joint Meetings Industry Council to expand the compilation to… more
Jan 28, 2020
In a first for the veterinary world, the North American Veterinary Community has launched VMX Virtual, an immersive and interactive 3D platform to transform the world’s largest veterinary conference and trade show into a year-round, on-demand marketplace for exhibitors and attendees.
Intended to be a complement to and extension of its annual trade show and conference, Veterinary Meeting & Expo, the virtual VMX was launched in December 2019, one month prior to the live event. Held Jan. 18-22 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2020 edition of VMX attracted… more
Jan 27, 2020
Upping their games to attract more meeting and convention business in an ever-more-competitive market, major U.S. convention centers are busy with renovation and expansion projects. Here’s what to watch for.
Las Vegas Convention Center District Taking Shape
The 1.4 million-square-foot, $1.5 billion Las Vegas Convention Center District expansion and remodeling project is moving along on schedule. Last fall, the convention center announced it had completed more than 60 percent of the project’s Phase Two expansion, which broke ground in January 2017 and began construction in fall of 2018.… more
Jan 24, 2020
Bishop-McCann — a Kansas City, Missouri-based producer of meetings, incentives and events — has acquired the meetings and events division of ASE Group. Established in 1988, ASE Group (also headquartered in Kansas City) is a meetings and events agency focused on advancing the franchise industry.
This acquisition will allow Bishop-McCann to increase its position in the franchise industry and encourage increased diversification within the industry, according to company officials. Bishop-McCann has produced more than 30,000 programs in 28 countries.
“Bringing more innovation to our clients and… more
Jan 23, 2020
Leaders from industry companies including CadmiumCD, EXPOCAD, Freeman, GES, Map Your Show and Personify A2Z Events are coming together to create a solution to a major problem in the industry: jumbled exhibitor data. This effort of designing common exhibitor data standards is expected to help streamline operations as well as improve the customer experience.
In the past, events providers each had their own practices for managing exhibitor data — and because there wasn’t a standard for providing the data, it created pain points and was inefficient for all involved, explains Rick Britton, GES… more
Partner Voices

Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.