Association Show News
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Nov 11, 2019
As evidenced by its impressive growth in participation, relocating to Denver seemed to have been a good decision for the International Fly Tackle Dealer trade show, which took place Oct. 16-18 at Colorado Convention Center.
Known as the world’s largest international gathering of fly fishing manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, media and fly fishing organizations, IFTD 2019 experienced a record 137 percent increase in its attendance at 2,251, its largest audience ever in the history of the event. In July 2018, the show drew in 950 attendees to a collocated event with ICAST at Orange County… more
Nov 07, 2019
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is reaching more industry professionals around the world than ever before. On Nov. 6, UFI members from more than 50 countries converged for the 2019 UFI General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, to review the organization’s work throughout the past year, as well as discuss plans for 2020.
The meeting precedes UFI’s 86th annual Global Congress, which boasts more than 550 registered participants this year, making it the largest in UFI’s history and matching the record number of attendees at the 2016 Congress in Shanghai, China.
Chaired by… more
Oct 31, 2019
If the future’s in their hands, it looks pretty bright. Last week, PCMA announced its annual class of the brightest, most talented association professionals around the globe, including leaders from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The class is supported by the PCMA Foundation along with Experience Columbus and will be honored at the PCMA Convening Leaders conference, Jan. 5-8, 2020 at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
“This group represents our industry’s future, and the PCMA Foundation is dedicated to recognizing the efforts and achievements of those who want to help demonstrate the… more
Oct 24, 2019
Many associations do not have a strategic plan for their events, according to a survey of more than 100 association leaders and decision-makers conducted by general service contracting company T3 Expo. This finding and more were revealed and discussed at length at the company’s 2ndAnnual Executive Leadership Forum, held Oct. 10 at the W Washington D.C. hotel in Washington, D.C.
The annual survey focuses on critical issues necessary for trade show success, growth and increasing revenue. Conducted along with Heidrick & Struggles, an executive recruitment and placement firm, and Professor… more
Oct 10, 2019
The 2019 edition of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO was a huge success by all accounts. Show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, reports that the show hit an unprecedented level in late September, breaking records for number of exhibitors, total exhibit space and total attendees.
At the show’s close, preliminary numbers showed 31,000 attendees (an 8 percent increase from the 2017 edition) and more than 2,000 exhibitors covering nearly 900,000 net square feet at Las Vegas Convention Center.
“With the incredible role it now… more
Sep 25, 2019
International Association of Exhibitions and Events is heading to the Middle East. The world’s leading trade association for exhibitions management announced this week that it will launch Expo! Expo! MENA in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in fall 2020.
"By bringing the IAEE Expo! Expo! brand to the MENA region, we are filling a much-needed gap in this region by providing a trade show and conference that brings buyers and sellers together to conduct business and learn best practices in exhibition management," said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois.
MENA, which will build off the Expo! Expo! IAEE annual… more
Sep 19, 2019
Last year, Cori Dossett, president of Conferences Designed based in Dallas, spent two weeks in New Zealand. It was meant to be a holiday, but despite being 7,500 miles from home, it didn’t feel like one.
“I literally worked half the vacation — some days I did not leave my hotel room,” recalls Dossett. “It was unfortunate and sad in so many ways.”
This meeting planner’s experience is relatable on many levels. It’s hard to take time away from work in this industry, and even more so when you’re the boss. As a self-employed small business owner, Dossett says she has freedom to take as much… more
Aug 22, 2019
Outdoor Retailer will not produce Winter Market, slated for Nov. 5-7, instead uniting the show with Snow Show to create one winter trade show in January. Called the Outdoor + Snow Show, the new show will be held Jan. 29-31 at Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
The news has been well received by Outdoor Retailer’s audience, who will now only have to mark their calendars for one show this winter. This is a return to the original format for Outdoor Retailer shows, which included one market in the winter and one during summer (the next Summer Market is scheduled for June 23-25, 2020, also in… more
Aug 19, 2019
Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, was home to the 2019 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exhibition last week, Aug. 10-13. More than 5,400 association professionals and industry partners convened to participate in 110 education sessions, explore 710 expo hall booths and hear powerful keynotes.
“The theme for this year’s event of learn and play with purpose resonated in every aspect of the meeting,” said Susan Robertson, interim president and CEO of ASAE. “From the design of the main stage and convention center to the content covered by our speakers, attendees were compelled to… more
Aug 08, 2019
The 2019 annual convention for Destinations International, held July 23-25 at America’s Convention Center Complex in downtown St. Louis, was a success by all accounts. This year’s event featured several new elements, including The Exchange—a stage that featured a rotating schedule of 15-minute sessions covering topics such as tech and data, leadership and management, social media and more.
“Evolve and Elevate” was the theme of the conference, and throughout the program, leaders from DI as well as Destinations International Foundation celebrated those who have demonstrated their commitment… 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.