Association Show News
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Feb 09, 2017
For the first time in 50 years, SECO International will move SECO, the annual conference providing the optometry industry educational opportunities since 1924, out of Atlanta and to New Orleans.
This move marks the first time SECO has held a meeting outside of Atlanta since 1957. SECO 2019 will take place Feb. 20–24 at the New Orleans Ernest Morial Convention Center.
“We’re excited to bring SECO to a new city and believe the move will energize the conference on all fronts, giving us the creative luxury to reimagine the event strategy to ensure the show is meeting the business and education… more
Feb 08, 2017
The 62nd edition of Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders, which took place Jan. 7-10 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., welcomed 4,457 participants from 45 countries – a year-over-year increase of 7 percent - setting a new attendance record for the annual event.
Of the total attendance, 54 percent were Business Events Strategists - PCMA members and non-members drawn from the association and corporate sectors (80 percent and 20 percent, respectively) - and 43 percent industry suppliers.
On top of the in-person attendance in Nashville, 1,604 participants… more
Feb 06, 2017
We can talk all day about what the trade show industry and our employers are or are not doing to promote, protect, and compensate women (and we will), but are women doing enough to get the promotions, protections, and compensation that they deserve? Some women will say that we shouldn’t have to do anything, that equality is equality. Others might say that if anything is worth having, it’s worth working toward methodically.
There may also be a group of women that is simply happy with where they are and where they’re going. What about you? In this week’s discussion, Michelle Bruno will solicit… more
Feb 02, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson
Meetings and events are not immune to crises. Everything from severe weather/natural disasters to protests to a tragic accident can affect an event and require immediate and confident communication with attendees, the media and other stakeholders.
And, while many events and the venues in which they reside have operational crisis plans in place, far fewer have communication strategies prepare ahead of time.
“I found that about half of my clients who hosted larger events (500+ attendees) did not have an adequate crisis communication plan prepared for their events,”… more
Feb 01, 2017
With the stroke of a pen last Friday, President Donald Trump put in place an Executive Order calling for the ban of Syrian refugees entering the U.S. for the next four months and anyone from six other countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – would not be permitted into the United States for the next three months.
The action not only created chaos at airports as people were detained, even some who were holding Green Cards, but also protests erupted in several locations.
With thousands of trade shows annually held in the U.S., many of which bring in international visitors… more
Jan 25, 2017
As the trade show industry keeps on growing, shows and suppliers continue to find new ways of working together.
CNTV (Convention News Television) recently signed a trio of contracts, two of which expand on existing business and the third picking up a new client.
As an expansion of a threeyear deal to produce onsite, sameday video updates at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), CNTV will now produce AAPEX TV yearround.
“Our customers love it,” said Mark Bogdansky, senior director of Meetings and Events for the Auto Care Association. “When we decided to enhance the AAPEX TV… more
Jan 23, 2017
Want to take your trade show and turn it into a compelling, not-to-miss industry event? Try strapping a few live action cameras to some of your attendees, let them loose on the showfloor, live stream their experiences on Facebook and voila – you’ve not only given your at-home audience a glimpse of what they’re missing, you’ve also turned your event into a cutting-edge attendee marketing machine!
One Atlanta-based trade show did exactly that, and with overwhelmingly positive results.
As a biennial trade show and conference for the woodworking, design, and material processing industry, the… more
Jan 20, 2017
As part of TSNN’s Research Series, we currently are collecting survey responses from show organizers for the Event Technology Trends & Future Outlook study.
The link is HERE and everyone who completes the survey will receive an executive summary of the report, as well as a 20-percent discount on the full 30-40 page report on the latest event technology trends.
Events and technology have a unique and powerful relationship. Yet the pace of technological change is unprecedented and accelerating, and even staying on top of trends is a challenge.
To help event management analyze these… more
Jan 19, 2017
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition had a busy 2016 advocating to prove the value of the meetings industry, and 2017 looks to be even busier, as MMB continues to push existing initiatives forward and launch new ones.
“Meetings Mean Business continues to grow as a coalition, attracting new supporters and elevating the industry,” said Richard Harper, MMB co-chair and HelmsBriscoe executive vice president.
He added, “In 2017, we are excited to build on this momentum and expand our reach through the newly launched Meeting Planner Taskforce aimed at engaging this important audience, a global… more
Jan 19, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson
It was retail as far as the eye could see inside Jan. 15-17 the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) opened its doors to 35,000 industry members for the 2017 Retail BIG Show. This year, well-known figures in fashion and retail, including ABC “Shark Tank’s” Daymond John, NBA Basketball Player Kobe Bryant and Astronaut Captain Scott Kelly.
The show caters its content to large brands, as well as small businesses and covers all areas of retail needs from operations to technology to marketing.
Last year, NRF launched an… 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.