Association Show News
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Sep 11, 2014
The trade show industry grew by 1 percent in the second quarter of 2014, marking the sixteenth quarter of consecutive growth, according to the CEIR Index Report released today in a room filled with C-level executives at the CEIR Predict Conference in Chicago.
All four metrics tracked by the index posted year-on-year gains, with the strongest performance in Real Revenues, which rose 1.4 percent.
The growth of the exhibition industry lagged behind GDP during the second quarter of 2014, a reversal of the previous two quarters.
"Overall, the second-quarter results show a meager gain of 1.0… more
Sep 10, 2014
Connectivity was supercharged at the CTIA Super Mobility Week, a trade show and conference for all things wireless that took place Sept. 9-11 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
The inaugural Week brought together CTIA’s consumer and enterprise-focused events that used to run in the spring and fall, as well as 4G World, IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin (via online portal) and Competitive Carriers' Association annual conference, which ran at the Cosmopolitan hotel and shared badges with CTIA.
“We are a very dynamic industry. We have to start from scratch every year,” said… more
Sep 03, 2014
Lew Shomer, the executive director for the Society of Independent Show Organizers, will be stepping down from the organization that represents for-profit show organizers when the current management agreement with his management company, Shomex Productions, expires Sept. 30, 2015.
Shomer told the SISO Board of Directors at the last meeting in Atlantic City that "it's time to change leadership and continue the growth of SISO."
SISO Chairman Rick McConnell said, "With the help of Lew, SISO is in the best possible shape and is a great organization, with lots of upside still to come."
He added… more
Sep 02, 2014
Home to the latest technology ideas and innovations, the Eureka Park Marketplace at the 2015 International CES will expand by more than 50 percent, compared with the 2014 event and feature exhibits from 300 startups.
The 2015 CES, owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association, is scheduled to run Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas.
Returning for its fourth year, the Eureka Park Marketplace will highlight entrepreneurs and their home-grown innovations across the consumer technology spectrum.
The Eureka Park Marketplace is expected to span 35,000 net square feet of… more
Sep 02, 2014
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has selected the Pennsylvania Convention Center as the location for its 2019 annual conference, according to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.
APIC, which is the leading professional association for infection preventionists with more than 15,000 members, will hold its annual conference in Philadelphia for the first time in 2019.
“Philadelphia has always been a great destination and now that SMG has worked out some of the past challenges with the new CSA we are looking forward to treating our… more
Aug 19, 2014
Association Forum of Chicagoland's Board of Directors has selected Michelle Mason, CAE, FASAE, as the organization's new President and CEO. Mason will assume responsibilities Sept. 15, succeeding Christie A. Tarantino, FASAE, CAE, who stepped down in March to join the Institute of Food Technologists.
Mason has been the managing director, Strategic Developments and Innovation, at the American Society for Quality, a global community of people dedicated to quality who share ideas, tools and best practices, since 2006. ASQ has an annual budget of $42M, which includes two subsidiaries, two… more
Aug 19, 2014
Every workplace right now likely is experiencing a similar situation; there are not only one or two different generations working together, but there could be up to four, all trying to relate to each other in an effective manner.
Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomers, only missing a Millennial, recently were part of a panel discussion at the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Leadership Conference, held Aug. 11-13 in Atlantic City.
Led by Ali Hall, founding partner and manager of Versa Ventures, the panel discussed several different aspects of their views on the workplace.
Not… more
Aug 18, 2014
Music City was an undeniable draw, with nearly 6,000 overall attendees and the highest number of association executives coming to the 2014 American Society for Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held Aug. 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn., since the 2007 event in Chicago.
The final attendance breakdown included 3,159 executives, 1,897 exhibitors, 919 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a total of 5,975.
“We had the highest number of association executives since we were in Chicago in 2007, and more than two-thirds of our members had never… more
Aug 14, 2014
Atlantic City rolled out the red carpet, and then some, for 175 attendees to the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Leadership Conference, held Aug. 11-13 at the Revel Casino and Resort.
Even with news about some casinos closing and the fate of the Revel in the balance right now, the city forged ahead and put on a high-level event, with three days filled with networking and education opportunities.
“We loved it here,” said SISO’s Executive Director Lew Shomer. “They have been great to us. They really pulled out all the stops. The Revel was fabulous for its food and venue and… more
Aug 10, 2014
Trade show and expo organizers and even exhibitors looking to add a fun, no-hassle charitable component to their event, need look no further than the Foundation for Hospital Art.
The Foundation for Hospital Art installs brightly colored murals in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities around the world. The murals are often painted by attendees at events.
This is an activity that all ages can participate in. There are no physical limitations, and no artistic ability is required. If you can color in the lines, you can paint a mural. Whether someone has just three minutes to… 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.