News

Nov 09, 2023
If you attended Connect Marketplace in August in Minneapolis or the Events Industry Council (EIC) Global Awards Celebration at IMEX America in October, you may have received photos in real-time via SpotMyPhotos, an AI-powered, automated private photo-sharing technology that goes beyond facial recognition to let people’s photos find them.  Attendees and exhibitors who opt-in to experience this next-gen photo delivery platform at events can enjoy the convenience of having all photographs taken of them instantly delivered to their smartphones, eliminating the need to scroll through hundreds or… more
Nov 07, 2023
Following seven months of negotiations, tens of thousands of hotel workers represented by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 have reached a tentative deal with Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, averting a sweeping strike that could have massively impacted 18 major resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. According to Culinary Union officials, less than three hours before the strike deadline, the Unions reached a tentative agreement with Wynn Resorts on Nov. 10 at 2 a.m. for a new five-year contract covering more than 5,000… more
Nov 07, 2023
Throughout the U.S. and across the pond, trade show-related organizations are welcoming fresh leadership, placing industry veterans at the helm of venues, event production and technology companies and destination management organizations. Take a look!  Clarion Events North America  Clarion Events North America recently added to its leadership team with the appointment of Nicole Peck as executive vice president of the Digital Innovation Portfolio, which includes Clarion’s flagship technology innovation brand, InsureTech Connect (ITC Vegas) and the premier mobile app marketing event, Mobile… more
Nov 06, 2023
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has selected trade show industry veteran Karen Chupka to succeed Chris Brown as the association’s managing director and executive vice president of global connections and events, effective Jan. 1. After 25 years of service to the organization, Brown announced in July that he is transitioning out of NAB following the 2024 NAB Show, which is set for April 14-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Chupka comes to NAB following 33 years of leadership experience with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), including as executive vice president of… more
Nov 06, 2023
The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative has published "Best Practices for Decarbonization Pathways" to provide actionable insights and strategies that can be implemented immediately by event organizers, venues, exhibitors and suppliers. The document is available free to download here.  The interim document provides best practices for venue energy, smart production and waste management, food and food waste, logistics and travel and accommodation. The document highlights actions to help event organizations gain a head start on their decarbonization journey. Full guidance documents are set for… more
Nov 03, 2023
Held Oct. 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the 12th edition of IMEX America was the largest ever in terms of attendance and number of booths. The event featured 360 booths and nearly 15,000 confirmed participants, of which more than 5,000 were buyers. Those buyers, of which one-fifth represented the corporate sector, took part in more than 80,000 pre-scheduled meetings in three days, of which 73,000 were one-to-ones with exhibitors.   The show boasted a 20% increase in space taken by exhibitors and a 9% increase in the number of booths, according to an IMEX press… more
Nov 02, 2023
London-based marketing, content production and event management services provider TEMBO has unveiled TEMBO TECHNIQUES, a new training and development service designed to equip event professionals with the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed in conference production and event marketing. With an emphasis on interactivity and hands-on learning to help empower team members to learn through practical experience, TEMBO’s training portfolio will encompass a wide array of courses, with an option to tailor bespoke training solutions to meet specific business needs, according to TEMBO… more
Nov 01, 2023
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, kicked off its 90th UFI Global Congress today in Las Vegas — the first time for the global gathering to meet in the U.S. — with a member vote during its annual General Assembly to approve the launch of a North America chapter.  Exhibition Place Toronto General Manager Laura Purdy will chair the new chapter together with vice chairs Kim Carcone, executive vice president, global market events for the Toy Association, and Pepe Navarro, director general for Tarsus/Informa. UFI will work with MAD Event Management, a trade show management… more
Nov 01, 2023
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies At Honeycomb Strategies, our data-based approach to sustainability says you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Quantitative metrics aid in setting realistic goals, tracking progress towards their achievement and transparent reporting. So, we’ve compiled a list of five data points that are vital to tracking sustainable progress for events.  1. Waste Diversion from Landfill Events can generate a lot of waste, and without a good strategy much of it can wind up in the landfill. Landfills release methane through decomposition, which traps even… more
Oct 31, 2023
Held Oct. 27-28, the 2023 TSNN Awards drew about 140 attendees to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for two days of celebration, education and living “boricua,” a spirit, flavor and rhythm honoring the island’s heritage.  "The 2023 TSNN Awards Gala was a magical night, with awards given out to all of the overall Innovation winners, Outstanding Show Pros and the DEI, Industry Support and Industry Icon honorees," said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. "The energy was electric, with salsa dancers kicking off the night with a fantastic performance, followed by a night filled with incredible food, music and… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.