News
Dec 17, 2020
Sometimes a little teamwork can go a long way. Emerald, owner of the International Gift Expo of the Smokies, and Clarion Events, which owns the Smoky Mountain Gift Show, recently celebrated a joint milestone for their companies – and the exhibitions industry overall – by pulling off productive and safe in-person trade shows last month in Tennessee.
To accomplish this feat during the pandemic, the event producers created Tennessee Market Week, a collaborative effort to safely and conveniently reunite brands, wholesalers and buyers from across both shows to form the gift, resort and souvenir… more
Dec 16, 2020
Snowsports Industries America is hoping that a dual-pronged approach to updating two long-standing expos will create an avalanche of excitement.
In announcing its new strategy and rebranding of events, SIA is getting the ball rolling with a new immersive platform, Snowboundfest.com.
The website serves primarily as a showcase for two November events: Rockies and New England Snowbound Festivals. It includes a healthy dose of ski-related news, notes and interviews to maintain engagement with attendees. Event swag like ski hats and face masks (it is 2020, after all) is available for purchase in… more
Dec 15, 2020
Swapcard, an AI-powered engagement and matchmaking platform for events, announced the launch of their second in-house 3-day virtual event and show, Evolve 2.0, which will be held from February 23-25, 2021.
To attend, please register HERE.
Following the success of their first virtual event back in May 2020, Evolve: The Virtual Event for Planners, which built a community of more than 4,000 event professionals, Swapcard made the move towards a 365 platform with the Evolve Community Series.
The team has continued to release new content monthly and the community has continued to grow and… more
Dec 15, 2020
The U.S Travel Association has agreed to partner with Connect Travel for a multi-event trade show in Las Vegas, set for Sept. 12-22, 2021.
The centerpiece of the event will be USTA’s flagship IPW travel trade show, which will collocate with Connect Tour, Connect THRIVE LGBTQ Summit and eTourism Summit. IPW will encompass the Las Vegas Convention Center while the Connect events will be held at a property (to be announced later) adjacent to the facility.
“IPW has always placed a heavy emphasis on evolving along with the needs of our delegates, and 2021 will be perhaps the most important year… more
Dec 15, 2020
U.S.-based CLIPr was crowned the overall winner of the 2020 TechWatch Live Award, which was presented during IBTM World Virtual, held online Dec. 8-10. The platform beat out four other leading event tech companies for its achievements in addressing “Zoom fatigue” with its intelligent use of machine-learning and AI technology to provide searchable, personalized recorded video recaps and insights of online meetings, events and classes.
By analyzing recorded video content and highlighting key topics, CLIPr enables users to search and share important moments from an online event in a fraction of… more
Dec 14, 2020
How do you build a consummate event industry professional? Take an endless curiosity and a passion for learning and innovative thinking, sprinkle in an affinity for building relationships, bind it all together with more than 20 years of hard work and experience, and you end up with Liz Irving.
As executive vice president – head of marketing, technology and customer experience at Clarion Events North America, Irving oversees the strategic direction and integration of marketing and technology across the company’s North American trade show portfolio, including digital and virtual platform… more
Dec 11, 2020
'Tis the season for holiday work parties! In line with most of 2020, the festivities are going to look and feel quite a bit different. Why not one last Zoom call to ring out the year?
The challenge facing event planners is overcoming the most complicated aspect of virtual events—creating engaging teambuilding activities—so the party feels…well, like a party. After all, the ROI on a virtual gala is quite a bit different than an in-person event.
Networking and teambuilding are items 1) and 1a) on the agenda. The goal is to have fun and escape, albeit momentarily, the joys of working with… more
Dec 10, 2020
The Society of Independent Show Organizer recently collaborated not once, but twice, for its members in two valuable ways with Web Summit and its Founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave.
In October, SISO Chair and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie interviewed Cosgrave as part of SISO’s high-value webinar series.
The talk - "Is Virtual the new Emperor's clothes? - Lessons from taking a major event virtual” - focused on the transition of Web Summit – the mega-event for the tech industry that runs annually in Lisbon, Portugal – to a virtual event that ran Dec. 2-4.
As part of the virtual event,… more
Dec 10, 2020
It’s not often you can put Trivial Pursuit, an MTV-styled workout and Spongebob Squarepants-themed yoga into one event, let alone of one sentence. Yet that sort of creativity is why Informa Markets is hailing the success of its month-long virtual Festival of Licensing in October.
Traditionally held over three days at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the 2020 Licensing Expo was entirely reimagined due to the pandemic. Rather than cram Zoom connections with attendees all across the world into a few days, Informa dramatically altered the scale and shape of the show.
The sheer size… more
Dec 09, 2020
Every winter in Las Vegas, buyers and sellers in the fashion industry typically converge for a week filled with a series of trade shows held throughout the city.
This February, however, due to the continued uncertainty organizers face on when they will be able to hold their shows in Las Vegas, three of the largest for-profit companies have banded together to move their events to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center Feb. 9-11.
The collaboration between Informa Markets Fashion’s newly announced MAGIC Pop Up Orlando; a women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and footwear event - with US-… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.