News
Sep 06, 2019
After a few months of weekly street protests in Hong Kong that impacted the airport for a few days and caused street closures, the city’s exhibition industry forged ahead with several major shows opening recently.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre welcomed hundreds of thousands of exhibitors and buyers from all over the world to five trade fairs in the past two weeks, signifying the beginning of the annual trade fair season.
The first was Asia Adult Expo held Aug. 27-29, followed by four co-locating international trade fairs Sept. 3-7, namely HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock… more
Sep 06, 2019
Ricky Kalmon isn’t your everyday motivational speaker. A mindset expert, celebrity hypnotist and motivational speaker by trade, Kalmon works to engage and inspire event groups through his customized entertainment and keynote program that blends hypnosis with high-energy mindset coaching. CEN/TSNN sat down with Kalmon to find out how a positive mental attitude can not only help us become healthier, happier and less stressed, but also more successful in our personal and professional lives.
How did you get into hypnotism?
I grew up in the entertainment business and was a child magician. I… more
Sep 05, 2019
New York, San Francisco and Chicago top the list of the best North American cities for events in 2020, according to a new ranking released by CWT M&E, the global meetings and events division of CWT.
The list was created based on CWT’s volume of business and booking trends, including a combination of requested cities, awarded RFPs and business value.
Each of the three top cities moved up in the ranking from last year, and several cities were brand new to the list, including Atlanta, Toronto and San Diego (which took the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots, respectively). The No. 1 ranked city for 2019… more
Sep 04, 2019
Fonteva Mobile Powered by Guidebook, a new partnership between mobile app building platform Guidebook and Fonteva, a provider of association and events management software, allows associations to create and manage their own custom event apps.
According to Jerry Huskins, CEO of Fonteva, associations increasingly rely on mobile apps in communicating and engaging with members. Creating a valuable mobile experience is not only a highly effective way to connect with members but also improve renewal rates and increase sponsor revenues.
The partnership provides an immediate benefit to Fonteva’s… more
Sep 04, 2019
Detroit’s Cobo Center has been officially renamed TCF Center. The new name follows a 22-year naming rights partnership between TCF National Bank, a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation, and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority.
DRCFA awarded naming rights to Chemical Bank — now a division of TCF Bank following its successful merger of equals on Aug.1 that transformed the two companies into TCF Financial Corporation — earlier this year following a competitive process.
The new name and signage were revealed on Aug. 27 by TCF Executive Chairman Gary Torgow, TCF President and… more
Sep 03, 2019
As Hurricane Dorian ambles its way toward the Southeastern United States, it’s wreaking more havoc on conferences and conventions. Show organizers are taking precautions to protect the safety of those traveling to events — as well as the teams helping to execute them locally — by canceling or postponing those scheduled this week.
In Orlando, Surf Expo and Imprinted Sportswear Show, both slated to take place Sept. 5-7 at Orange County Convention Center, have been canceled. Hotel reservations will be automatically cancelled (with no fees incurred) and attendees were notified via email.
“We… more
Aug 29, 2019
Hurricane Dorian whipped through Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands yesterday, bringing heavy rains and high winds. As a Category 1 storm, it spared much of the main island of Puerto Rico from extensive damage, though islands off the eastern coast were hit harder.
Dorian will continue on its path heading toward the coast of Florida over the weekend through Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting it may grow into a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through warm waters.
With Labor Day weekend upon us, it’s a relatively slow time for meetings and conventions, CVBs report. While poor for business,… more
Aug 29, 2019
The summer months have been anything but slow and leisurely when it comes to CSR activities in the trade show industry. Here’s a roundup of event companies, associations and venues that have beat the heat by giving back to those who need it most.
Las Vegas Market Raises Thousands to Fight AIDS
Las Vegas Market at World Market Center held another successful Up On the RoofGift for Life fundraiser that generated $16,000 for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.
At the ninth annual event, which took place July 29 during the Summer 2019 Las Vegas Market, a record crowd of approximately… more
Aug 28, 2019
Aria AV, a national full-service audiovisual company, launched a new Las Vegas warehouse earlier this month. Located at 4460 West Reno, the facility is near many of the city’s major event venues. In addition to its full range of AV equipment—including products like Be Matrix LED tiles, Samsung monitors and touchscreens, and Apple technology—Aria has debuted new items like quick-set kiosks, counters and chairs for events.
“For the last eight years, we have been traveling frequently to Las Vegas for events. Our enhanced production facilities in Vegas will allow us to further our goal [of… more
Aug 28, 2019
There’s nothing like hosting a big event to celebrate the expansion of a convention center, and that’s exactly what Kalahari Resorts and Conventions did earlier this month.
Following the completion of a $35 million expansion to its now 212,000 square feet of meeting space, Kalahari Wisconsin Dells hosted THAT Conference as the first event in the new space from Aug. 5-8.
The family-friendly, technology-focused conference — dubbed “Summer Camp for Geeks” — showed off Kalahari’s convention space and amenities to more than 1,700 attendees, spouses and children, who took part in more than 200… 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.