News
Aug 14, 2019
Everyone who works within the trade show and meetings industry recognizes the value that events — and all the individuals involved with helping to make them successful — bring to the table. But sometimes, those outside the industry don’t understand this quite as well. To remedy that, Event Service Professionals Association has launched a guide that showcases the expertise that event service professionals provide.
Consider “ROI of the Event Service Professional: ESPA’s Guide to Showcasing the Impact and Value of Event Service” the latest tool in your arsenal for demonstrating the value of, as… more
Aug 14, 2019
Center for Exhibition Industry Research has released two new reports focused on the trade show industry’s latest best practices.
A must-read for first-time exhibitors looking to better understand material handling, Unraveling the Myths About Material Handling provides a comprehensive overview of what material handling is, along with details about what expenses and factors impact charges. It also shares advice on how to plan and send shipments cost-effectively.
Written by Aaron Bludworth, president and CEO of Fern (with contributions by Neil McMullin, senior vice president of Shared Services… more
Aug 13, 2019
AI-powered meeting automation platform SummitSync has teamed up with Conversica, creator of conversational AI Assistants for business. The goal of this partnership is to help mutual customers maximize event ROI by driving more pre-show meetings and post-event follow-ups.
By pairing SummitSync’s conference and trade show intelligence with Conversica’s AI Assistant automated lead engagement, event marketers and sales teams can take advantage of streamlined software automation to more efficiently find, book and manage sales meetings at events. The joint platform automatically syncs details with… more
Aug 13, 2019
International Association of Exhibitions and Events has released an update to its Guidelines for Display Rules and Regulations. The guidelines are designed to promote continuity and consistency among U.S. exhibitions and events.
IAEE recommends that event organizers use the guidelines to create consistent and fair exhibiting standards based on the individual features of their specific exhibition or event. Show managers also often include a copy in exhibitor kits or prospectuses as a helpful reference tool for event managers responsible for booth design.
IAEE display guidelines include… more
Aug 12, 2019
In an industry known for producing a substantial amount of waste, some trade shows are working to turn the tides by gradually adopting practices to reduce their environmental impact. Then there are other shows, such as Natural Products Expo East and West — the world’s largest natural products trade shows — that have been quietly driving the event sustainability movement long before “green” became a buzzword.
Held biannually at the Anaheim and Baltimore convention centers (NPE East will be moving to Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia in 2020), the NPE shows have incorporated… more
Aug 08, 2019
“Saving the Planet” or “Going Green” may seem like just lip service at times, but the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association knocked it out of the park at their recent show featuring several home run efforts.
As a result, IDDBA will be presented with the TSNN Best of Sustainability Award, sponsored exclusively by GES, at the 2019 TSNN Awards Nov. 15-17 in Dallas.
“IDDBA is honored to be recognized by the industry and TSNN for our continued sustainability efforts. This is the culmination of planning and hard work by countless staff, exhibitors, board members and partners like GES”,… more
Aug 08, 2019
The 2019 annual convention for Destinations International, held July 23-25 at America’s Convention Center Complex in downtown St. Louis, was a success by all accounts. This year’s event featured several new elements, including The Exchange—a stage that featured a rotating schedule of 15-minute sessions covering topics such as tech and data, leadership and management, social media and more.
“Evolve and Elevate” was the theme of the conference, and throughout the program, leaders from DI as well as Destinations International Foundation celebrated those who have demonstrated their commitment… more
Aug 07, 2019
Facility leadership and showfloor trade partners of Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia have signed a five-year extension and amendment of its 10-year labor agreement. The contract builds on the competitive work rules and expanded exhibitor rights initially put in place in 2014.
Known as the Customer Satisfaction Agreement, the extended labor agreement, which went into effect Aug. 1, allows exhibitors to setup and teardown their own booths without limitations on booth size. This marks a significant shift from the facility’s previous practice, which limited exhibitors to… more
Aug 06, 2019
Summer may be the season for out-of-office notifications and slower days, but not so in the trade show industry. Catch up on the latest flurry of hires and promotions the last month, from shows to destination marketing organizations.
National Shooting Sports Foundation has appointed Kenneth G. Andres as senior director of sales. He joined the organization in late June with a wealth of experience in trade shows, including senior management roles with American Sportfishing Association and Freeman. Andres will replace trade show veteran Dave Jeannette, who will retire on Sept. 1 after 26 shows… more
Aug 06, 2019
Socio has added two new products to its event management platform and has raised $6 million in Series A funding.
Like the Socio Event App, Socio Lead Retrieval and Socio Live Display focus primarily on the in-event experience. According to Socio officials, these new offerings align with Co-founder and CEO Yarkin Sakucoglu’s vision of Socio becoming “the only software event organizers need throughout the lifecycle of their events.”
“The average B2B company spends around 22 percent of its marketing budget on events,” said Sakucoglu. “When done right, events are the most powerful source of… 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.