News
Jun 05, 2019
Does your salary reflect what you think you’re worth? If you’re like most trade show organizers, the answer is probably no (more on that below); yet the forecast for our industry in this area is looking at least partially sunny.
Nearly 75 percent of business events organizers received a raise over the past year, averaging a 7-percent increase, according to PCMA’s annual Salary Survey, released this week.
While that 7-percent increase is more than twice the average raise for North American workers across all industries, only half of the 550 respondents in PCMA’s survey reported satisfaction… more
Jun 04, 2019
“Hey Alexa, what’s next in new technologies designed to support the exhibition industry?”
That’s the question Freeman poses in its winning submission for the annual UFI Digital Innovation Award. The award, which recognizes new technologies designed to support the exhibition industry, was captured by Freeman for its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot services.
“Innovation comes from a lot of different places,” says Wilson Tang, who was recently promoted to the role of vice president of innovation for Freeman. The idea for an Amazon Alexa-powered event chat activation originated with a… more
Jun 04, 2019
The 2019 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum drew 220 association and for-profit industry leaders to Washington, D.C. last week. This year’s event centered around one major theme: the increasing need for event organizers to seek out new ways to convert growth strategies into reality.
After a lively cocktail reception the night before, ECEF kicked off early on May 29 with Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, presenting a report titled “5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes: 2019 ECEF Pulse Summary” based on survey questions sent out before the event.
“We are in a level period,”… more
Jun 04, 2019
Tarsus Group and Association for PRINT Technologies are collectively launching a new event called Brand Print Americas, which will take place in lieu of PRINT 2020. The show is being planned for Sept. 15-17 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, and will be co-located with the 2020 edition of Labelexpo Americas, the second-largest Labelexpo event after Labelexpo Europe.
We are delighted to collaborate with the Association for PRINT Technologies on the first Brand Print Americas,” said Lisa Milburn, managing director for Labelexpo Global Series and Brand Print. “By… more
May 30, 2019
We've all been there — only a few hours into a looong trade show day, and your feet are already aching. When your feet hurt, it can truly be difficult to think about anything else. Yet aside from kicking off your professional shoes in favor of your old Nikes, what can you do to ensure your feet will be comfortable and presentable for the entire day?
Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist based in New York and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, says you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. She recommends brands like Vionic, which offers a wide range of colors,… more
May 30, 2019
Naylor Association Solutions, a North American association software, communications, events and management services provider, has acquired TechMedia, a producer of digital marketing conferences in the United States.
The addition of these conferences will bolster Naylor’s portfolio of custom member communications, event management, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and association management services, according to Naylor officials.
“Adding the TechMedia conference business to the Naylor portfolio not only expands and diversifies our event portfolio, it will [also] provide the association market… more
May 29, 2019
When Brad Dean, previously president and CEO of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly two decades, had the opportunity to take the reins as CEO of the newly formed Discover Puerto Rico in May 2018, it seemed to be the perfect fit. After all, his wife was from the island; he knew the area somewhat well; and he’s never been one to shy away from a challenge — which was important, because he certainly had his work cut out for him.
We caught up with Dean, who just received the 2019 Destinations International Destination Organization Leadership Award, to learn about the progress he’s… more
May 29, 2019
Digital invitation platform Evite has launched Evite Pro, a new custom platform designed to simplify and streamline the event planning and execution process for professional event organizers.
Evite Pro allows planners to manage the entirety of an event, including designing and sending invitations, tracking attendee status, managing ongoing guest communications, and accessing event analytics including deliverability and RSVP rate with real-time data.
Geared to meet the needs of small- to mid-size companies, the new platform allows planners to invite up to 2,500 guests per event, see who has… more
May 28, 2019
You know that incorporating corporate social responsibility activities during your events can be a win-win all around – for your attendees, charities in destinations that host your events, the destinations themselves, and of course, your organization. Yet you might be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.
While incorporating CSR can seem daunting, there are more resources than ever available to support planners in this process. To help inspire you to take that next step, Tammi Runzler, co-founder of CSRConnections, a corporate social responsibility company that helps match up… more
May 24, 2019
Tarsus Group, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, has received an offer and reached agreement with Charterhouse Capital Partners, a U.K. based private equity firm that previously owned Paris-based exhibitions company Comexposium.
Under the offer, Tarsus shareholders will receive 425 pence in cash per share plus the final dividend for 2018 of 7.7p per share, subject to its approval by shareholders at the upcoming AGM.
Commenting on the acquisition, Neville Buch, Tarsus’s Chairman, said:
"I am delighted to announce that the Independent Tarsus Directors have reached… 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.