News

Feb 06, 2013
The month of January signaled a continued positive trend in the trade show industry – several suppliers and show management companies added to their employee ranks. George Little Management named Craig Dooley to senior vice president and group show director, IR Events Group, effective Feb. 4. Working from GLM's downtown Chicago office, Dooley will report directly to GLM’s CEO Charles McCurdy. In this newly created role, Dooley will oversee the strategy, operations, and expansion – including conference development, sales, marketing, financial management, operations and… more
Feb 06, 2013
Global Experience Specialists was awarded a two-year contract for UBM Live’s 30-show European portfolio, and Experient scored a three-year, nine-show per year contract with the National Retail Federation. The GES contract includes CPhI Worldwide (collocated with ICSE, PMEC, Innopack), Protection & Management Series (including IFSEC, Facilities Show, Safety & Health Expo and Firex), MEDTEC Europe, Ecobuild and Fi Europe, to name a few. The Experient contract includes event registration, lead retrieval and CEU management services for shows such as NRF’s Retail’s BIG… more
Feb 05, 2013
In its latest report, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research updated a study first released 10 years ago that took a look at attempting to answer the age-old question on everyone’s minds: “What Attendees Want from Exhibitions.” The first part of the series of reports on this subject will focus on what attendees want from exhibitions and how well their needs are being met at events. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 22 possible reasons for attending, ranging from the seminars and speakers to finding a solution for an existing product. Two overall reasons for attending an… more
Feb 05, 2013
With the successful debut of Germany-based Deutsche Messe Ag’s INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION NORTH AMERICA alongside the International Manufacturing Technology Show in September at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the company has decided to try their luck again. In 2014, again collocated withthe Association for Manufacturing Technology's IMTS, Deutsche Messe will debut the U.S. edition of the Motion, Drive and Automation event. “The success of INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION NORTH AMERICA showed that the core competence from the HANNOVER MESSE portfolio perfectly complements the manufacturing… more
Feb 05, 2013
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ biennial AG Connect Expo & Summit not only nearly doubled its attendance, but it also set records for exhibit space, number of exhibitor and education tickets. The 2013 show attracted nearly 11,000 registrants, compared with 5,800 registrants in 2011. (The 2011 collocated American Farm Bureau Federation had an additional 5,500 registrants.) The 2013 event was held Jan. 29-31 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo. AG CONNECT Expo & Summit also had nearly 400 exhibitors and more than 220,000 net square feet of exhibit… more
Feb 04, 2013
Even though the launch of the show was announced just seven months ago, PMMI’s debut edition of EXPO PACK Guadalajara already has sold out when it’s set to run Feb. 27-March 1. “In December, we were happy to see 90 percent of the exhibit space was sold,” said Enrique Guzman, director of PMMI’s Latin America office. He added, “But now, less than a month later, we are even more pleased to report that 100 percent of available booth space is taken.” EXPO PACK Guadalajara 2013 will feature more than 300 exhibitors from 18 countries and cover more than 3,… more
Feb 04, 2013
The 2013 International Production & Processing Expo attracted more than 25,000 attendees Jan. 29-Jan. 31 to the Georgia World Congress Center, exceeding the goal established by the three associations that run the show, according to show management. In addition, IPPE had 1,189 exhibitors with more than 430,000 net square feet of exhibit space. The show was sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the American Feed Industry Association and the American Meat Institute. "We are extremely pleased with the number of exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor for IPPE,… more
Feb 03, 2013
Phoenix-based Viad – Global Experience Specialist’s parent company – reached $1 billion in revenue for 2012, an increase of $82.9 million, or 8.8 percent from 2011, although full-year earnings dropped from $8.8 million in 2011 to $5.3 million in 2012. “We achieved strong growth in 2012, hitting more than $1 billion in revenue,” said ,” said Paul B. Dykstra, Viad’s chairman, president and CEO. He added, “Both business units delivered solid results consistent with guidance for the year.” The Marketing & Events Group performed well, with… more
Feb 02, 2013
Social media is all the buzz right now, and if you want to reach the masses relatively inexpensively then you should be using social media. However, it is easy to become overwhelmed with questions like “what do I say”, “what should we post today?”, “what if someone says something negative?”, ”how many people liked us, retweeted or shared our content?”.  If this seems familiar to you, take a step back and remind yourself of the opportunity in front of you to talk one-on-one with your fans, customers and prospects. Social Media offers you a… more
Feb 02, 2013
Digital events no longer are something that event planners are worried will replace their live events. Instead, digital events are becoming an important part of an organization’s strategy to extend the life of their three-day physical event to something that can be available 365 days a year. With the increased demand in holding digital events, there’s also a need for qualified professionals to produce them. To that end, the Virtual Edge Institute is the only entity that currently offers a certification program for lDigital Event Strategists and at the recent Professional… 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.