News
Mar 18, 2012
In the final months of last year and since the beginning of this year, one show after another has either shattered previous all-time attendance records or had impressive increases, compared with 2011 events in sectors as wide-ranging as meetings, golf, digital signage, natural products and crafting.
Reed Exhibitions’ EIBTM, a global event for the meetings, events and incentives industry held in December in Barcelona, had record-breaking attendance, following the official results of theshow's ABC Audit – confirming it as the largest audited exhibition in the meetings sector,… more
Mar 18, 2012
In support of The Power of A Week and American Associations Day, the American Society of Association Executive’s annual legislative fly-in, the organization released its “Associations Matter” study.
The study indicated associations have a “profound, measurable economic and social impact on the nation,” according to ASAE officials.
The “Associations Matter” study primarily relies on U.S. government statistics and tax-exempt returns (Form 990s) to measure the economic and social benefits derived from association activities.
These statistics mainly focus on employment, wages, revenues and assets… more
Mar 17, 2012
David Allen’s 2001 bestselling book, “Getting Things Done” launched a time management movement around the world. His tips on living in stress-free productivity have engrossed millions of people to embrace his system (or dozens of others) and get focused on efficiency. Most of us are easily distracted by all the stuff in our lives and it is hard to be focused on the tasks we are working on in the moment.
When we attend a conference, trade show, convention or other business gathering our lack of efficiency can become a double-sized problem. In addition to… more
Mar 16, 2012
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo (HPBExpo) 2012, which was held March 1-3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, was up in not only total attendance and buyers but also number of exhibiting companies and new special events, compared with last year’s show.
Total registration was 14 percent higher, the number of exhibiting companies increased 10 percent and the number of net square feet of exhibits was up five percent, compared with the 2011 show held in Salt Lake City.
“Atlanta is a great location for the HPBExpo,” said Jack Goldman,… more
Mar 16, 2012
The World of Asphalt and AGG1 2012 shows produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers rode the wave of good news several other shows have experienced since the start of the year, breaking attendance records, as well as amount of exhibit space sold, number of exhibitors and number of education session tickets sold.
"Attendees and their companies understand the importance of learning and networking to stay sharp and take advantage of a recovering economy,” said Show Director Melissa Magestro.
She added, “They know that the industry connections at World… more
Mar 14, 2012
The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s 127th annual meeting was meant to kick off March 13-17 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, but most of the event now has been canceled after a nearby electrical transformer fire knocked out power to the building on the event’s opening day.
The power outage not only impacted the meeting in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood, but also more than 20,000 residences and several surrounding businesses, including the Hilton, Westin and Sheraton hotels.
When the power was still out the morning of March… more
Mar 12, 2012
Nearly 11 years after a group of private equity investors led by Chicago-based Frontenac Company bought event marketing company Nth Degree from its original owners, another private equity firm, Gen Cap America, has stepped in to buy the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Gen Cap America is based in Nashville, Tenn., and specializes in acquisitions and recapitalizations of middle market businesses.
“The face-to-face marketing industry continues to play an important role in the business-to-business marketing mix, enabling companies to interact with prospects and customers in… more
Mar 12, 2012
For nearly 20 years, Dorothy Belshaw has worked for George Little Management, most recently as vice president and show director of the New York International Gift Fair, but now she’s taken a new position as president of the International Market Centers’ Gift Division.
"I am very pleased to have a true industry leader and professional join our executive team. Dorothy brings the leadership and experience to accelerate the growth of our Gift+Home show in Las Vegas,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers.
He added, “As a recognized and proven… more
Mar 10, 2012
From all the smiling faces seen at EXHIBITOR Show, one might be fooled into thinking happy days are here again for the face-to-face marketing industry. Although that might be jumping the gun slightly, things are indeed looking up, according to participants at the 25th annual conference and exhibition for exhibit and corporate event marketing professionals.
Held March 4-8 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the lively event boasted its second year of growth since the downturn, with approximately 6,011 attendees and 272 exhibitors covering 59,500 square feet of exhibition space, according… more
Mar 07, 2012
The BlogWorld & New Media Expo, billed as the ‘world’s largest new media conference and trade show’, expanded its reach with the purchase of Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX), a travel blogging conference.
This year’s TBEX is set to take place June 15-17 at the Keystone Resort & Convention Center in Keystone in Colorado.
TBEX is a gathering of travel bloggers that allows them to meet each other and learn more about the art of travel writing, as well as blogging as a business, cross connecting on other platforms and locating new audiences and vendors for their blogs… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.