Mar 30, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives expects nearly 5,500 nonprofit and association professionals to come together Aug. 8-11 for the 2015 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, which will be held at Detroit’s newly renovated Cobo Center. How can associations harness fresh approaches to all aspects of their work? Opening general speaker Josh Linkner, a business leader, venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur and author, will discuss a systematic process he discovered that increases creativity and produces results. At the opening keynote, attendees will walk away with practical… more
Mar 30, 2015
USITT 2015 broke all previous attendance records, attracting nearly 5,500 people to Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Center last week for the backstage industry’s annual event. More than 280 exhibitors were at booths with state-of-the-art entertainment products for the largest Stage Expo ever – and 170-plus already have signed on for USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City. “So many people told us this was their best conference experience ever,” said USITT Executive Director David Grindle. He added, “We are very proud to be known for a show that shines in quality, excitement, and customer service.” USITT 2015… more
Mar 26, 2015
Meetings Mean Business, a coalition formed in 2009 to spread the word about the value that business meetings, travel and events bring to the U.S. economy, recently conducted a survey of 100 federal employees who organize, attend or influence meetings and travel as part of their jobs. Even with the pressures on government travel to meetings, a whopping 98 percent of the respondents said that in-person meetings are important for advancing their agency’s mission. Ninety-two percent said that engaging with colleagues, peers, partners and vendors face-to-face improves their ability to work… more
Mar 26, 2015
After making its home in Chicago for a long time, Graph Expo will be moving to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando in 2016 for the first time. The show, owned by the Graphic Arts Show Company, will be held Sept. 25-28. "We are delighted to be bringing GRAPH EXPO to Orlando in 2016," said GASC President Ralph Nappi.  He added, “Not only did Visit Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center superbly represent just how ideal a destination Orlando would be for our show’s date and size requirements, they also convinced us with the momentum behind Orlando's… more
Mar 25, 2015
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies has teamed up with Germany-based Koelnmesse GmbH to launch a U.S.-based trade show focusing on processing and packaging technologies for the food and beverage marketplace. PMMI produces the PACK EXPO series of shows and Koelnmesse GmbH produces the Cologne-based Anuga FoodTec, the international supplier fair for the food and beverage industry. "Koelnmesse, and its Anuga FoodTec show are world leaders in food and beverage processing," said Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. "With shows dating back nearly 100 years, the… more
Mar 24, 2015
The NPE2015: International Plastics Showcase, which was held March 23-27 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, was not only the largest in its 69-year history, but also drew the highest attendance ever, especially from overseas. SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, which owns the show, projected the number of exhibitors to match and possibly exceed the record of 2,009 set at NPE2000 and attendance likely reached 60,000, well above the total for the successful 2012 show. The amount of exhibit space taken exceeded the previous record set at NPE2000 and was expected to… more
Mar 24, 2015
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has launched a Professional Development Grant aimed at growing the next generation of local meetings industry leaders. The grant will provide three young local association executives the opportunity to attend the  ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congress 2016, which will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, to engage with leading international industry professionals and expand their knowledge and capabilities in association management at the same time,  familiarise themselves with the global meetings industry and the… more
Mar 24, 2015
Last year, children from the Palabra Viva church in Las Vegas drew pictures of their dream playground, and this week, hundreds of orthopaedic surgeons and other volunteers attending the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) 2015 Annual Meeting joined forces with KaBOOM! and members of the community to bring those designs to life. Since 2000, the Academy has sponsored a one-day Safe and Accessible Playground Build as a gift to the AAOS Annual Meeting host community. This will be the Academy’s 16th playground build and the second in the Las Vegas area.   “The Safe and… more
Mar 24, 2015
Nat Wong, current president of Reed Exhibitions Greater China, will be succeeded April 16 by Hu Wei. Wei came on board March 16 to understudy Womng and be orientated to the business. “We owe a lot to Nat for his contributions,” aaid Paul Beh, regional president of Reed Exhibitions Asia-Pacific. He added, “Over this period of time, he has been instrumental in growing the business and we have seen RXGC scaling greater heights with expansion into new markets through acquisitions and launches of which I am fully appreciative and proud of.” Describing his tenure in RXGC, Wong said, “My time at… more
Mar 24, 2015
More than 300 delegates from 21 countries and territories broke attendance records when they gathered recently in Hong Kong for UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibitions Industry’s 10th Open Seminar in Asia. This year, the seminar returned to Hong Kong, which also hosted the inaugural edition in 2006. The seminar was co-hosted by both the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and it was held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Speakers at this year’s seminar included a number of industry veterans… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.