Sep 10, 2015
In just a few days, C-level trade show organizers, suppliers to the industry, financial experts, invest banking firms and media will gather Sept. 16-17 in Chicago for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s (CEIR) Predict – Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference. The past couple of years, the conference typically was broken up into experts talking about specific market sectors, but this year, led by Britton Jones, president and CEO of Business Journals Inc. and CEIR’s board chairman, the program has been redesigned. “We are very excited about our 2015 program. We took a deep dive… more
Sep 09, 2015
ibtm events (www.ibtmevents.com), an event that brings together hosted buyers and  suppliers for the meetings and events industry, has confirmed that Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau is to become the official ibtm events Global Partner across its portfolio of events on five continents.   As a result of the partnership, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau will benefit from global visibility, access to business and a powerful network of connections to support their positioning as a leading destination for meetings, conventions, incentives and events.   The… more
Sep 09, 2015
The inaugural China Homelife and China Machinex shows recently kicked off in South Africa.  Chairman of Meorient International Exhibition, Eric Pan, welcomed all Chinese exhibitors and Southern African buyers to the inaugural shows saying, “Meorient International Exhibition is thrilled to be bringing the shows to South African soil for the first time.” He added, :Fairs such as China Homelife and China Machinex create opportunity for buyers to source quality products directly from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers, further increasing trade between South Africa and China.” The two… more
Sep 09, 2015
Asia’s fair for the home textiles industry recently was held, with new records set for exhibitor, visitor and exhibition space figures. More than 43,000 trade buyers (2014: 43,189) attended Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2015, which was held for the first time at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) across 170,520 square meters (2014: 150,400). The 1,402 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions (2014: 1,334) that took part was also a new high point in the fair’s 21-year history. “We’re delighted that our first edition in this new venue was such a… more
Sep 09, 2015
As a key part of the German Convention Bureau’s (GCB) already announced plans to step up its efforts in the international meetings market and specifically in China, the GCB has appointed Henghong Yang to head its new Beijing office, which opened Sept. 1. "Our new team member Mr. Yang brings just the experience we need to solidify our marketing and relationship development work in China. The Chinese market holds great promise and we are delighted to have the office up and running under Mr. Yang’s leadership," added Matthias Schultze, managing director of the GCB. This new China office joins as… more
Sep 08, 2015
The off-price industry is enjoying a heyday in which more national retailers are turning to the channel looking for a boost, and the OFFPRICE Show in Las Vegas remains a vital place to go for stores of all sizes from across the country. This year’s summer show, held in August at the Sands Expo & Convention Center during Las Vegas Fashion Week, not only saw an uptick in attendance, but also in net square footage. The footprint of the showfloor increased from 131,000 net square feet last year to 135,300 net sq. ft.  at this year’s event.   “It was my first time to OFFPRICE and won… more
Sep 01, 2015
Once a year, National Retail Federation staff members and key stakeholders gather together and brainstorm on how they can not only solve challenges they have with their trade shows – Retail’s BIG Show and Shop.org Annual Summit, but also talk about how to make them a more personal experience for attendees. They call the sessions “Blue Sky Meetings”, according to Eric Olsen, NRF’s vice president of education strategies, at which they discuss “anything under the blue sky you could think of” in regards to improving the shows. “We get an agenda beforehand, so that we’re prepared on what the goals… more
Sep 01, 2015
The Professional Convention Management Association Nominating Committee, chaired by Johnnie White, 2014 past Chair of the Board, met Aug. 20 in Chicago and reviewed, in detail, a number of nominee applications for the 2016 open board officers and directions positions.  After careful due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2016 PCMA Board of Directors. According to the PCMA Bylaws, this official announcement of the proposed slate is to be sent to the membership by Oct. 1. The nominating process, according to… more
Sep 01, 2015
U.K.-based Clarion Events, with more than 200 events in 35 countries, has become a majority partner in Kennesaw, Ga.-based Urban Expositions, which has a portfolio of 37 events serving nine industry sectors. "We are thrilled to partner with such a well-established, international event organizer as Clarion," said Doug Miller, president and CEO, Urban Expositions. He added, "We look forward to working closely with the Clarion team to start a whole new chapter for our respective companies. Clarion's forward-thinking leadership, proven experience and extensive resources will allow us to build… more
Sep 01, 2015
After a big increase in the first quarter of this year, the performance of the business-to-business trade show industry, as measured by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Total Index, remained relatively strong during the second quarter of 2015, posting a year-on-year gain of 3.8 percent. This growth is the second highest rate since the second quarter of 2007 and also marked the 20th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. "The second-quarter results are very promising,” said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting Associates. He added… 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.