Viad Corp, a public company, has entered into a definitive agreement with private Los Angeles-based private equity firm Truelink Capital to acquire GES, a global exhibition and event industry services provider, for $535 million.
The acquisition encompasses GES Exhibitions, a provider of global exhibition and logistics services; global experiential agency Spiro; and onPeak, SHOWTECH, and Visit, which provide event housing, power/lighting, and registration services, respectively.
Upon the transaction’s completion by Dec. 31, 2024, pending regulatory approvals, due diligence, and other… more
News
Oct 21, 2024
Sustainability took center stage at Javits Center during Climate Week NYC, which was held Sept. 22-29. Climate Week NYC takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York.
Launched in 2019 as part of Climate Week NYC, the Nest Climate Campus returned Sept. 24-26 to Javits and featured a one-day Sustainable Events Summit (SES), an invitation-only think-tank style meeting produced by MAD Event Management that was launched to help event organizers and suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050.… more
Oct 18, 2024
ConferenceDirect's voyage towards producing a carbon-neutral event wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. "This journey started four years ago when we committed to a 30% reduction by 2030," said Larry Hanson, chief marketing and sustainability officer for ConferenceDirect, a meeting and event management firm that manages more than 1,000 conferences globally.
The increasing demand from corporate clients to address sustainability in RFPs and his personal commitment to sustainability propelled the company to develop a dedicated team of Events Industry Council (EIC)-certified sustainable event… more
Oct 17, 2024
Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers. Set for December 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, Calif., the intimate event is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and will explore key topics facing all three segments of the trade show and business events industry.
Last year, ACCESS 2023 attracted 325 attendees to the Hyatt Coconut Point in… more
Oct 16, 2024
In December 2023, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) unveiled a feature at its Expo! Expo! annual show that could benefit event organizers as well as exhibitors: facial analysis of attendees.
Developed by technology firm Zenus AI, the system of sensors and cameras was set up in Expo! Expo! educational theaters and activation areas to collect anonymous data on attendees’ engagement—their dwell time, facial expressions, and energy levels. The data that’s gathered is far below the threshold needed to identify a person, and the data is aggregated in order to find… more
Oct 15, 2024
The 13th edition of IMEX America is a wrap. The booths and signage have come down at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and the show's record-setting 15,500 participants, including more than 5,500 buyers, have headed home. Now comes the work of maintaining the connections and acting on the education and experiences delivered at the October 8-10 event.
Here are four ideas and two trends from IMEX America that focus on thinking a bit differently about event planning.
Great Idea: Hands-On A.I.
“Wow,” “Oh my goodness!,” and spontaneous clapping: Those were some of the audience reactions during the… more
Oct 14, 2024
The UFI Americas Conference, held Sept. 10-12 at Cintermex, brought together 170 exhibition industry leaders from across North, Central, and South America for a landmark event in Monterrey, Mexico. This union marked a significant milestone as it was the first occasion where UFI members and industry experts from these regions were brought together under one event.
TSNN's Danica Tormohlen sat down with Martha Donato, regional director of UFI North America, to delve into the event's highlights, challenges, and future prospects.
Read six takeaways from our conversation and watch or live to the… more
Oct 11, 2024
September was another busy month for the trade show industry, especially among industry suppliers, with organizations across the U.S. welcoming new leadership, promoting hard-working staff, and naming seasoned professionals to executive teams.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in September: Jennifer LeMaster assumed the helm of the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) as its new president and CEO on September 16. As the first female CEO in the venue’s 36-year history, she replaced Jeff Blosser, who retired earlier this year.
The big picture: LeMaster joins the SCC from the Georgia World… more
Oct 10, 2024
In September, Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy told workers they must come into the office five days a week starting in January.
This announcement by the tech giant that employs more than 1 million comes on the heels of new data that reveals a majority (83%) of CEOs surveyed globally predict that companies will shift to require a “full” return of employees to in-office work in the next three years, an increase from 64% the prior year. This is according to global tax, audit and advisory services firm KPMG, which reported on the findings of a survey of 1,300 chief executives conducted in July and… more
Oct 09, 2024
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.
Several key events in destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami have already been canceled or rescheduled, dealing a blow to an industry that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. As Florida braces for what could be its strongest… 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.