News
Dec 10, 2018
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association Extended its management agreement with Augusta Group Management through 2023.
“The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is pleased to extend the management agreement with Augusta Group Management (AGM). Executive Director Larry Arnaudet and his team have proven value year after year with membership growth and support as well as executing the most successful conferences in the association’s history, said Rich Curran, ESCA president.
He added, “We have been extremely happy with the success of the Worker Identification… more
Dec 07, 2018
Emerald Expositions has canceled next year’s Interbike International Expo that was scheduled to run Sept. 18-20 in Reno, Nev.
Instead, the company says it will research alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the opportunity to launch events featuring bicycling and bike-related components within or alongside its various multi-sport trade show franchises.
“The past four years have been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions’ Sports Group.
He added, “The substantial increase in tariffs on bike related imports… more
Dec 07, 2018
It’s no wonder that Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition is considered the “show for shows.”
This annual trade show for trade show professionals draws in upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals – 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers – to engage with one another, learn about the latest industry trends and technology, and push the events industry forward.
Taking place Dec. 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, the event offers a plethora of cutting-edge education (a whopping 142 education sessions on and off the showfloor!); 289… more
Dec 06, 2018
Despite uncertainty on where U.S. trade negotiations stand with China, coupled with an unstable stock market and the global economy slowing down overall, the latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reports that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the third quarter of 2018.
Performance of the industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a modest year-over-year gain of 1 percent, although it underperformed the macroeconomy.
While the performance during the third quarter was weaker than the first two quarters of the year, it was a significant… more
Dec 06, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will feature a series of emerging technology solution use cases at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, taking place Dec. 11-13 in New Orleans.
Already proven in the exhibitions and events marketplace, these Tech Use Cases are designed to give exhibition and event producers an opportunity to explore a wide range of solutions to answer the challenges they face in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape that is the exhibitions and events industry.
IAEE’s Technologies Committee comprises technology domain experts… more
Dec 04, 2018
By Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO
2018 has become a memorable year for the exhibition and business events industry around the world – with much of the attention on M&A, on changing event formats or “festivalisation”, and on a changing global landscape.
As every year, the UFI team has used our association’s Global Congress as well as many separate conversations all around the world to isolate and identify the core themes that we feel will impact the global exhibition industry in 2019. So today, let me share with you “UFI’s 5 trends to watch in 2019”:
Shifting trade patterns and a jittery… more
Dec 04, 2018
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with Balluun, has launched CONEXPO Connect, an online B2B marketplace serving the global construction industry.
The new platform was unveiled at the AEM Annual Conference, held Nov. 28-30 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca.
Powered by Balluun’s digital market network solution, CONEXPO Connect is an online destination that allows equipment manufacturers and contractors to connect and engage 24/7, 365 days a year.
By bringing the most valuable parts of AEM’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show online, CONEXPO Connect… more
Dec 04, 2018
Speak with Tammi Runzler for just a few minutes and it’s obvious she’s one of those special individuals with a deep passion for making a difference. A 30-year veteran of the meetings, events and destination marketing industries, Runzler recently co-founded CSRconnections, a corporate social responsibility program planning company that connects organizations with customized CSR opportunities designed to engage attendees while positively impacting the destinations that host their events.
As an enthusiastic proponent of CSR at events, I was excited to sit down with Runzler to hear about her… more
Dec 04, 2018
Diversified Communications has added Digital Construction Week to its building, construction and technology portfolio of events.
Known as the U.K.’s leading trade show dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing and operation, Digital Construction Week complements Diversified’s event portfolio with market reach across four countries, including GEO Business in London; Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Amsterdam; DesignBUILD in Sydney and in the U.S.: AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference and SPAR 3D in Anaheim, CA; International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver and… more
Dec 03, 2018
U.K.-based Tarsus Group has promoted Tarsus Media President Rachel Wimberly to EVP of Business Development, Tarsus US.
As part of her new role, Wimberly will oversee mergers and acquisitions in the Tarsus U.S. trade show division.
“Tarsus has expanded rapidly in the Americas in the last few years with the addition of connect, EJ Krause Mexico, Expo Restaurante and ETourism,” said Tarsus Group Managing Director Douglas Emslie.
He added, “We have plans to continue to add to Tarsus’s largest geographic division and have appointed Rachel Wimberly to lead the charge. As well as continuing as… 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.