News
Oct 14, 2018
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) has purchased the printing trade show Graphics of the Americas (GOA) from the Florida Graphics Alliance (FGA) (formerly the Printing Association of Florida). Following a transition period, GOA will relaunch in February 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. SGIA acquired the show in August 2018.“GOA has a long history of bringing together an audience of exhibitors and attendees from North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. These markets, though distinctly different in many aspects, are vital players in the larger printing community,… more
Oct 12, 2018
Vision Expo West celebrated its 30thanniversary by achieving a nearly double-digit increase in attendance compared to the year before.
Held Sept. 26-29 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, the annual eyecare and eyewear conference and exhibition attracted 12,579 ophthalmic professionals from across the globe, a sizable increase compared to 2017, when 11,790 attended the event.
The show’s attendance increased in nearly every category, particularly in Opticians and Optometrists, as well as in Independent OD and MD practices, multidisciplinary practices, chains/superstores and laboratories,… more
Oct 11, 2018
The 16th edition of Tarsus Group’s biennial trade show, Labelexpo Americas, was the largest in its history.
A total of 487 exhibitors were spread across the biggest floorspace yet, at 203,642 square feet, with almost 30 percent of exhibitors new to this year’s show.
During the course of the three-day show, which took place Sept. 25-27 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, an increase in attendees to 16,413 from 86 countries passed through its doors.
The Latin America region was especially strongly represented, with a 95-percent increase on its 2016 show attendee total.… more
Oct 11, 2018
Convention Data Services (CDS) has launched Reg Stands, an all-in-one onsite self-check-in solution that allows show organizers to provide their attendees with a quick, easy and efficient way to check in at events.
These custom-designed, manufactured registration stations combine all onsite registration functionality into a single, self-contained touchscreen unit that includes a touchscreen, tablet/laptop, scanner and credit card swipe – replacing the countertop laptop, mouse, scanner and card swipe.
The layout of the units can be designed for various configurations, such as traditional… more
Oct 11, 2018
The Professional Convention Management Association(PCMA) has cast its votes for the next generation of professional business event leaders. PCMA’s newest class of “20 in their Twenties” represent a wide variety of regions, industries and organization types.
Honorees were selected from a pool of applicants by a committee comprised of veteran industry professionals and “20 in their Twenties” alumni. Application was limited to full-time employees in the business events industry who would be no older than 29 on Jan. 9, 2019 and examples of industry leadership, a video statement and professional… more
Oct 09, 2018
In January of this year, Meet AC unveiled a new virtual reality (VR) experience that enables event planners, brands and prospective visitors to experience everything Atlantic City’s convention scene and visitor experience has to offer from the comfort of their chairs. Now, once again in partnership with YouVisit, the CVB has released new upgrades to the VR platform to help provide an even more engaging and enhanced visitor experience of the ocean-front city.
New immersive features include new 360-degree guided tour stops that highlight all the fun leisure activities visitors and planners… more
Oct 09, 2018
More than two million pets and other live animals are transported by air every year in the U.S. While the U.S. Department of Transportation offers guidelines, each airline establishes its own company policy for the proper handling of the animals they transport.
In April 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act. Many airlines responded to this law by implementing restrictions on accepting pets as cargo. United Airlines is currently the only domestic airline that will cargo-transport brachycephalic, aka flat-faced, short-nosed dogs such as bulldogs and pugs who are… more
Oct 08, 2018
IBTM China 2018 closed on a high, with over 6,600 pre-planned meetings happening during the two day-long event, which took place from 12–13 September at China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing. Over 300 exhibitors from 20 countries were joined by more than 280 Hosted Buyers and 3,400 visitors for two days of meetings, networking and educational sessions.
“We are excited to be here this year. San Francisco is a very popular destination for Chinese tourists. We received over 500,000 visitors this year and we hope to grow this number next year. We do attend some other IBTM shows… more
Oct 08, 2018
Out of 901 events held in the first eight month of the year, 237 or 26 percent were new events choosing the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) for the first time.
From Jan. 1-Aug. 31, corporate meetings and banqueting events (corporate sales segment) recorded the biggest growth of the Centre’s business segments, with a jump of 161 events which was a 22% increase in comparison to the same period last year.
Elaborating on this, the Centre’s General Manager, Alan Pryor, shared, “We are pleased with our performance so far this year, especially in the corporate sales segment. This… more
Oct 08, 2018
Earlier this week, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) announced it acquired the rights and equity in AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) held by IEC Investments Limited, as well as the ownership of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited, for HK$900 million (US $115 million).
This deal reduces the shareholders of AWE to just two – the Hong Kong Government and AA.
At the same time, AsiaWorld-Expo CEO, Allen Ha left the organisation. He was immediately replaced with Irene Chan who was previously with the Airport Authority. Ha had been in the role of CEO for 11 years.
Chan has been with the AA since 2007.… 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.