News

Jul 30, 2024
Global B2B event organizer Informa Markets and The Build Show, a digital media brand for the residential construction industry with more than 1.7 million subscribers, have joined forces to launch Build Show LIVE, a B2B residential construction event designed for custom home builders, specialty contractors, remodelers, and architects.  The debut event is expected to attract approximately 150 exhibitors and 3,000 attendees, according to officials from Informa Markets, which boasts more than 450 brands in its event portfolio.  Set to kick off Nov. 7-9 at the Austin Convention Center in Texas,… more
Jul 29, 2024
In its first acquisition under new private-equity ownership, London, UK-based Hyve Group, whose flagship events include Shoptalk, Fintech Meetup and Bett, bought POSSIBLE, a two-year old brand marketing event. The acquisition, announced on July 26, sees Hyve enter a new market sector and further cements its presence in the U.S., following the launch of its U.S. headquarters in New York City last year.  “I am in awe of what the team has achieved in just two years, and I am encouraged by the incredible advocacy for POSSIBLE from the marketing community,” said Hyve CEO Mark Shashoua. “All of us… more
Jul 26, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies. Effective engagement is the cornerstone of a successful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Transparent and clear communication keeps your stakeholders informed, encourages participation, and evaluates progress to ensure that milestones are met. Let’s delve into why engaging with stakeholders matters to your sustainability strategy and how it directly impacts your bottom line. Who should you engage with? The best communication targets different stakeholder groups with custom outreach. Your engagement should be reactive to the… more
Jul 26, 2024
Ask Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta about her path into the destination marketing industry, and she will share that she has always been interested in the power of connection in bringing people together, particularly those who may otherwise have different goals and business objectives.  A California girl through and through, Beteta grew up and went to school in the southern part of the Golden State, graduating from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in political science, earning her masters in public administration, and completing the Stanford University Graduate School of… more
Jul 24, 2024
With half-year revenues hitting $2.14 billion, Informa is riding a wave of growth. The B2B events and digital services giant reported impressive half-year results for 2024, boasting an 18.8% increase in underlying operating profit, an 11% revenue boost, and a 10% hike in dividends. Informa has now upped its full-year guidance, targeting an adjusted operating profit of up to $1.29 billion. "Informa is kicking off 2024 with the same momentum we saw at the end of 2023. We're growing, expanding internationally, and continuously developing our portfolio, which gives us increasing confidence in… more
Jul 24, 2024
Trade show exhibitors now have an AI-powered solution to help them solve the common challenge of forgetting or losing vital lead information gathered during trade shows, conferences, and other business events. Enter Backtrack, a retroactive audio recording mobile app created specifically for exhibitor booths by parent company Yac, developer of an asynchronous voice messaging platform for remote teams.  Designed to transform the way exhibiting professionals capture and recall crucial business interactions, the new app helps users accurately summarize and pull-out action items from… more
Jul 23, 2024
Ahead of this week’s opening of Comic-Con, the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) unveiled the show’s limited-edition craft chocolate bars that will be available for purchase when the show opens at 6 p.m. PT on Wed., July 24.  The country’s longest-running event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, TV, gaming and interactive multimedia, runs through Sun., Jul 28.  With a robust program of speakers, exhibits, films, and games, Comic-Con attracts more than 135,000 attendees, creating a regional economic impact of more than $160 million and tax revenues of more than… more
Jul 22, 2024
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) got the green light to move forward with its Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project, which is now expected to move forward in the spring of 2025. On July 2, the Los Angeles City Council voted to advance the project, which is expected to create thousands of jobs for city residents, attract visitors, and bring new revenue to the City’s General Fund, according to LACC officials. Plans include new construction that will connect the LACC’s two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one… more
Jul 19, 2024
One of the fastest-growing segments of the trade show industry in 2024: international attendance and exhibitors. In fact, international travel to the U.S. is growing quickly, with volume expected to reach 98% of 2019 levels in 2024 (up from 84% recovered in 2023), according to the most recent data from U.S. Travel Association (USTA). After international participation in U.S. trade shows flat-lined during COVID, event organizers, like Money20/20 and Plant Based World Expo, are capitalizing on the rebound by investing in attracting foreign companies to their U.S. events with international… more
Jul 18, 2024
PCMA and the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE) are gearing up to launch Convene 4 Climate, a sustainability conference for the global business events industry. Set for Oct. 2-3 in Barcelona, the inaugural gathering is open to select participation in a workshop-based environment and aims to drive responsibility, harness the power of technology, and deliver transformative solutions to address climate change challenges.  The big picture: Convene 4 Climate’s curated programming will explore three central themes–Reimagine, Inspire, and Movement–and allow for… 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.