News
Jan 21, 2025
Two trade show industry organizations announced key launches and initiatives recently.
ESCA Gears Up for New Leadership Summit
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is gearing up to launch a new event designed to empower and educate the next generation of exhibitions and events industry leaders. Set for February 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit will provide an engaging educational experience designed specifically for young professionals and emerging leaders.
The conference marks the first major initiative… more
Jan 20, 2025
Since stepping into her role as President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in December 2023, Marsha Flanagan has hit the ground running. With a focus on innovation, community building, and sustainability, she is setting ambitious goals for the association in 2025.
In this exclusive Q&A with TSNN, Flanagan shares her vision for IAEE, outlines key initiatives, and discusses how the association is adapting to meet the evolving needs of its members and the exhibitions industry.
Vision for IAEE in 2025
Tormohlen: As you step into 2025, what is your… more
Jan 17, 2025
On January 8, New York-based private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners completed its acquisition of Marketplace Events (MPE), a leading consumer and trade show organizer that produces more than 110 events across 54 markets in the U.S. and Canada. Terms of the deal, which marks Clarion Capital’s first holding in the events industry, were not disclosed.
Context: MPE’s extensive portfolio includes just under 70 home and garden shows, 19 sport and outdoor shows, 16 holiday shows, and 11 recently acquired regional trade shows that bring together 30,000 exhibitors, more than 2.2 million… more
Jan 16, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of our industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for trade shows in 2025. While none of them claimed to be clairvoyants, their extensive expertise in producing impactful, high-value events to meet the needs of growing audiences has convinced us that these veteran professionals know what they’re talking about.
In this third installment of our series running throughout the month of January, we spoke with Freeman CEO Janet Dell, who shared her expectations for the events the company serves as well as the… more
Jan 14, 2025
Hearts and minds around the world are surely with the Los Angeles area, which has experienced catastrophic damage from wildfires that started last week and have ravaged idyllic neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As of publication time, approximately two dozen people have died, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Experts say that this could become the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the world of events, Los Angeles is a particularly special place. Countless planners, creatives, agencies, and… more
Jan 14, 2025
Sponsored by eShow
Planning an event can quickly become overwhelming with the multitude of tasks involved—managing registrations, coordinating speakers, organizing exhibitors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on-site. Fortunately, eShow provides comprehensive event planning software. This solution streamlines every aspect of your event, all within one platform. Here are five reasons why eShow is the ultimate solution for event organizers:
1. Integrated Suite of Tools for Seamless Event Management
The all-in-one platform eliminates the hassle of managing multiple systems and… more
Jan 13, 2025
As 2024 came to a close, the trade show industry remained on the fast track, actively hiring and promoting experienced industry professionals to gear up for a promising 2025. Here’s our roundup of trade show moves in the last month.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Nora Ellingwood joined CloserStill Media as vice president of operations, North America. In this newly created position, she will build a centralized operations team for the company’s U.S. events business, focused on creating innovative events and empowering its team members to learn, grow, and thrive while… more
Jan 13, 2025
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is set to debut the exclusive Citywide Track at the Connect Spring Marketplace 2025. Taking place from April 22–24 at the Forbes Five Star luxury hotel and casino Wynn Las Vegas, the program is designed to foster collaboration and innovation among trailblazers, decision-makers, and thought leaders in the events industry.
The Citywide Track promises three immersive days of networking, professional development, and idea-sharing tailored specifically for event organizers managing large-scale events. With participation limited to 75 hand-selected professionals,… more
Jan 10, 2025
Public company WiSA Technologies has agreed to acquire CompuSystems Inc. (CSI), a provider of registration, lead retrieval, and data analytics services for about 150 events and trade shows in 2024, including industry staples such as the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, InfoComm, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Show, and Informa U.S. Boat Shows like the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
The family-owned business was founded in 1976 by Clark Williams, who serves as CSI chairman. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the… more
Jan 09, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of the trade show industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for B2B exhibitions in 2025.
In this second installment of our series running through the month of January, we spoke with Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, producer of CES, the nation’s largest annual consumer electronics trade show and conference taking place this week in Las Vegas.
Here’s what Shapiro foresees for CTA’s events and the overall industry in the coming year.
What are your predictions for the trade… 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.