Nov 01, 2021
North Carolina’s Charlotte Convention Center is now ready and able to host larger meetings and conventions, thanks to a $126.9 million expansion project that has added approximately 50,000 square feet to the 26-year-old downtown venue.  On Oct. 21, the City of Charlotte, the CRVA, construction partners, hospitality industry representatives and community leaders gathered to officially open and celebrate the new state-of-the-art space via a ribbon cutting ceremony that included the unveiling of a new public artwork and remarks from city government and tourism officials, including Mayor Vi… more
Oct 25, 2021
Sodexo Group recently launched Sodexo Live!, a new global brand dedicated to the hospitality space. Designed to unify and leverage the company’s extensive expertise in the sports, events and hospitality sector, the fresh identity reaffirms the company’s commitment to being a market leader in a space on the verge of rebounding, according to Sodexo Live! officials. “We are thrilled to unveil Sodexo Live! for meeting planners, show organizers and the space as a whole,” said Steve Pangburn, CEO of Sodexo Live! North America. “Those in the meetings and events industry can expect a continued… more
Oct 21, 2021
New York City’s Javits Center may be located in one of the busiest cities in the world, but it’s as green as it gets at this newly expanded facility. The center just unveiled an innovative 200,000-square-foot rooftop that features a glass-enclosed pavilion, an outdoor terrace and a one-acre working farm that is expected to generate up to 40,000 pounds of produce each year for the center’s banquet operations. The farm, along with other enhancements, builds upon the center’s other sustainability success stories, including an existing 6.75-acre green roof that serves as a habitat for area… more
Oct 18, 2021
As the industry returns to face-to-face events, rest assured there will be no shortage of spectacular spaces in which to convene. With the array of new and expanded convention centers that have opened this year and are on track to debut in the near future, this seems to be one of the most prolific periods of new construction the industry has seen. Here are four upcoming convention centers to keep on the radar, all of which are making dynamic architectural and design statements. The Summit, Seattle The home of the Space Needle knows a thing or two about bringing awe-inspiring icons to its… more
Oct 13, 2021
Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect, is gearing up to welcome a pre-pandemic number of event professionals to its signature summer marketplace conference and trade show in Detroit next year. Set for Aug. 8-10, 2022 at TCF Center, Connect Detroit expects to attract approximately 4,000 decision-making planners and suppliers, who will gather together to meet, network, do business and experience all that the city has to offer for meeting and event groups. The annual August conference will once again draw in attendees from four main market segments: corporate,… more
Oct 07, 2021
If the human species is good at one thing, it’s adapting. So too is the trade show and events industry, which was forced to “pivot” during the worst of the pandemic by moving into a more innovative, forward-thinking mindset via the leveraging of virtual event technology. What has resulted is a digital events revolution and a growing hybrid evolution that is likely to be a mainstay in the events world for the foreseeable future.   To meet the needs of events serving both in-person and virtual audiences, hybrid event production studios are popping up in cities and at convention centers across… more
Oct 06, 2021
Famous for the fortifications, cobblestone streets and colorful Spanish Colonial buildings of Old San Juan, founded in 1519, Puerto Rico is also becoming a favorite for something brand-new, and it’s as vibrant and infused with local heritage as the historic district. Distrito T-Mobile, a five-acre entertainment complex that was being unveiled in phases right across from the Puerto Rico Convention Center, is now fully open, taking the experience for residents, visitors and event attendees to new heights. "In celebrating the opening of Distrito T-Mobile, we share with the world our goal of… more
Oct 01, 2021
It’s no secret that waste is a leading sustainability issue plaguing the entire global hospitality industry. In the U.S. alone, nearly 40% of food waste is generated from consumer-facing businesses including restaurants and hotels, according to leading conservation organization World Wildlife Fund (WWF). But while hotels have made important strides in waste prevention and diversion over the last several years, industry-wide waste reduction has presented a significant challenge due to the absence of a common approach in collecting data and measuring and reporting waste. In other words, hotels… more
Sep 28, 2021
MGM Resorts International has entered into a definitive agreement with New York-based private equity behemoth Blackstone Group to acquire the casino and hotel operating rights of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for just over $1.6 billion.  Announced Sept. 27, the deal coincides with Blackstone’s sale of the 3,032-room Strip resort to a group of buyers for about $5.6 billion, nearly tripling its investment in the Strip property seven years after acquiring it from Deutsche Bank for just over $1.7 billion and spending $500 million on capital improvements. According to Blackstone officials, a… more
Sep 23, 2021
Guests attending or exhibiting at trade shows held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) are going to notice a futuristic presence in their midst: a 5G smart robot combining 5G network and artificial intelligence technologies designed to enhance security and operational efficiency at the massive facility. Deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival, held Aug. 20-23, “Captain C” is equipped with a 360-degree 4K high-definition surveillance camera, an infrared detection camera and a sensor system for detecting smoke and fire.   According to HKCEC (… more
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.