Detroit Renews Several Shows; Prepares to Welcome ASAE Annual Meeting Next August

Several shows have recently signed on to renew their contracts or in the midst of long ones at Detroit’s Cobo Center, leading to what Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of the venue, calls one of the most successful years in “memorable history”.

The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and SME just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress.

International Association of Exhibitions and Events Unveils 2014 IAEE Awards Program Recipients

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveils this year’s recipients of the IAEE Awards program, which recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry.

The recipients will be honored at the IAEE Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation to be held Dec. 9-11 during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Los Angeles.

“The IAEE Awards Committee is very proud of this year’s honorees,” said 2014 IAEE Awards Committee Chairperson David Audrain, CEM.

IAEE Signs Reciprocity Agreement with Indian Exhibition Industry Association

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) entered into a reciprocity agreement with the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) during the recent IEIA Open Seminar in Hyderabad, India. The agreement demonstrates IAEE's and IEIA's commitment to the international exhibitions and events industry, and it provides additional global opportunities for IAEE and IEIA members to connect to develop new exhibitions and face-to-face events. 

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Books Philadelphia for 2019 Event

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has selected the Pennsylvania Convention Center as the location for its 2019 annual conference, according to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

APIC, which is the leading professional association for infection preventionists with more than 15,000 members, will hold its annual conference in Philadelphia for the first time in 2019.

2014 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Nashville, Tenn., Draws Most Association Execs Since 2007

Music City was an undeniable draw, with nearly 6,000 overall attendees and the highest number of association executives coming to the 2014 American Society for Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held Aug. 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn., since the 2007 event in Chicago.

The final attendance breakdown included 3,159 executives, 1,897 exhibitors, 919 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a total of 5,975.

ASAE Announces the 2014 ‘Power of A’ Award Winners

The American Society of Association Executives is set to honor six associations with the 2014 Summit Award, which is the highest recognition under the organization’s The Power of A Awards. The six organizations will accept their awards Oct. 1 during the 15th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The winners were selected by the Power of A Awards Judging Committee, which received more than 90 applications this year.

Robert Gates Tapped as National Association of Convenience Stores Show Closing Speaker

Dr. Robert Gates, former secretary of defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, has been tapped as a closing general session speaker at the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores )Show, which takes place Oct. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011 under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. “Dr.

Atlanta Becomes Major Draw for Educational Events and Meetings

Educational meetings are becoming a major piece of business for Atlanta, with 8 percent of their total bookings currently in this sector and that number is expected to rise in the future. The latest educational meeting to come to town was the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which had a record-breaking number of attendee registrants for their annual Conference and Expo, held June 28-July 1 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
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One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.