News

Jul 14, 2022
VenuIQ, a leading platform for live, hybrid and virtual events, and akire productions, an event production agency, announced a strategic initiative to accelerate growth, create new technology for the industry and produce a variety of events.   akire productions has been and will continue to be VenuIQ's premier event production partner, and the higher-level strategic partnership will pave the way for innovative features to be unveiled in the coming months, according to John D’Adamo, head of sales, USA for VenuIQ "Together, we will be collaborating on new solutions to revolutionize the events… more
Jul 14, 2022
E3, the world’s largest and most important event in the video gaming industry, will make its long-awaited in-person return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in June 2023. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) teamed with boutique RX Global division ReedPop, the veteran event production company behind PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration and other acclaimed pop culture events, to produce E3 2023. The event will reunite global gaming industry developers, manufacturers, buyers, licensors and media professionals for a week of momentous reveals, earth-shaking world premieres… more
Jul 14, 2022
Convention delegates staying at Resorts World Las Vegas now have a faster, greener and more convenient way to get to and from meetings and trade shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Unveiled June 30, the new Las Vegas Convention Center Loop passenger station, located beneath the resort, provides direct underground access to the LVCC’s West station in just minutes via all-electric Tesla Model X and Model Y vehicles traveling at 35-40 miles per hour.  Created by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, the Resorts World station is the fourth to be added to the LVCC Loop, an all-… more
Jul 12, 2022
When it comes to achieving true sustainability, the meetings and events industry has a lot of work to do. For decades, many planners have been touting the “green” practices they’ve been carrying out at events such as going paperless, recycling, reducing waste and reusing signage, all with good intentions. But when faced with the hard, cold fact that the industry by its very nature creates temporary experiences in an extremely wasteful way, producing massive amounts of carbon emissions in the process, are those low-hanging-fruit-type practices really enough? The answer is obvious. It’s time… more
Jul 11, 2022
As the return of face-to-face trade shows gains momentum, event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad are forming new partnerships, scooping up compatible businesses and announcing office expansions as they move steadily toward a busier and brighter post-pandemic future. Take a look! Heritage Exposition Services  Heritage Exposition Services, a privately owned and operated general service contractor specializing in trade show, convention and event experiences, recently expanded into a new operations facility in Phoenix. Five times larger than its original facility, the new space… more
Jul 08, 2022
As the venerable Event Technology Awards (ETA) approaches its 10th anniversary this fall, two new categories based on increasingly trending industry topics were just added to the list: “Best Metaverse Experience” and “Best Sustainable Tech Solution.” The metaverse is a hot topic in the events industry at the moment, especially when coupled with how it can best use it to enhance future events and encourage audience interaction within the virtual world, according to Adam Perry, co-founder of ETA and co-creator of Event Tech Live. “We want to hear from event organizers who are already… more
Jul 07, 2022
International Market Center (IMC) wrapped up its latest Atlanta Apparel market on a high note, with impressive attendance and order writing, as well as growing brand relationships between buyers and exhibitors. The market, held June 8-11 at AmericasMart Atlanta, is one of five yearly Atlanta Apparel shows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors and industry professionals, and the last opportunity for buyers and brands to finalize orders for autumn and winter 2022, as well as source immediates. Depending on the time of year, Atlanta Apparel markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young… more
Jul 06, 2022
As the trade show industry continues its evolution toward a post-pandemic future, event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad are appointing new leaders, promoting staff and hiring new team members in preparation for bluer skies ahead. Here are the latest exciting new people developments you need to know! BPA Worldwide   Leading global assurance provider of media, technology, events, and sustainability compliance, BPA Worldwide, has named Richard Murphy president and CEO. He replaces Glenn Hansen, who intends to retire in June 2023 and in the interim, has been named executive… more
Jul 05, 2022
If thoughts of Pittsburgh still evoke visions of a gritty, industrial steel town, then it’s time to pay a visit and have your misconceptions changed! Within the last several decades, this revitalized metropolis has undergone a dramatic transformation that has made it one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly places in the nation.   Named one of the most livable cities in the U.S. as well as a top 10 U.S. cities for green-certified building spaces, Pittsburgh is not only a friendly destination boasting a beautiful skyline, sparkling rivers, stunning architecture and a bustling arts,… more
Jul 01, 2022
ASM Global, a leading producer of entertainment experiences, teamed with Infor, a top cloud software provider, for a multi-year strategic blueprint that will offer the live-entertainment industry’s first fully integrated booking, sales, food and beverage, and event management platform, and it will also be used for conventions, trade shows and other corporate events.   The newly developed software is earmarked for ASM’s domestic and international venues, and the company plans to officially begin deploying it this month at select ASM Global U.S. arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention… more
Partner Voices
Located in beautiful North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee is the perfect mountain getaway with breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains and new additions to its resort and conference spaces sure to elevate any meetings or event. Completed in 2021, Harrah’s Cherokee’s latest $330 million expansion project introduced an entirely new fourth hotel tower, The Cherokee, as well as an additional 83,000 square feet of meeting space with the Cherokee Convention Center. The Cherokee tower brings with it 725 rooms and 70 luxurious suites spread out over 19 floors for a grand total of 1,800 rooms across the entire resort. The new rooms feature a sleek design with an earth-toned color palette and modern amenities. In addition to the new rooms, the expansion also brought with it a luxurious new lobby and lobby bar, a fitness center, a coffee & pastry bar, and a second pool. Conventions, trade shows, banquets, receptions, and even the smallest, most intimate gatherings can find the perfect arrangement at Harrah’s Cherokee with its 130,000 square feet of flexible meeting space – including the Cherokee Convention Center. The resort offers a myriad of different spaces and configuration options for events, but the largest spaces include the following: 32,000-sq-ft Cherokee Convention Center ballroom with 22 meeting spaces 11,100-sq-ft Cherokee Convention Center ballroom pre-function space 33,000-sq-ft Cherokee Exhibit Hall 6,000-sq-ft Cherokee Exhibit Hall Pre-Function 13,801-sq-ft Council Fire Ballroom able to be reconfigured into as many as four ballrooms from 3,100 to 3,529-sq-ft each 16,815-sq-ft Event Center able to be configured in six different ways to accommodate 100 to 1,500 guests and offers four VIP suites, box seating, and more than 1,100 balcony seats. In addition to the new accommodations and meeting space, Harrah’s Cherokee has also opened several new restaurants as part of the expansion including Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar which includes the chef’s award-winning burgers and barbeque on the menu. Another celebrity chef has also made their mark on the resort with the opening of Gordon Ramsay Food Market which features eight dining concepts ranging from sushi to New York-style deli sandwiches and classic fine-dining fare. Longtime Asheville favorite, Wicked Weed Brewing Pub has also debuted a new location next to Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center creating the perfect after-event center with its bright and bold design, over thirty different beers, and live music on weekends. An easy drive from many of the largest cities in the Southeast, Harrah’s Cherokee provides the perfect blend of majestic mountainscapes, luxurious new accommodations, and authentic Native American culture.