News

Aug 30, 2016
Frontline employees from Phoenix’s visitor industry now are better equipped to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals thanks to the city’s recent hosting of the 53rd Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference. In advance of the conference, which was held at the Phoenix Convention Center July 5-9, the National Association of the Deaf teamed with deaffriendly to conduct a two-hour workshop focused on deaf-friendly customer service. More than 200 travel and hospitality professionals attended the workshop, including staff from Visit Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center… more
Aug 30, 2016
UBM Advanced Manufacturing Group and the Medical Alley Association have signed on to continue their partnership at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis.  The event takes place Sept. 21-22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center and is collocated with five UBM Advanced Manufacturing events: Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Minneapolis, Automation Technology Expo (ATX) Minneapolis, MinnPack, PLASTEC Minneapolis, and Design & Manufacturing Minneapolis. MD&M Minneapolis has showcased medtech innovation in the Midwest for more than 20… more
Aug 30, 2016
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Nominating Committee met on Aug. 23 in Chicago and reviewed, in detail, a number of nominee applications for the 2017 open board officers and directors positions. After due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2017 PCMA Board of Directors. According to the PCMA Bylaws, this official announcement of the proposed slate is to be sent to the membership by Oct. 1. The nominating process, according to the Bylaws (Article XII, Section 1(d)), allows for… more
Aug 28, 2016
There aren’t too many people who can claim they have been in the industry for more than 50 years, but Jerry Kallman Sr. started off in 1963. Since 1963, Kallman Associates specialized in serving as the United States and Canadian representative office for numerous world renowned trade show organizers primarily in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The company now is run full-time by Jerry Kallman Jr., while Jerry Sr. is chair of Kallman Worldwide. Jerry Sr. took some time to tell TSNN about his many years of experience in the industry. TSNN: How did you get into the trade show business?… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research recently unveiled its Trade Show Economic Impact Calculator. “CEIR’s Trade Show Economic Impact Calculator will help organizers further understand the impact of their shows and provide consistency across the exhibition industry in how we measure that impact,” said CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey, CEM. “More importantly, this tool offers the possibility of further correlating the value exhibitions have on their particular destinations.” CEIR’s latest tool for exhibition organizers calculates the economic impact of their exhibition in the city… more
Aug 27, 2016
In the late 1800s, the need for safe drinking water was a critical issue. So, in March of 1881, 22 men representing water utilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee met on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis for the first of what would eventually become the Annual Conference & Exposition of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Attendance wasn’t officially recorded until 1965 in Portland, Oregon, where 3,857 attended. When exhibits were formally added in 1979 in San Francisco, there were 7,195 attendees and 299 exhibit booths. The event… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched its first 360-degree virtual reality video featuring one-of-a-kind augmented reality graphics and a unique take on the 360-degree viewing experience. The video highlights the destination’s award-winning culinary scene and is the first of three virtual reality projects to be released in the coming months. Viewers are immersed in a culinary journey from farm to fork as they are guided through 10 local establishments including 8UP, Crescent Hill Craft House, Harvest, Jack Fry’s, Mike Linnigs, Monnik, Proof on Main, The… more
Aug 27, 2016
The Virtual Edge Institute [VEI] and Meetings + Conventions Calgary announced fall scholarship applications now are being accepted for VEI’s Digital Event Strategist [DES] newly updated course and certification exam. The scholarships support business event organizers seeking to further their education in digital extensions and live streams of events. Meetings + Conventions Calgary is the exclusive sponsor of these scholarships which support the application, online course and exam fees – a $1000+ USD value. The scholarship winners will participate in the next DES LIVE Online course… more
Aug 24, 2016
Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo) and Questex will partner on the launch of the Pennsylvania Foodservice Expo, an annual trade show serving the Restaurant, Foodservice, Nightlife and Hospitality industry in Pennsylvania. The inaugural show will be held Oct. 23-24, 2017, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The partnership and launch will incorporate Questex’s Nightclub & Bar brand by bringing the concept to the East Coast in a variety of tasting pavilions scattered throughout the showfloor. “These new partnerships are extremely exciting, as they… more
Aug 23, 2016
International Pizza Expo, a pizzeria business-to-business trade show owned by Emerald Expositions, will launch a new two-day trade show at the Atlantic City Convention Center that will focus on pizzerias and Italian restaurants. “This is in no way a replacement to Pizza Expo for East Coast pizzeria operators and their staffs, but more of an opportunity to let them be a part of this regional two-day experience,” said Bill Oakley, group show director – Food Group. “Most of our eastern U.S. attendees have two days of travel in order to attend the Expo, making it difficult to attend the entire… more
Partner Voices
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.