News
Jan 06, 2015
Last year was a good one for Atlanta, with the city’s convention and visitors bureau unveiling that the city not only had a record number of citywide conventions, but it also hit milestones in hotel occupancy.
Atlanta hosted 21 major citywides in 2014 that generated more than $750 million in direct economic impact and drew nearly a million convention and event attendees, according to the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
By year-end, occupancy levels for Atlanta neared 70 percent, a high not seen in the city in more than a decade.
As of November 2014, Atlanta ranked No. 1 for the… more
Jan 06, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives held its 2014 CIO Pre-Conference Workshop and Technology Conference & Expo Dec. 15-17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, Md.
With a total of 1,203 total participants, this year’s event was one of the highest attended conferences in its history.
Participants took part in 30 high-level practical education sessions within five pathways, a sold-out Expo Hall and learned about new technologies and how they could possibly use them within their organization.
The final attendance breakdown for this year’s… more
Jan 06, 2015
New and returning exhibitors of the Automate 2015 show already have secured more than 150 percent of exhibit floor space, compared with the last show in 2013, according to the Association for Advancing Automation.
Automate 2015, which takes place March 23-26 in Chicago, Ill., recently was named one of the “Top 10 Manufacturing Shows” in the United States.
“Today’s automation industry is rapidly growing with new innovations, markets and technology,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3.
He added, “The growth of Automate 2015 reflects the… more
Jan 06, 2015
Several thousand convention managers and suppliers to the industry will be heading to the Windy City’s McCormick Place Jan. 11-14 to take part in the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual Convening Leaders event.
This year will have a lot to live up to, with last year’s event in Boston drawing the highest attendance in the event’s history, nearly 4,000 attendees.
Chicago is a major base for associations, so there likely will be once again a huge turnout to this year’s event.
Convening Leaders kicks off Sunday with an opening party – Hyde Away Chicago – at the Museum of… more
Jan 04, 2015
The IMEX Group, organizers of the annual IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America trade shows for the global meetings, incentive travel and events industry, have identified four key trends for the year ahead in the meetings and trade show industry.
Whether it’s being more ‘playful’, the further integration of apps into an event, meetings’ formats evolving to possibly even go outside and creating a healthier attendee at events, all four ideas are sure to continue to appear throughout 2015.
‘Play’ Gives New Meaning to Profit
2014 was the year that ‘play’ as a tool for unlocking creativity and… more
Jan 01, 2015
Nashville-based SouthComm Business Media bought the rest of Cygnus Business Media’s portfolio, including 10 trade shows, 10 publications and five Web sites.
“This transaction represents the remaining business owned by Cygnus Business Media. This is the fifth and final transaction for this company, concluding a one-and-a-half year process,” said Nick Curci, president of Corporate Solutions.
SouthComm had previously bought from Cygnus 11 publications, seven Web sites. There also was a trade show portion of the sale that consisted of seven events, including Firehouse Expo; Firehouse World… more
Dec 30, 2014
Just three months after Greg Topalian, former senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions and founder of New York Comic Con, and Business Journals Inc. formed a partnership to launch a new venture together they teamed up with another partner for their first outing, JD Events, on Audio Expo North America.
Founded in 2009 by Stephen Davis, AXPONA has quickly become the premier event for audiophiles and music lovers. JDE acquired the show in 2013 with an eye to grow the event even more.
The new partnership with Leftfield Media further accelerates the growth plans for this consumer event… more
Dec 28, 2014
The 2014 ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, held Dec. 7–11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, brought together the pharmaceutical community for their greatest adventure.
The Midyear meeting is considered the largest gathering of pharmacists in the world annually, and this could be seen with more than 20,000 attendees exploring both the impactful educational sessions and the 100,000-plus square feet of exhibit space and nearly 350 exhibitors onsite.
Overall attendance was similar to last year, and the exhibit hall has… more
Dec 28, 2014
The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association’s 2015 Marketing Summit, on tap Jan. 21-22 at the Hyatt Regency Boston, has an education program that will feature several relevant sessions.
Here are the sessions being offered:
Healthcare Professionals Panel
This panel of healthcare professionals will share their unique opinions on a variety of questions most industry associations/suppliers have wondered for years. What are they thinking when walking through an exhibit hall? Do they visit the exhibit hall while at conventions? If not why not? How are millennials and boomers… more
Dec 28, 2014
Eco Expo Asia, which is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the show saw its strongest global presence yet.
In attendance were 308 exhibitors representing 22 countries and regions at the fair, held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at AsiaWorld-Expo.
The exhibits covered everything from energy efficiency and green building solutions to waste management and air purification technologies.
The fair’s international environment was further… 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.