News
May 27, 2014
Less than a week after the San Diego Convention Center Corporation sent a letter to all of its clients announcing the implementation of not only fee hikes for shows coming into the center after July 1, but also exclusive contracts for security and event staffing, the changes were put on hold after swift industry backlash.
Steven Johnson, vice president of public affairs for SDCCC, said they had extensive feedback from their clients expressing concern after the letter was sent.
“The decision to suspend the changes was a result of the strong reaction from our clients and our desire to be… more
May 25, 2014
Walking into the Sweets and Snacks Expo at McCormick Place, the smell of candy and popcorn was almost as powerful as the bright colors of the 650 booths seen covering 165,000 plus square foot of exhibit space.
And the 16,000 attendees clearly were enjoying the expo and samples of candy and snacks that were plentiful during the show that was held May 20-22.
“We have seen a strong jump in attendance in our show, both with exhibitors and attendees,” said Theresa Anthony, senior director of the National Confectioners Association Expo.
She added, “We have also… more
May 25, 2014
Frost Miller Group recently began working on several graphic design projects for American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).
AASLD, which serves all professionals dedicated to preventing and curing liver disease, quickly put FMG to work on a number of graphic design projects including tradeshow displays, direct mail, and print and web advertisements.
“Our role with AASLD is to develop marketing materials that help drive association membership and promote its foundation’s fellowships and research awards,” said Kevin Miller, president of FMG.
The FMG team is… more
May 25, 2014
PMMI has tapped into the fast-growing $1 trillion medicines market with the planned launch of Pharma EXPO coming up in November collocated with PACK EXPO International in Chicago.
Already 85 percent sold out months before its opening, the exhibition is co-produced by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), the world’s largest not-for-profit association leading scientific, technical and regulatory advancement throughout the pharmaceutical lifecycle.
To date, more than 160 solutions providers… more
May 25, 2014
Pri-Med, the leading provider of professional medical education to a community of more than 260,000 clinicians, named Melinda Lindquist as director of continuing medical education (CME) and accreditation for pmiCME. pmiCME is the accreditation division of DBC Pri-Med, LLC.
In her new role, Lindquist will help lead Pri-Med’s collaborations with medical schools and associations nationwide to build CME curriculums that are tailored specifically to improve patient outcomes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Melinda to our team as we continue to build out the next phase of… more
May 25, 2014
With so many event apps on the market today, how is an event organizer to choose which one is right for their event?
Just about every app will offer what are now considered the basics. Those being a schedule, exhibitor list, show information, social media connectivity and some type of networking tool.
To stand out, app providers are constantly upping their game with add-ons. Some of the new tools being offered are enhancements to the attendee experience, such as gamification. Other providers are offering tools that benefit the organizer and exhibitors.
An example of a tool within an app that… more
May 25, 2014
With so many event apps on the market today, how is an event organizer to choose which one is right for their event?
Just about every app will offer what are now considered the basics. Those being a schedule, exhibitor list, show information, social media connectivity and some type of networking tool.
To stand out, app providers are constantly upping their game with add-ons. Some of the new tools being offered are enhancements to the attendee experience, such as gamification. Other providers are offering tools that benefit the organizer and exhibitors.
An example of a tool within an app that… more
May 24, 2014
At the recent Shepard Exhibition Services’ three-day client event, Sandbox, which recently was held in Atlanta, Brian Casey, the president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, presented trade show industry trends occurring now and into the future on the final day.
Casey began his session by talking through the latest CEIR Index Report numbers, which tracks the overall health of the trade show industry by looking at 14 different industry sectors.
The good news is; the industry still is growing, albeit at a slow and steady pace.
Casey then broke down the trends into… more
May 21, 2014
Focused and busy would be one way to describe the vibe at RECon 2014, a trade show and conference for retail real estate that took place May 18-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Spanning approximately 1 million square feet, it featured about 1,100 exhibitors and brought together 33,500 industry professionals who were ready to capitalize on the improving real estate market. While square footage remained the same as last year, attendance and exhibitor count saw a slight uptick.
“During the recession, the bottom fell out, and since then, it’s been a steady climb for us that… more
May 20, 2014
Just less than 1,500 meetings professionals attended American Society of Association Executive’s annual Springtime Expo at the Walter E. Washington (D.C.) Convention Center May 15, with both attendees and exhibitors reporting strong activity on the showfloor.
Springtime is the largest one-day trade show in the meetings and events industry.
“Traffic was excellent and exceeded our expectations,” according to the Rose Bowl’s Jens Weiden, who participated with the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. “When I was walking around the showfloor, booths… 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.