News

Apr 08, 2014
Both Pittsburgh and Vancouver, B.C., have reasons to celebrate recently, with the Pennsylvania city’s convention and visitors bureau posting positive results for last year overall and the Canadian West Coast city’s main venue touting successes as well.   VisitPITTSBURGH unveiled at its April 3 annual meeting that the travel and tourism industry in Allegheny County generated $5.5 billion in spending, supports 39,000 jobs and creates nearly $340 million in tax revenues.   Craig Davis, the bureau’s president and CEO, said that the VisitPITTSBURGH convention sales team… more
Apr 07, 2014
Change is a constant factor for the information technology trade show Interop that took place March 31-April 4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Few things change faster than IT. Staying relevant, competing with proprietary vendor events and creating a sense of community have been at the top of the priority list for the show’s organizer UBM Tech, with some of the most successful methods being surprisingly old school. “Interop is designed to meet the IT professionals’ needs. Their roles are tricky right now too because things are changing so rapidly with cloud computing,… more
Apr 07, 2014
Because of increased exhibit space demand, an additional hall will be used for the second staging of ProWine China, providing 50 percent more space. This exhibition for wines and spirits in China will take place from Nov. 12-14 in the SNIEC exhibition center in Shanghai. ProWine China will be held alongside FHC China, the country’s leading trade fair for imported food. The first edition of ProWine China in November 2013 drew 570 wine and spirit producers from 30 nations who presented their products to 7,650 trade visitors from China and Asia. A number of exhibitors are expanding… more
Apr 07, 2014
The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) drew more buyers and record orders at its 20th anniversary edition held March 4-8. The five-day show had estimated sales of US$892 million and a 6 percent jump in attendees to 19,472 visitors, including 6,171 international buyers from 141 countries and regions. The turnout of the international and local buyers has created more business opportunities to the 503 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions who were in the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) with their latest range and wide-variety… more
Apr 07, 2014
Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Guangdong Toy Association (GDTA) have signed a Letter of Intent to join forces in organizing the Guangzhou International Toy and Hobby Fair and the Guangzhou International Stroller and Baby Product Fair starting in 2015.   Stephan Buurma, managing director of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd and a member of the Extended Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, said: “Messe Frankfurt is committed to providing diversified quality trade fairs in different markets and have already achieved huge success and recognition with over 30 trade shows in… more
Apr 07, 2014
The second edition of Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong concluded with record visitor number last month at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Running from 21st to 23rd March, Affordable Art Fair in Hong Kong attracted more than 29,000 visitors this year, up from 15,000 in 2013. Exhibit categories ranged from photography, prints, and sculptures to painting. This year, more than 120 local and international exhibitors attended the three-day show. The Affordable Art Fair is held in various cities around the world, including New York, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Mexico City,… more
Apr 07, 2014
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) unveiled its 2014 marketing strategy for the exhibition industry, which includes a three-year industry-focused roadmap. TCEB is targeting a 5% increase in the number of MICE travellers for the international exhibition segment to 181,200, and a 10% growth in revenue to US$473 million in 2014. TCEB identified three key marketing roles in the strategy. As connector/facilitator, the bureau will focus on establishing connections and providing support for the private sector to enable business opportunities. Secondly, TCEB will act as marketer/… more
Apr 07, 2014
Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture is planning for a new convention venue capable of hosting large-scale events of up to 20,000 people. According to the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB), discussions and research for a suitable location is currently underway with a final decision expected sometime next year. Parties involved with discussions are reportedly favouring locations near to the prefecture capital’s Naha Airport, hotels, and other key attractions. Currently, the largest convention centre in the prefecture is the Okinawa Convention Center, which offers a maximum… more
Apr 07, 2014
APLF Limited, a subsidiary of UBM Asia, organised the 30th anniversary edition of MM&T and Fashion Access from 31st March to 2nd April 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The organiser estimated a total of 1,700 exhibitors and around 30,000 buyers attended MM&T is an annual event for the global leather industry. Exhibitors at MM&T covered a wide range of industry sectors including semi-finished and finished leather, hides and skins, exotic leather, equipment, chemicals and dyes for tanning and leather trading. Fashion Access featured a wide range of… more
Apr 06, 2014
Last November, when Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the Philippines, beyond the loss of life and overall destruction, the country also dealt with a perception challenge in the aftermath. Even though the typhoon, as well as a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck a month earlier, had both caused considerable damage, the capital city – Manila – and the other areas where conventions and meetings typically were held were virtually untouched. In stepped two people - Liz Jackson and Susan Sarfati of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and IMEX tradeshows -… 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.