News

Jun 02, 2013
George Little Management’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair is experiencing a growth streak, with the recent show scoring 12-percent growth in attendance and 14-percent growth for the size of the showfloor, both compared to the previous year’s show. More than 29,642 attendees flocked to the 165,000 net square foot showfloor May 18-21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. “We’re thrilled that the ICFF is experiencing this unprecedented growth spurt 25 years into its existence,” said Kevin O’Keefe, senior vice president of GLM. He… more
Jun 02, 2013
Getting buyers onto the showfloor is without a doubt one of the more important elements of a trade show or expo, but getting them through the on-site registration and badging process quickly and smoothly can sometimes be an issue. Convention Data Services’ Onsite Wireless Will Call tool may be able to loosen up that logjam by reducing attendee wait time in registration lines. At the 2011 FABTECH show, maximum wait times at registration were hovering at about 25 minutes. In 2012, that number dropped to 10 minutes for attendees using the traditional system. CDS reported that FABTECH… more
Jun 02, 2013
Getting buyers onto the showfloor is without a doubt one of the more important elements of a trade show or expo, but getting them through the on-site registration and badging process quickly and smoothly can sometimes be an issue. Convention Data Services’ Onsite Wireless Will Call tool may be able to loosen up that logjam by reducing attendee wait time in registration lines. At the 2011 FABTECH show, maximum wait times at registration were hovering at about 25 minutes. In 2012, that number dropped to 10 minutes for attendees using the traditional system. CDS reported that FABTECH… more
Jun 01, 2013
Lack of funding, provided by the San Diego-based Tourism Marketing District, almost led to the complete closure of the San Diego Tourism Authority, which would have resulted in 85 people losing their jobs and a halt to the city’s sales and marketing efforts. SDTA operations were meant to cease June 3, but on May 31, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner signed a last-minute deal to release $5.7 million to the TMD that allowed the SDTA, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, to stay open for business. The spat originated because of a 2-percent hotel tax that equals about $30 million… more
Jun 01, 2013
Google Analytics provides a number of tools and features to help your marketing team measure sales and conversions effectively. Here are three nifty tools to help you get started on tracking and measuring customer engagement. Annotations The ‘add annotations’ feature in Google Analytics enables the user to add a quick personal or shared note to any node on a graph. Annotations help to establish the relationship between significant promotional activities to significant surges in traffic patterns, especially when cross-functional teams analyze historical data. Learn more:… more
Jun 01, 2013
Google Analytics provides a number of tools and features to help your marketing team measure sales and conversions effectively. Here are three nifty tools to help you get started on tracking and measuring customer engagement. Annotations The ‘add annotations’ feature in Google Analytics enables the user to add a quick personal or shared note to any node on a graph. Annotations help to establish the relationship between significant promotional activities to significant surges in traffic patterns, especially when cross-functional teams analyze historical data. Learn more:… more
May 31, 2013
With 52 percent of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ membership being women and 24 percent of those in C-level positions, the organization heeded the call from its ranks and launched the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum May 29-30 in Washington, D.C. Seventy suppliers and show organizers gathered to hear from CEOs from within the trade show industry, as well as speakers such as Betsy Myers, founding director of the center for Women and Business at Bentley University and author of “Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and… more
May 27, 2013
The National Association of Music Merchants recently named Cindy Sample director of Trade Show Operations, overseeing the association’s events. Sample previously held the position as operations director for Nielsen Expositions, where she worked on shows such as Outdoor Retailer and ASD Las Vegas. "It is critically important to us that our members have an amazing experience at NAMM's trade events," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. He added, "Cindy's reputation as a creative, innovative and visionary professional, as well as her 18 years of trade show… more
May 26, 2013
Wireless technology got plenty of celebrity action as Jennifer Lopez and Ashton Kutcher took center stage at CTIA 2013 Mobile Marketplace that took place May 21-23 at the Sands Convention Center. The event drew about 35,000 attendees, many of whom were watching the keynotes on their mobile devices. Exhibitor count and square footage were on par with 2012, when about 1,000 exhibitors took up 297,903 net square feet.   As mobile technology has become ubiquitous in just about any industry, CTIA is gearing up to launch Super Mobility Week in September of 2014 that will bring together CTIA… more
May 26, 2013
Expo Logic, a trade show services company that specializes in event registration and lead retrieval, now is offering LeadPod, the company’s first lead retrieval app for mobile devices. “The use of smart phones for lead retrieval systems is an emerging and growing trend in the trade show industry,” says Jeff Cooper, president and CEO of Expo Logic. He added, “We’ve developed a proprietary lead retrieval app in-house, based on the feedback and needs of our clients, to make the lead retrieval process that much simpler and useful.” LeadPod is a handheld lead… 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.