News

Sep 23, 2020
While there has been an understandable drop in new and renewed business deals in the trade show industry lately, there have been some bright spots, particularly in the virtual space. Here are a few companies continuing to forge ahead as they prepare for a post-COVID-19 business future. Stetson Convention Services  Pittsburgh-based Stetson Convention Services has been tapped by Jamie Belkin Productions, Cleveland Clinic and The Commission on Presidential Debates to help produce the 2020 Presidential Debate, set for Sept. 29 at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University… more
Sep 22, 2020
Last week PCMA announced the next steps in its global business events industry recovery plan, Recovery Discovery, at a series of digital broadcasts in Asia Pacific, EMEA and the Americas late last week. The announcements provide PCMA members, partners and business event stakeholders all over the world with new opportunities to gain actionable insights and community connections that will help them be successful through the pandemic and beyond. "PCMA is making bold moves to help our audiences — from business event strategists to destination marketing organizations to premier venues around the… more
Sep 22, 2020
IBTM World 2020, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, will transition to a virtual event this year. Originally scheduled for Dec. 1-3 in Barcelona, the in-person component of the event will not take place as planned. This decision was made by show officials in close consultation with partners as a result of the unpredictable travel restrictions that continue to be in place across the globe because of COVID-19. “Whilst we have been planning positively for a live event in December, and we know that people want to get back to meeting face-to-face, the situation across Europe and the wider world… more
Sep 21, 2020
In an exciting trade show industry deep dive, Trade Show News Network, in partnership with data analytics company Bear Analytics, have teamed up to unveil a dynamic dashboard of the TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list metrics. The dashboard includes U.S. data from 2014-19 and is the most comprehensive look at large trade show data anywhere. Analyzing more than 1,477 trade shows that represent 24.8 million attendees, 1.1 million exhibiting companies and more than 393 million net square feet, the dashboard is complimentary to all users and allows them to search data on all of the shows including… more
Sep 18, 2020
Recent news reports have suggested that the pandemic could still pose a considerable risk to human health and safety well into next year. After monitoring health and safety concerns, economic indicators, industry developments and business travel restrictions, as well as gauging audience comfort levels with participating in face-to-face events, some industry professionals are concluding that postponing 2021 events to later in the year is the smartest move. Here are several major trade shows that will be delayed next year. NAB Show Initial 2021 dates: April 11-14 Rescheduled 2021 dates: Oct… more
Sep 17, 2020
Held Aug. 29–Sept. 6 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany, CARAVAN SALON, the world’s largest RV trade fair and consumer show, drew 107,000 mobile travel and leisure enthusiasts to the event’s 59th edition. Spanning 762,000 square feet, the show was the first major trade fair to take place in the western German city since the COVID-19 lockdown. Produced by Messe Düsseldorf in partnership with the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), the annual event features vehicles and equipment, technology, trends, tents, mobile homes, camping equipment, camping and caravan sites, as well as… more
Sep 16, 2020
Woodridge, Illinois-based Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, a wholesale supplier and manufacturer of display, exhibit, graphic and event tools, has acquired Fabric Images, a company that designs, builds and installs printed tensioned fabric architecture. The merger combines Orbus Exhibit & Display Group’s service, quality, print capability and extensive portfolio of signage, portable, modular, fabric structure and custom exhibit and display solutions with Fabric Images’ expertise in creating innovative custom fabric architectural solutions for exhibits, events, hospitality, retail and… more
Sep 15, 2020
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events(IAEE) held its first fully virtual Women’s Leadership Forum, featuring education sessions for women at all stages of their career, on Sept. 9. This year’s program included sessions like “Truths Female Leaders Need to Know,” “Innovation is Everybody’s Business: How to Be the Innovator and Leader Your Team and Clients Need When Times Are Uncertain,” Cultivating Connectivity, One Step at a Time” and “BrainSHIFT: Mindful Leaders Rise Above the Panic.” “Since its inception in 2013, the Women’s Leadership Forum has become a must-attend event… more
Sep 15, 2020
On Sept. 9-10, Connect Sports, a live business conference and reverse trade show for sporting event planners and those in the sports travel and tourism industry, held its first-ever online event, Connect Sports Virtual. The two-day online conference attracted 180 participants — 90 attendees and 90 suppliers — seeking to gain industry insights, make professional connections and generate new business.   In the digital event’s new virtual appointment lounge, 3,912 one-on-one marketplace appointments were conducted with the help of Connect’s matchmaking platform. Suppliers who attended indicated… more
Sep 14, 2020
The annual TechWatch Awards at this year’s IBTM World, set for Dec.1-3 at Fira Barcelona in Spain, will have a new concept for 2020. Aptly named TechWatch Live, the new format will feature live pitching on-site as well as a new judging panel chair. Designed to showcase the best event technology, TechWatch Live will provide five technology business owners with the opportunity to pitch their product or service to a live audience and judging panel for the chance to become the 2020 TechWatch Live Award Winner. Held on Day 2 of IBTM World, the TechWatch Live Awards enable event tech start-ups to… more
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.