Association Show News

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Jun 02, 2015
The 96th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the collocated BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) at NRA Show, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 16-19, posted record exhibit space and a 3 percent uptick in registration in the key buyer category of restaurant and foodservice operators. “Across all three halls and all four days of NRA Show and BAR, the optimism of the restaurant and hospitality industry could be felt around every corner,” said John Metz, Jr., 2015 NRA Convention Chair and Executive Chef, CEO and Co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern. He… more
Jun 01, 2015
The severe winter weather in much of the U.S. didn’t put a damper on the trade show industry, with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s quarterly CEIR Index Report tracking growth to be 4.6 percent in Q1 2015, compared with the same time period in 2014. It is the highest increase since the second quarter of 2007, in other words, before the recession hit. "The performance in the first quarter was remarkable considering that the east coast was frequently paralyzed under severe winter weather," said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting… more
May 25, 2015
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has signed an agreement to become an official Media Partner and member of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Rachel Wimberly, President/Editor-in-chief, and Paul Woodward, Managing Director of UFI signed the agreement that will help disseminate the work carried out by the international body. “TSNN is very excited about this new partnership with UFI," Wimberly said. "UFI's role as the global association for the exhibition industry is the perfect complement to TSNN's broad reach into the industry worldwide." UFI is the premier global… more
May 20, 2015
The 2015 SEMA Show will expand into a new area to accommodate additional exhibitors during the show Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Located in the outside area on the south side of the venue (adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel), this new First-Time and Featured Exhibitors area also will include a transportation hub and serve as a primary thoroughfare into the SEMA Show. "Industry professionals value and rely on the SEMA Show to do business," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA  vice president of events and communications. "The expansion areas make it possible for businesses in the… more
May 18, 2015
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Atlantic City, N.J., as the destination for its 2016 World Education Congress (WEC). The conference will be held June 11-14 at the Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, a Caesars Entertainment property. “We look forward to hosting our World Education Congress in Atlantic City next year,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI. “When selecting venues for MPI events, we look for destinations that provide great infrastructure, world-class facilities and memorable experiences. Having grown up spending my summers… more
May 17, 2015
The latest in a series of webinars on TSNN is "Beyond the Hype: Discussing Effective Use of Trade Show Technology", on tap May 21 at 1 p.m. EST. Please register HERE. The use of technology in trade shows and expos has become ubiquitous. Event apps, paperless meetings, and social media walls are just par for the course. Our discussion in this webinar will be on the most effective ways to use technology at our trade shows and expos. Our panelists will discuss how they are using technology to build community, to market to attendees and exhibitors, and to gain insights into their audience. We… more
May 14, 2015
Spurred on by the tremendous response to the recycle program at this year’s NPE2015, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association decided to launch a new show next year – re|Focus: Recycling Summit and Expo. The goal of the show, according to organizers, is to assist brand owners, processors and the plastics supply chain to take their environmental goals from aspirational to operational. At NPE2015, which was held in April at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, 82 exhibitors participated in the program to recycle processing scrap generated on the showfloor, twice as many as at NPE2012… more
May 13, 2015
After conducting an official attendance audit, the Consumer Electronics Association released final numbers for the 2015 International CES, with a record-breaking 176,176 attendees flocking to the show in January in Las Vegas. At the same time, the association also unveiled plans to institute measures to cap next year’s show at 176,000 attendees in “an effort to ensure that attendees continue to have a quality experience,” according to show officials.   “With the growth of the consumer technology industry and the parallel growth of the International CES comes an increase in the… more
May 11, 2015
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International has rebranded its industry event for unmanned systems, drones and robotics to Xponential.  With nearly 600 exhibitors and 8,000 attendees, AUVSI's event attracts leaders in all aspects of the industry, from manufacturers to end users.  "Xponential encapsulates the tremendous growth and innovation in the unmanned systems industry, as well as the broad societal benefits of the technology," said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI.  He added, "Xponential will help the world understand the potential of this industry by… more
May 08, 2015
Experient and MGM Resorts International, in partnership with The Association of Equipment Manufacturers have released the whitepaper explaining why dynamic housing models work for the meetings and events industry. The whitepaper, “Modernize Your Room Block Pricing Model,” can be downloaded for free at http://info.experient-inc.com/modernize-room-block-pricing. The challenge for all meeting planners and event organizers is to sell the right rooms to the right customer at the right time for the right price. Planners and organizers need to obtain as many rooms as possible for the lowest… 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.