Jan 22, 2015
It may have been cold in Chicago in the second week of January, but that didn’t stop a record amount of attendees from coming to the Windy City for the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders annual meeting.
From Jan. 11-14, there were 4,128 convention managers and suppliers who packed McCormick Place West, taking part in educational sessions, keynotes and a bevy of networking and charity events throughout the city.
The 2015 event topped the 2014 record-breaking one in Boston, which drew nearly 4,000 attendees.
“This year’s program was designed to challenge the most… more
Jan 20, 2015
At last week’s North American International Auto Show Charity Preview in Detroit’s Cobo Center, at which more than 14,000 attendees dressed in tuxes and evening gowns took part, an interesting thing happened on the showfloor.
Several of the exhibitors, which were the largest car manufacturers from around the world, had really fun, interactive and engaging things to do that not only showed off their products, but also created buzz.
With more than 800,000 attendees expected throughout last weekend and this week, it’s an opportune time for the companies to grab people’s attention.
Over at the… more
Jan 20, 2015
The Professional Convention Management Association not only brought thousands of convention managers to Chicago for a few days of networking and education last week during its Convening Leaders annual event, but it also gave back to the local community through several programs.
“These programs are one way of expressing our sincere thanks to this tremendous community. After our members leave, we hope these donations will leave a lasting impact on the communities, who need assistance in the Chicagoland area.” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA
Program: Party With A Purpose… more
Jan 19, 2015
The International Association of Exhibitions & Events had a very busy 2014 as evidenced by the list of accomplishments it had throughout the year.
"2014 was an incredibly busy year for IAEE," said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. "I am very proud of the committees, task forces and staff who have worked tirelessly to fulfill objectives set forth in our strategic plan, including our two main pillars of focus – Education and Advocacy."
Education Highlights
· Total Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) recipient growth was up 23.8 percent… more
Jan 17, 2015
FABTECH, an event for metal forming, fabricating, finishing and welding, experienced its most successful Atlanta show to date, exceeding attendance, exhibitor and floor space records.
More than 30,800 attendees from more than 70 countries visited Atlanta for this year’s conference, held Nov. 11-13 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
FABTECH 2014 generated an increase of 40 percent in attendance, more than the 2010 expo in Atlanta, resulting in a direct economic impact of more than $38.7 million.
Nearly 1,500 exhibitors covered more than 550,000 net square feet with live equipment… more
Jan 15, 2015
An uptick in holiday sales to $616.1 billion, a 4 percent year-over-year increase, was just one piece of good news for the retail industry during the record-breaking Retail’s BIG Show held this week in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
“Today’s holiday retail sales results are welcome news for our industry and for our economy,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
He added, “There is every reason to believe that we have moved well beyond the days of consumer pessimism and that the trajectory for retailers continues to point up.”
The trade show, owned and… more
Jan 14, 2015
After considering other destinations, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) decided to keep its annual trade show RECon in Las Vegas for another two years with the option for a three-year extension.
ICSC's current contract runs through 2017. The new contract begins in 2018 to potentially 2022, if the extension is exercised.
ICSC presented the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board with a demo check to the Las Vegas community for $223 million, which is the estimated non-gaming impact of the show for Southern Nevada.
"We are excited to keep RECon in Las Vegas, where it… more
Jan 13, 2015
The Consumer Electronic Association’s 2015 International CES presented attendees from around the world, with the latest in autonomous cars, wearable technology, the Internet of Things and much more Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas.
The world’s largest tech event just keeps growing, taking over the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, much of the Sands Expo Convention Center and parts of Aria.
This year’s show featured 3,600 exhibitors spread out over 2.2 million net square feet of space, or as Tara Dunion, senior director of communications for CEA, likes to say, “that’s 35 football fields of technology… more
Jan 08, 2015
The good news is that of companies polled for UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s 14th Global Barometer Survey, the majority of them have seen positive turnover since 2011. However, 41 percent of those surveyed didn’t think the worldwide economic crisis was over as of yet.
In addition, while there were profits in 2014, less than one company out of two saw annual profits rise more than 10 percent.
“In a globally fragile economic environment, the exhibition industry continues to demonstrate a fairly good performance, except in some countries with specific current issues,”… more
Jan 06, 2015
Several thousand convention managers and suppliers to the industry will be heading to the Windy City’s McCormick Place Jan. 11-14 to take part in the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual Convening Leaders event.
This year will have a lot to live up to, with last year’s event in Boston drawing the highest attendance in the event’s history, nearly 4,000 attendees.
Chicago is a major base for associations, so there likely will be once again a huge turnout to this year’s event.
Convening Leaders kicks off Sunday with an opening party – Hyde Away Chicago – at the Museum of… 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.