Jul 15, 2014
Dr. Robert Gates, former secretary of defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, has been tapped as a closing general session speaker at the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores )Show, which takes place Oct. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011 under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
“Dr. Gates will deliver a compelling behind-the-scenes view of world events over the past quarter century, as well as the context for how current affairs could affect and reshape our… more
Jul 15, 2014
Educational meetings are becoming a major piece of business for Atlanta, with 8 percent of their total bookings currently in this sector and that number is expected to rise in the future.
The latest educational meeting to come to town was the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which had a record-breaking number of attendee registrants for their annual Conference and Expo, held June 28-July 1 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
ISTE 2014 drew 16,039 registered attendees, representing an increase of 2,500 registrants, compared with their previous record.
ISTE will… more
Jul 15, 2014
The American Society of Association Executives is set to honor six associations with the 2014 Summit Award, which is the highest recognition under the organization’s The Power of A Awards. The six organizations will accept their awards Oct. 1 during the 15th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
The winners were selected by the Power of A Awards Judging Committee, which received more than 90 applications this year.
The awards are part of The Power of A campaign, which ASAE launched in 2009 to increase awareness about issues that impact… more
Jul 14, 2014
Nominations now are being accepted online for the longstanding awards program honoring show managers who exemplify excellence in their field.
Since 2000, The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards have been presented to “individuals who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community,” according to TEG officials.
"Our independent panel of judges struggles annually to choose winners from among the group of smart, talented professionals," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. "We need your help to make it just as hard… more
Jul 14, 2014
After being hit hard by increased competition with legalized gambling proliferating throughout the East Coast, Atlantic City, N.J., which used to be one of the very few places to play the slots or tables in the U.S., is going through a major reinvention.
The past few weeks have been filled with tough news for the city, with the storied Showboat Casino slated for closure, as well as the just-announced Trump Hotel and Casino and the possibility of the two-year-old, $2.4 billion Revel casino property as well, if it doesn’t find a buyer.
“The fact is that Atlantic City is a destination in… more
Jul 09, 2014
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has unveiled the 2013 TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Show list of rankings.
Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in Canada. The full list can be found at: http://www.tsnn.com/toplists-cdn.
Snagging the No. 1 spot once again for 2013 was Regina Exhibition Association’s Canada's Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,232,670 net square foot showfloor at Evraz Place in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The show, held last year in June, also drew 843… more
Jul 09, 2014
June was a very good month for the city of Boston, with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority signing 38 contracts for events, breaking the previous best-month record of 30 events booked in December 2005.
The events signed in June are expected to generate 472,787 future hotel room nights in the city, which also tops the December 2007 previous high month of 435,484 room nights by 8.5 percent.
“As we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the BCEC this summer, it’s nice to also celebrate yet another record-breaker,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA.… more
Jul 08, 2014
Starting next month and expected to take a year to complete, the Los Angeles Convention Center will receive a $10 million upgrade designed to “enhance the customer experience and to help attract new shows,” according to Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board officials.
Work will occur around shows and events scheduled in the center.
“The planned changes inside the Convention Center complement the changes taking place outside the Center, including new hotels, restaurants, shopping and cultural offerings throughout Downtown L.A.,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president… more
Jul 07, 2014
There seems to be no slowing down for the Chinese exhibition industry, with the country posting the most growth in five years, as well as a plethora of new centers being built.
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released the 10th edition of its annual Report on the Trade Fair Industry in Asia, and net space sold in the overall Asian trade show market jumped by 6.6 percent in 2013 to more than 17.3 million net square meters (186 million net square feet), compared with 16.31 million net sq. m. (175 million net sq. ft.) in 2012.
Of that total, more than 55 percent was sold… more
Jul 06, 2014
In the past 23 years, as Galaxy evolved to modern-day Experient, Mike Godsey has not only seen the once omnipresent magstripe come to life, but also its demise, followed immediately by its evolution into what is being used today for lead retrieval on the showfloor.
When Galaxy first started in the event registration business 30 years ago, Godsey, who is Experient’s senior vice president of market development, said, “there used to be registration forms that were mailed in and one by one keyed into a rudimentary computer system.”
With the advent of computers came data… 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.