Apr 11, 2023
The U.S. B2B exhibitions industry is continuing a robust rebound and demonstrating a continued improvement in Q4 2022 from the previous 11 quarters, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s (CEIR) 2022 Fourth Quarter Index results, which was released in late March.   Figure 1: B2B Exhibition Industry Cancellation Rate, %   The cancellation rate for in-person trade shows and events dropped to 1.3%, a substantial improvement compared to 97.9% in Q4 2020 and 14.8% in Q4 2021. This relatively low cancellation rate and the continued improvement in metrics outcomes for completed… more
Apr 10, 2023
Attendees and exhibitors are continuing to eagerly return to in-person trade shows, and the momentum of many B2B events and the industries they serve appear to be showing no sign of slowing down. Case in point: The ARA Show and Intersolar North America (ISNA) and Energy Storage North America (ESNA), which took place on opposite sides of the U.S. during the same week in Orlando, Fla., and Long Beach, Calif., respectively. Here’s a summary of these two successful events and what show organizers say was the secret to their robust attendance this year. The ARA Show 2023 Upon the completion of… more
Apr 06, 2023
Independent trade show executives, suppliers and industry media convened March 20-23 for the 2023 Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) CEO Summit at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas.  The four-day event offered content on a wide variety of topics, from a global economic forecast and an update on the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative to a study on DEI at the top 20 exhibition companies and research on next-gen event-goers. As in years past, the attendee and speaker list featured a who’s who of industry leaders (see who attended in 2023 here). The Tarsus team, which publishes TSNN… more
Apr 05, 2023
After 11 years as president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), David DuBois will retire effective Dec. 31, 2023. DuBois will lead the association through its strategic growth initiatives in 2023 and continue to build on his legacy of advancing IAEE’s mission and member community. “IAEE is a large and diverse global association that represents a vast ecosystem,” DuBois said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the exhibitions and events industry's trade association, and over the months ahead, my goal is for IAEE to continue delivering valuable… more
Apr 03, 2023
Workplace culture can have a direct impact on the overall success of an organization, as it affects how employees perceive their jobs, colleagues and their employer. When staff are happy and motivated in their work environment, they tend to be more productive and engaged, as well as more likely to stay at a company long-term, thus reducing turnover and contributing to the organization’s productivity and financial success. Contrast that with a toxic work culture that often leads to high employee turnover, low productivity and morale, as well as difficulties in attracting new talent, and it’s… more
Mar 31, 2023
E3, the world’s premier celebration of interactive entertainment, will not take place in person or digitally this year, according to an announcement by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and ReedPop, the show’s organizer.  Last July, ESA partnered with ReedPop, a boutique division of RX, to spearhead the long-awaited return of E3 to the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2023. The event, which was scheduled to take place June 13-16, had not been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put toward… more
Mar 31, 2023
Event Tech Live (ETL) has launched its first hosted buyer program for its shows in Las Vegas and London using the MustMeet platform by Grip, a leading AI-powered event tech provider built for meetings and matchmaking. Grip’s MustMeet product, a powerful meeting scheduling system for event organizers, is being used by ETL to automatically schedule, manage and host a range of meetings for buyers and suppliers.    “Our hosted buyer initiative is about expediting the ETL experience for brands and businesses typically unable to commit a day to the show,” said Adam Parry, co-founder of ETL. “… more
Mar 30, 2023
The Kentucky General Assembly has passed legislation that includes a revision (from 6% to 0%) to the commonwealth’s sales tax on exhibit and sponsor space rental for face-to-face business events. Signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 24, it states that business event organizers will be exempt from charging sales tax to their exhibitors and sponsors, essentially reversing a new 6% tax that went into effect on Jan. 1. Some trade show organizers began collecting taxes from exhibitors and sponsors to be in compliance with the new law, while others informed exhibitors who signed new… more
Mar 29, 2023
Global B2B events, data and media platform Arc, which is backed by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, has tapped 25-year events industry veteran Mary Larkin as Americas CEO and Executive Committee member. In her new leadership role, she will be responsible for leading the company’s Americas businesses on its growth journey and will work alongside Americas Executive Vice President Tim Hart to further develop Arc’s North American business. The announcement comes on the heels of two U.S.-based acquisitions that Arc has made within the past seven months that have added substantial… more
Meet Ribbon
Mar 27, 2023
The rise of e-commerce, the impact of the pandemic, the desire for hybrid events: Our industry continues to transform in radical ways. Our panelists decipher what these pivots mean and forecast what’s to come during our roundtable. Ribbon’s CEO Vinit Patil was joined by a panel of industry insiders to analyze something on everyone’s mind: the future of market centers. To bring in a European perspective, he was joined by Jimmy MacDonald, the Founder of the London Design Fair and Ribbon’s Global Fairs Liaison Director. Jesse James, VP and Show Director at International Market Centers and… 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.