News

Jan 02, 2012
AIPC - the International Association of Congress Centres, in conjunction with the IMEX Group, has chosen five aspiring convention center managers to receive a scholarship to participate in the 2012 AIPC Academy. "AIPC sees professional development as a key part of our association mandate, and the investment we have made in creating the AIPC Academy as one of the most highly regarded educational programs in the industry is evidence of this,” said AIPC President Edgar Hirt. He added, "However, we recognize that in these financially challenging times, not all centers are in… more
Jan 02, 2012
Trade shows aren’t the greenest of environments in the world, but the Consumer Electronic Association’s International CES, Jan. 10-13 at several venues around Las Vegas, is making an effort to be as sustainable as possible. “Our green and recycling efforts at the 2012 International CES are unprecedented for the largest annual event in the western hemisphere, covering more than 1.8 million square feet and welcoming more than 140,000 attendees,” said Gary Shapiro, CEA’s president and CEO. He added, “We’ve worked hard to ensure that we are using… more
Jan 02, 2012
When the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting kicks off Jan. 8-11 at the San Diego Convention Center, there’s plenty in store – from The Learning Lounge to the collocated Virtual Edge Summit to innovative keynotes, educations sessions and networking opportunities. This year, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting is working with PCMA once again to organize part of the 2012 Convening Leaders Learning Lounge. There will be more than 100-plus education opportunities from Big Ideas TED-style presentations to “How To” iPad sessions to “Bring… more
Jan 02, 2012
Eleven destination marketing organizations have achieved accreditation from Destination Marketing Association International‘s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). The accreditation program is designed to recognize DMOs that meet or exceed industry standards. "Congratulations to these eleven destinations for receiving their DMAP accreditation," said James T. Wood, chair of DMAP and president and CEO of the Louisville CVB. He added, "The DMAP process is a comprehensive review of a DMO's business procedures and accountability. These DMOs have shown… more
Dec 28, 2011
Boston has a lot to look forward to in 2012, with events booked at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center estimated to generate $625 million in economic impact and 601,000 hotel room nights, a 34-percent increase, compared with 446,596 room nights booked in 2011. In addition, 2012 will be the first time since 2007 room nights have broken the 600,000 mark, when there were 601,990 room nights booked from events at the Hynes and BCEC. “Our 2012 bookings clearly speak to our ability to generate significant impact for the… more
Dec 27, 2011
Several trade show companies lent a helping hand to those in need during the holiday season, giving away warm coats to kids, donating funds, iPads and iTunes gift cards to a school for special education and giving funds to a program for people with intellectual disabilities and a shelter for homeless and abused women and children. Dallas-based Hanley Wood Exhibitions set a goal of collecting as many warm coats as possible for kids in its local community through the Winter Coats for Kids Donation Drive. Shows in the Hanley Wood portfolio, such as World of Concrete and Remodeling/Deck… more
Dec 26, 2011
UFI, the Global Association of Exhibition Industry recently released several exhibition industry research reports detailing not only the number of venues and events worldwide, but also what types of companies are holding the events. UFI’s 2011 “World Map of Exhibition Venues” identified 1,197 venues, with a minimum of 5,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space. The total number of venues equals 32.6 million sq. m. of gross indoor exhibition space. This is an increase of 57 venues since 2006, with an overall growth of 3.4 million sq. m.  Fifty-four percent of… more
Dec 19, 2011
In the spirit of giving back to the community, UBM Asia recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity Thailand and helped build two homes for needy families within the Sanpatong district of Ching Mai. The project ran Nov. 24-25, and under a UBM Asia home building program named “United we Build and Make a difference”43 senior managers from across UBM Asia’s offices came together to pitch in to build the homes. “We are proud to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives, which improve the lives of families in need,” said Jimé Essink,… more
Dec 19, 2011
India-based jewellery trade magazine, The Art of Jewellery(AOJ), has acquired 100 percent of the HITEX International Gem and Jewellery Expo. The annual show was first launched in 2005 with the next edition due to be held next year July 20-22 at the HITEX Fair Grounds in Hyderabad. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was reportedly recently signed in Bangalore by Sumesh Wadhera, managing director and chief editor of AOJ and Sanjay Kapoor, COO of Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Limited. Sanjay Kapoor said, “We found… more
Dec 19, 2011
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre(MCEC) has announced the appointment of its new CEO Peter King. King currently is CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, where during his time he has overseen the Royal Easter Showand has played a part in securing government investment for the construction of a new stadium. MCEC trust chairman, Bob Annells, said, “With his valuable range of skills, Peter will be instrumental in providing higher level strategic planning and management input as the MCEC business grows over the coming years in an increasingly competitive… 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.