News

May 28, 2019
You know that incorporating corporate social responsibility activities during your events can be a win-win all around – for your attendees, charities in destinations that host your events, the destinations themselves, and of course, your organization. Yet you might be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.  While incorporating CSR can seem daunting, there are more resources than ever available to support planners in this process. To help inspire you to take that next step, Tammi Runzler, co-founder of CSRConnections, a corporate social responsibility company that helps match up… more
May 24, 2019
Tarsus Group, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, has received an offer and reached agreement with Charterhouse Capital Partners, a U.K. based private equity firm that previously owned Paris-based exhibitions company Comexposium. Under the offer, Tarsus shareholders will receive 425 pence in cash per share plus the final dividend for 2018 of 7.7p per share, subject to its approval by shareholders at the upcoming AGM. Commenting on the acquisition, Neville Buch, Tarsus’s Chairman, said: "I am delighted to announce that the Independent Tarsus Directors have reached… more
May 23, 2019
Industry veteran David Beckett is no stranger to events, having worked with Experient – a Maritz Global Events Company for the better part of the last two decades. Yet the former Clevelander, now Seattleite, this spring joined the team at Eventcore — a company providing enterprise-level event registration technology software — as senior vice president of professional services. His main role is to oversee the quality of service delivery with Eventcore’s clients and partners. TSNN sat down with Beckett in the midst of his big move out West to get his take on the latest trends and technologies… more
May 22, 2019
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has selected business and event technology provider SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals as the official audiovisual services contractor for Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2019, the association’s annual trade show and conference for exhibition and event industry professionals. At Expo! Expo!, which is set for Dec. 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, SmartSource will provide audiovisual equipment and production, digital signage and computer equipment. It will contract directly with… more
May 22, 2019
PCMA EduCon 2019 will take place June 25-28 at JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live. Known among PCMA’s portfolio of events for taking a more focused, practical approach to learning through small-scale, collaborative education sessions, the conference will bring in around 800 attendees (compared to PCMA’s annual Convening Leaders events, which draws 4,500). “At EduCon, each person will be able to tailor programs specifically for her own needs, in the format that best suits his learning style,” said Tonya Almond, PCMA’s vice president of knowledge and experience design. The conference will… more
May 21, 2019
In the past several years, C-level marketers across all industry segments have been putting more emphasis on — and budget toward — digital and experiential marketing, says Chris Cavanaugh, chief marketing officer at Freeman. Freeman, once known as Freeman Decorating Services, has long been known for exhibition logistics management and has grown into an experiential marketing powerhouse. According to the recent Ad Age Annual Agency report, which gives Freeman strong rankings, the experiential marketing category grew 2.1 percent in the U.S. over the past year, outpacing the “all marketing… more
May 21, 2019
It’s been a busy spring for the trade show industry so far, with event companies and organizations forging new business relationships and securing existing partnerships. SEMA Sticks with onPeak SEMA is continuing its partnership with onPeak to provide SEMA Show participants with housing options at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas for the 2019 show, set for Nov. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and the option to cancel without penalty, according to SEMA officials. “Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of… more
May 20, 2019
Is face-to-face marketing still relevant, and are there plans to use it moving forward? What is the image of the business-to-business exhibition channel today? A new report from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research aims to answer those questions — and more — from the perspective of marketing leaders. The first in the new “Head of Marketing Insights” series, “Overview of Marketing and Sales Approaches, Most Urgent Objectives, and Brand Image of the B2B Exhibition Channel to Support Needs” examines the perception of B2B exhibitions as a marketing channel. The report draws from survey… more
May 17, 2019
From Los Angeles to Germany, trade shows around the world saw higher attendance and larger exhibit floors than previous years last month. Take a look: DSE 2019 Digital Signage Expo—the world’s largest trade show and conference for digital displays and interactive technology—saw the second-largest attendance in its 16-year show history at its Las Vegas show this year, logging a 3 percent increase in end-user attendees over the previous year and a 6 percent increase in total verified attendance (4,260), which includes end-users along with system integrators and advertising executives. This… more
May 16, 2019
Event industry executives and technologists will have a chance to test new event-ready tech solutions at the second-annual TechDemo, to take place during the 18th annual Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum on May 29 at JW Marriott in Washington D.C. Produced by Lippman Connects, ECEF is an information-sharing and networking event for exhibition and convention industry executives, independent organizers and associations. ECEF’s expanded tech and networking experience will offer hands-on demonstrations of 11 ready-to-use event tech platforms, including: a2z Personify Next-Gen… 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.