News

Sep 09, 2022
  Personify, a leading technology solutions provider for associations, nonprofits and event professionals, launched its first-ever A2Z Event Professionals Awards. The new awards program was established to celebrate the agility, creativity and innovation in today’s events and associations industries.   “So many awards are focused on revenue or square footage,” said Rich Vallaster, director of event marketing at Personify. “While those are critical components to an event’s success, recognizing the ideas of all sizes and the people and teams who have had a huge impact in the industry is why we… more
Sep 08, 2022
The IMEX Group unveiled details of its education program for IMEX America 2022, set to zero in on modern-day challenges and hot topics as industry professionals navigate a new normal for events. In creating the education program for this year’s show, which takes place Oct. 10-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the goal was “radical simplicity,” according to Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “We know meeting and event industry professionals are overrun, overwhelmed and seeking clarity, so this year’s learning sessions deliver bold content designed to cut to the heart of… more
Sep 07, 2022
Creating year-round community engagement has become one of the most important marketing goals for event professionals, and epIQ Creative Group, a marketing agency producing multi-channel systems that drive demand to brands, is aiming to help them achieve it through its latest acquisition. The company has purchased Community Leaders Institute (CLI), a member-based organization representing thousands of community professionals, including those in the events industry, and plans to create new and exciting opportunities for members to engage and grow. “CLI, as the foremost independent… more
Sep 06, 2022
Global trade show organizer Clarion Events tapped events industry veteran Lisa Hannant to become its new CEO, effective Oct. 1. Hannant joined Clarion in 2008 and in 2013 was appointed to its board as group managing director, responsible for driving international expansion, during which time the company grew significantly in key U.S., European and Asian markets. She also currently serves on the board of SISO as secretary-treasurer. “It’s a huge privilege to be leading the company as it enters the next stage of its growth and evolution,” Hannant said. “Like the rest of the industry, we’ve… more
Sep 06, 2022
U.K.-based global events, data and media platform Arc has acquired its first U.S.-based business, HighQuest, producers of media and events for the global agribusiness sector.  Announced on Aug. 24, the transaction includes the events and media assets of Boston-based HighQuest and its annual summits held in the U.S., U.K. and Japan. These include Global AgInvesting (GAI), the world’s largest gatherings of agriculture investors and sector stakeholders; Unconventional Ag (UA); Ag Club; and Women in Agribusiness (WIA), a network platform at the forefront of women’s excellence in agribusiness… more
Sep 02, 2022
The Atlanta CVB has become one of the first destination marketing organizations to embrace the metaverse with the launch of a marketing platform designed to allow event professionals and prospective visitors to explore the city and its venues through a rendered 3D virtual experience. Atlanta Meta World is a visually realistic virtual world representation of Atlanta that enables users to discover the city while interacting with other virtual visitors and representatives of venues and ACVB in real time, in addition to viewing presentations on and the latest developments in the city. “If… more
Sep 02, 2022
IMEX Group has long been a leader in sustainable event initiatives, and the findings in the recently released IMEX America 2021 Sustainable Event Report are proving that its efforts are substantially paying off. With the impressive results from the 2021 show, in addition to the recent stark reminders of the increasing impact of climate change—record-high temperatures, wildfires and flooding—IMEX America 2022 is set to shine an even stronger light on the importance of green events. “At IMEX, we’ve always set our sustainability sights high,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group. “For… more
Sep 01, 2022
Growing up in a culinary family in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Chef Lumarie Rodríguez-Soto initially avoided a career in the culinary arts. As a young woman, she tried pursuing other career paths, but her innate creativity and love for baking eventually led her back to the kitchen and then to culinary school at La Escuela Hotelera de Puerto Rico, where she honed her skills, grew her knowledge and perfected her craft.  “Almost everybody in my family—my grandma, my mom and my brother—works in a kitchen, [and] I saw the behind-the-scenes, non-glamorous side of the business, so I knew how hard… more
Aug 30, 2022
A leading exhibit builder and an event planning company recently launched new divisions in an effort to expand their business offerings and help clients boost the performance of their events. Skyline Exhibits Skyline Exhibits, a leading trade show exhibit company, unveiled a new live, virtual and hybrid events agency focused on synchronizing live event elements to increase reach and return on investment. Announced on Aug. 16, BrandSync is designed to help brands improve their business performance by joining with their top stakeholders to align messaging, values and direction, and by… more
Aug 29, 2022
Known for attracting buyers and retailers of all sizes who converge to source excess fashion inventory at up to 70% off retail prices, the biannual OFFPRICE Show has been historically known as the nation’s largest off-price fashion industry trade show. Held Aug. 6-9 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, the 55th edition experienced an uptick in participation, with attendees enthusiastically shopping from a cornucopia of apparel, beauty, home and gift products, as well as the show’s newest highlighted category section, Accessories.  Produced by Tarsus Group, the value-based apparel show takes… 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.