News

Feb 10, 2022
Membership renewal is mission-critical to healthy and sustainable growth for associations. But the pandemic and its impact have created new challenges for associations of all sizes.  According to the 2021 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report, 47% of associations reported declines in total membership, while 50% have reported that members are most likely not to renew because of a lack of engagement. Enabling meaningful engagement in an increasingly virtual and distraction-laden world is quite a challenge! Here are some actionable tips to ensure a member-centric engagement plan for 2022… more
Feb 09, 2022
By the close of the Winter 2022 Atlanta Market, exhibiting brands were touting shattered sales records as attendees demonstrated their buying power, eagerly sourcing new brands, products and trends across the bustling event. Held Jan. 11-18 at AmericasMart Atlanta, the country’s leading gift, décor and lifestyle market proved to be a veritable epicenter of buying activity, hosting retailers and designers from all 50 states and 39 countries. “Based on the reports of record-breaking sales and growth in order size, it appears that buyers found what they were looking for [at Atlanta Market]—and… more
Feb 08, 2022
Caesars Entertainment is gearing up to bring a renowned casino brand to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip this year. Starting this spring, Bally’s Las Vegas will begin its transformation into Horseshoe Las Vegas, an iconic, historic brand originally created by gambling magnate Benny Binion more than 70 years ago.  The multimillion-dollar project, which will take place in stages, will include a renovated exterior, new entertainment and food and beverage options and a reimagined casino floor and public areas. In keeping with the classic sophistication the Horseshoe brand is known for, the… more
Feb 07, 2022
A slew of promotions, as well as new hires and some executive retirements, continue as the trade show industry forges ahead toward recovery. Check out all the recent appointments and transitions happening at event-related organizations throughout the U.S. and beyond. SEMA After more than three decades of service, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) President and CEO Chris Kersting has retired. Kersting joined SEMA in 1996 to lead the organization’s Washington, D.C, office as vice president of legislative and technical affairs, later taking the helm as SEMA’s CEO in 2002 and… more
Feb 02, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) and Lippman Connects, producer of information-sharing and networking experiences for the convention and exhibition industry, have teamed up to continue fostering professionalism among event organizers.  Under the agreement, TSNN will be the exclusive media partner for Lippman Connects Roundtables, a series of eight events in several U.S. locations throughout 2022 that will focus on attendee acquisition, exhibit sales and large shows. TSNN will raise industry awareness of the roundtables, provide readers with discounts to attend, offer on-site insights and… more
Feb 02, 2022
Clearco, the world's largest e-commerce investor and the company revolutionizing the way founders grow their businesses, today announced the launch of an extended partnership with FounderMade, a Tarsus company. This revised partnership includes the launch of a new $20M fund which will help provide equity-free capital and financial tools to grow and scale D2C and e-commerce businesses in the FounderMade ecosystem.  As part of this newly revised partnership, Clearco will launch FounderU—the first-ever D2C business training program designed specifically for high-growth entrepreneurs in the… more
Feb 01, 2022
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees now have a calming and comforting space to retreat to and regroup when feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated while attending events at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) in Overland Park, Kan.   As the first convention center in the world to offer a dedicated space for attendees with autism, anxiety, dementia, PTSD or other similar conditions, the OPCC created its sensory-inclusive room in partnership with KultureCity, a leading national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs,… more
Jan 31, 2022
Following a pause in plans due to the pandemic, the Fort Worth City Council recently approved $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the first phase of a planned expansion of the city-owned Forth Worth Convention Center (FWCC).  The downtown facility’s $500 million expansion, which had been in the planning stages for several years to attract and accommodate larger trade shows and meetings, was about to begin with robust funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020, according to city officials.  “We had our first meeting with… more
Jan 28, 2022
Technology continues to evolve at mind-boggling speed, as the world becomes increasingly digital and attendees demand more engaging and creative ways to connect both in person and online. We checked in with four industry leaders to get their take on 2022 event tech trends: Julius Solaris, vice president of marketing strategy, events, Hopin; Cathy Song Novelli, senior vice president, marketing and communications, Hubilo; Josh Hotsenpiller, CEO, JUNO; and Sarah Soliman, president and CEO, Soliman Productions. Read on for their valuable insights! Julius Solaris 1. Data to drive… more
Jan 27, 2022
More and more face-to-face trade shows and events are going live again, and that’s great news for a beleaguered industry that has faced tremendous challenges during the past two years.   TSNN asked five industry leaders from leading trade show companies—Greg Topalian, CEO, Clarion Events North America; Nancy Walsh, president, Informa Markets North America; Hervé Sedky, president and CEO, Emerald; Karen Chupka, executive vice president, CES, Consumer Technology Association (CTA); and Douglas Emslie, CEO, Tarsus Group—why they believe it’s time for trade shows to be held in person again 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.