News

Jul 08, 2021
Many of the hospitality professionals providing services to events during the pandemic are eagerly awaiting a chance to convene with their peers. In August, two such shows catering to some of the hardest hit industries resume in-person gatherings. Rather than look back upon the unchangeable past, both are assembling with eyes toward a productive and positive future. Here, we preview the National Association for Catering and Events Experience Conference, Aug. 1-4 at the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-6 in Dallas. NACE Experience… more
Jul 07, 2021
As trade shows begin to trickle back in person as the industry prepares for a deluge this fall, virtual events are going stronger than ever. Take a look at some successful digital gatherings that happened recently:  ASAE With overarching themes of “Do Big Things,” “Lead Big Tasks,” “Take Big Steps” and “Have Big Ideas,” ASAE’s virtual Marketing, Membership, & Communications Conference 2021 focused on the opportunities associations have to move forward with fresh and robust campaigns following a year of rapid changes and challenges.  “MMCC was filled with the sharing of inspiring ideas… more
Jul 07, 2021
Raccoon Events is built upon the guiding principle that runners slow down to walk trade show aisles and — dare to dream, sit — for inspirational keynotes. Having successfully launched two run shows in the United Kingdom, where the health- and wellness-minded company is based, it is time to step across the pond. Run Show USA, as the American version is dubbed, is off to a brisk pace planning for 2022. Its initial show will debut Jan. 29-30 at Hynes Convention Center in Boston, and a second event at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago was recently announced for June 4-5. A third… more
Jul 06, 2021
Executing an event perfectly every single time doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. A design that is supported by a rock-solid strategy and technology to activate this strategy. Customer support that comes with your event platform is crucial for success. Here are four reasons to invest in a hybrid event platform that provides dedicated customer support. 1. Simplifies Platform Adoption A dedicated customer support team will define how your most recent purchase will be adopted and implemented within the organization. 21.1% of tech professionals attributed the lack of tech… more
Jul 05, 2021
Las Vegas has been busy setting the stage for the next generation of meetings and conventions with a slew of new state-of-the-art venues. Now home to 14 million square feet of meeting, conference and exhibition space, the iconic desert destination offers planners more exciting options than ever, with more than 2 million square feet of new space and three resorts launched in the past 18 months alone. “That additional space will allow Las Vegas to host more meetings and it will allow our current clients to grow their business,” said John Schreiber, vice president of business sales for the Las… more
Jul 05, 2021
A walk down memory lane might do some good when pondering the road ahead for trade shows. Channing Muller, a public relations specialist in the events industry, thinks back to her days playing SimCity when it first emerged in the 1990s. She wasn’t alone. The game in which players created their own environment, filled with different zones, and then explored it for hours at a time, captivated millions on the internet. “Now people can do that for business,” said Muller. Intrado Digital Media President Ben Chodor, meanwhile, turns to the times he’d watch the big screen at the 92nd Street YMCA… more
Jul 02, 2021
The deluge of hiring and promoting continues in the trade show industry, with a plethora of event-related organizations appointing new leaders and boosting existing team members up the organizational ladder. Check them out:  Visit Phoenix Following an extensive nationwide search, the executive committee of Visit Phoenix has appointed Ron Price as president and CEO. He brings 25 years of experience in the tourism industry to his leadership role, most recently serving as president and CEO of the Arlington Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau, and prior to that, as the assistant executive… more
Jul 02, 2021
Staff of Ungerboeck and EventBooking recently broke bread together in St. Louis. Think of it as a “getting to know you” event with the specific purpose of smoothly combining the forces of two of the event industry’s leading software companies. The merger, announced in May, pools the resources of leading technologies for event and venue management. It is part of a growing trend of consolidation as companies in all sectors seek a path forward in a post-pandemic world and recovering economy. In this case, said Ungerboeck President and CEO Manish Chandak, the real winners will be the organizers… more
Jul 01, 2021
Maybe it’s because Soundings Founder Tracy Judge makes it her mission to match companies with relevant freelance event professionals that she could see the early signs of a talent crisis. Now that the pandemic is receding, Judge is no longer ahead of her time in raising the alarms about how short-staffed teams are going to operate events.  Across all aspects of the industry, labor shortages will cause anything from headaches to cancellations for the foreseeable future. American Airlines has warned that it will be forced to cancel more than 100 flights weekly into July because it can’t… more
Jun 30, 2021
Like many key aspects of events, food and beverage is having a moment of adaptation as the industry looks to a post-COVID future. For example, buffets aren’t gone completely, but they will look a little different for a while, with health and safety expected to remain a major concern at events for the foreseeable future. But pandemic or no pandemic, F&B remains one of the most discussed aspects of an event, according to Tracy Stuckrath, chief connection officer at Thrive Meetings & Events. She believes that smart planning can help planners turn a complicated event feature into a golden… 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.