News
Jul 20, 2023
Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), unveiled new offerings with Klik, the onsite wearable technology that the company acquired in 2021. The additions include two major updates to Klik Experiential, its wearable event technology for B2B conferences and flagship events: The Edge, an innovative update to its SmartBadge™, and Klik à la Carte, a new individual option for non-Bizzabo customers.
“We’re excited about The Edge because it’s the sleekest SmartBadge™ yet,” said Alon Alroy, co-founder and CMO of Bizzabo. “The Edge offers the same data collection, engagement and… more
Jul 19, 2023
The exhibition industry has made a significant recovery in 2023 and has reached pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the world, according to UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s 2023 Global Exhibition Barometer, a biannual research report offering comprehensive insights into the current state of the exhibition industry, including its post-pandemic recovery and emerging trends and challenges.
In 2023, the exhibition industry revenues are expected to reach 97% of the 2019 levels on average globally, according to the report. In the first half of 2023, 79% of companies… more
Jul 18, 2023
The Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan., has launched a full-service program designed to show appreciation, reduce costs and elevate the live event experience for convention and trade show producers, exhibitors and general service contractors.
Aptly named the OPCC Exhibition Advantage, this first-of-its-kind, industry-leading initiative features a cashback loyalty program, 50% discount at concessions, free internet access and digital content displays, live camera feeds in the show office, time-lapse video, equipment and tool sharing, swag bags, complimentary coffee and… more
Jul 17, 2023
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) signed an agreement with Walt Disney World to offer a new Gold Key Partnership, which provides exclusive benefits for trade shows, corporate events, exhibitors and attendees at OCCC.
Walt Disney World was a Gold Key Partner with OCCC prior to the pandemic, and the venue has existing partnership agreements with Universal and SeaWorld.
“In June, one trade show had a buyout at Universal and hosted all its attendees for a reception at the park,” OCCC Deputy Director Eric Blanc told TSNN. “We encourage clients to embrace being in Orlando by hosting… more
Jul 14, 2023
Fanatics, a global digital sports platform valued at $31 billion, and IMG, an events and talent management company that’s part of public company Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., have launched Fanatics Events to bring communities together at live events to celebrate all aspects of fandom, including sports, collectibles, memorabilia, fashion, music and entertainment.
Fanatics Events, which is majority owned by Fanatics with IMG as a minority partner, will create fan festivals that feature athletes and brands from across the industry, limited edition apparel drops, musical performances and… more
Jul 14, 2023
On the heels of posting its strongest fiscal year in nearly a decade for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — and many more to come this year and in 2024 — Discover Puerto Rico is further stepping up event marketing efforts with groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) technology.
Through a strategic partnership, Discover Puerto Rico has become the first destination marketing organization to partner with CyberDyme, a leading provider of virtual reality sales and marketing solutions, to provide an immersive sales presentation experience for prospective event clients through its… more
Jul 13, 2023
Last month, the largest annual exhibition and conference for the commercial audiovisual (AV) and information communications industries brought AV professionals from across the globe together again to connect, learn and celebrate a resilient industry on the cutting edge of technological innovation.
Held June 10-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., InfoComm 2023 hosted a vibrant week of showcasing innovative products and solutions, a wide-ranging education program and numerous networking events while enjoying a strong surge in attendee and exhibitor participation. … more
Jul 11, 2023
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville, Fla., is currently undergoing extensive renovations designed to improve the appearance and functionality of its meeting and convention spaces while elevating the event experience for planners and groups attending events in Jacksonville.
The renovation project, which began in April, includes a full facelift of the historic venue’s more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition spaces, including the main Exhibit Hall featuring 78,000 square feet of exhibit space, 33-foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes… more
Jul 10, 2023
Exhibitions remain a valued sales and marketing channel among event teams and their senior leadership, but global inflation — along with increasing exhibit costs — is changing the way budgets are distributed between events or decreasing per-event spend on in-person events in 2023, according to a Exhibit Leader Insights 2023 report released in June. Budget cuts for exhibit-related activities may be looming for those who are struggling to demonstrate exhibit ROI against business and commercial objectives.
Findings from the report shed light on the dynamic nature of exhibit marketing in… more
Jul 07, 2023
A government crackdown on impersonation fraud targeting the business events industry may soon become a reality thanks to efforts spearheaded by the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA) and its 10 professional and trade associations, in addition to numerous other industry entities that make up the face-to-face business events industry.“For far too long, the industry has been preyed upon by the hotel reservation scams and the attendee list scams that not only harm our events but are also a form of identity theft for all the people who get targeted by these scammers,” said Tommy Goodwin,… more
Partner Voices
Every day, MGM Resorts hosts organizations and individuals from around the world with a diverse array of business purposes, needs and expectations. But they all have one thing in common—a host committed to making their meetings sustainable and unforgettable through close partnership and responsible meeting practices.
Harnessing the Sun
Meetings at MGM Resorts are predominantly powered by the sun, thanks to its innovative 100-megawatt solar array. As the largest directly sourced renewable electricity project in the hospitality industry, the solar array features 323,000 panels and produces up to 100% of MGM Resorts’ daytime power needs in Las Vegas.* Built in 2021, the solar array reduces the carbon footprint of meetings—and all of MGM Resorts—while still delivering an enlightening and electrifying guest experience.
Leading Water Stewardship
Knowing water is essential to operations, guests and employees, MGM Resorts has long employed various conservation measures and has doubled down on its commitment in recent years to become a leading corporate water steward. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate, a United National Global Compact, becoming the first gaming company to endorse the initiative. The company replaced more than 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas and pledged to reduce water use by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. Between 2007 and 2022, MGM Resorts saved more than 6 billion gallons of water through water conservation.
Fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
MGM Resorts serves a world of diverse people, perspectives and experiences by cultivating a workforce culture that embraces all of humanity. From mindful recruitment and hiring practices to meaningful social responsibility initiatives, MGM Resorts is a welcoming and inclusive space for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members and more. The company’s commitment to supplier diversity drives innovation by extending competitive opportunities to local and diverse-owned suppliers, while the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program provides diverse-owned businesses tools and resources to enhance and grow their businesses.
Paying it Forward
MGM Resorts knows that great companies must serve the greater good. That’s why paying it forward is part of its approach to meetings and events. Through the Feeding Forward Program, MGM Resorts collects and preserves unserved and untouched food from conventions held at its properties, then safely donates to food-insecure people through a partnership with Three Square, Southern Nevada’s primary food bank. Since 2016, MGM Resorts has donated more than 3.7 million meals, with a goal of 5 million meal donations by 2025. Donations include unserved perishable prepared foods from events, perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens and nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses.
From world-class venues and experiences to industry leading responsible meeting practices, MGM Resorts is proud to host meaningful and sustainable events.
*Not including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas