Jun 02, 2013
George Little Management’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair is experiencing a growth streak, with the recent show scoring 12-percent growth in attendance and 14-percent growth for the size of the showfloor, both compared to the previous year’s show. More than 29,642 attendees flocked to the 165,000 net square foot showfloor May 18-21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. “We’re thrilled that the ICFF is experiencing this unprecedented growth spurt 25 years into its existence,” said Kevin O’Keefe, senior vice president of GLM. He… more
Jun 01, 2013
Lack of funding, provided by the San Diego-based Tourism Marketing District, almost led to the complete closure of the San Diego Tourism Authority, which would have resulted in 85 people losing their jobs and a halt to the city’s sales and marketing efforts. SDTA operations were meant to cease June 3, but on May 31, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner signed a last-minute deal to release $5.7 million to the TMD that allowed the SDTA, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, to stay open for business. The spat originated because of a 2-percent hotel tax that equals about $30 million… more
May 31, 2013
With 52 percent of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ membership being women and 24 percent of those in C-level positions, the organization heeded the call from its ranks and launched the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum May 29-30 in Washington, D.C. Seventy suppliers and show organizers gathered to hear from CEOs from within the trade show industry, as well as speakers such as Betsy Myers, founding director of the center for Women and Business at Bentley University and author of “Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and… more
May 27, 2013
The National Association of Music Merchants recently named Cindy Sample director of Trade Show Operations, overseeing the association’s events. Sample previously held the position as operations director for Nielsen Expositions, where she worked on shows such as Outdoor Retailer and ASD Las Vegas. "It is critically important to us that our members have an amazing experience at NAMM's trade events," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. He added, "Cindy's reputation as a creative, innovative and visionary professional, as well as her 18 years of trade show… more
May 26, 2013
Wireless technology got plenty of celebrity action as Jennifer Lopez and Ashton Kutcher took center stage at CTIA 2013 Mobile Marketplace that took place May 21-23 at the Sands Convention Center. The event drew about 35,000 attendees, many of whom were watching the keynotes on their mobile devices. Exhibitor count and square footage were on par with 2012, when about 1,000 exhibitors took up 297,903 net square feet.   As mobile technology has become ubiquitous in just about any industry, CTIA is gearing up to launch Super Mobility Week in September of 2014 that will bring together CTIA… more
May 22, 2013
As part of a strategic partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, Hanley Wood has acquired the Greenbuild Conference & Expo. “The U.S. Green Building Council has established Greenbuild as the must-attend event in the sustainable construction industry, making this acquisition a natural fit for Hanley Wood,” said Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. He added, “Greenbuild is a powerful community driven by a passion for creating a socially responsible and healthy environment that improves our quality of life. We are excited to partner with USGBC and advance the… more
May 20, 2013
For a long time, trade show organizers wanting to expand their portfolios cast their eyes on the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries, but recently, they have started taking a closer look at Mexico, a country poised for growth. There have been several moves in the past few months to raise the profile of the trade show industry there. In April, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events formed the IAEE Mexico Chapter, citing a rapid growth in the country and the association’s “long and fruitful relationship with the Mexican exhibitions and events industry.… more
May 20, 2013
The 2013 edition of Automechanika Shanghai will expand to all 17 halls, covering 200,000 square meters Dec. 10-13 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Organized by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation, the show is now the world’s second-largest Automechanika show for automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services, with the largest one being held in Frankfurt, Germany.  The show features leading brands, including APSIS, Asiawash, Bantam, Bosch, Carlas, Car-union, Delphi, FAWER, GYS, HSAE, Hennessy, Launch… more
May 20, 2013
With the United States identified by hosted buyers attending CIBTM, as one of the top destinations of interest, the show has introduced a dedicated U.S. pavilion on the show floor, which will allow U.S. exhibitors to target the China meetings market. The new pavilion at CIBTM, part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio, will provide a dedicated meeting area for exhibitors to showcase their products to visitors and hosted buyers with proven purchasing power. Each U.S. exhibitor also will be supplied with a pre-scheduled diary of appointments with hosted buyers who have identified the U.S… more
May 20, 2013
The Offshore Technology Conference unveiled at its recent event in Houston that it will take its show overseas next year to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. OTC Asia 2014 will take place March 25-28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. OTC already has held an event in Brazil in 2011 and will again this year. “Malaysia is an obvious choice as our first Asian host as many of the world’s most well-known international oil and gas companies are present,” said Stephen Graham, executive director of OTC. He added, “On top of that, the support which we have received so far from… 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.