Mar 24, 2013
5Net4 Prductions’ Abilities Expo saw a 27-percent spike in attendance at its March 15-17 show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, compared with the previous year’s show. The show drew 7,323 attendees by its final day, with a total of 9,100 altogether, counting an approximate 25 percent who were non-registered children under the age of 18. The total attendance broke last year’s record. “The energy was incredible,” said 5Net4 President and CEO David Korse. He added, “We’re thrilled that so many from the community of people with disabilities… more
Mar 22, 2013
Timed with the American Society of Association Executive’s annual legislative fly-in for American Associations Day, held March 18-19, the organization gathered letters to deliver to Senate offices opposing a proposed amendment to H.R. 933 that would prohibit federal agencies from sending more than 25 employees to any meeting or conference held in the United States. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), which was offered in response to reports last year of wasteful conference spending by the General Services Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs, was… more
Mar 20, 2013
Improving expectations of sales and the position of the United States at the top of global market drove increasing exhibitor and attendee confidence at 2013 EXHIBITOR Show, the annual gathering of the trade show industry that took place March 17–21 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Some 296 exhibitors presented everything from motion-activated displays to live sculpting to inflatable chairs, not to mention the latest in creative strategy and social media integration. The show attracted about 5,600 attendees and spanned approximately 67,000 square feet, up 13.5 percent… more
Mar 18, 2013
The new convention center in Nashville, Tenn., is set to open its doors with a big grand opening celebration that will feature a free concert with musician Sheryl Crow, street party and open house for the community during the May 19-20 event. “I continue to be impressed by the size and beauty of the Music City Center and encourage Nashvillians to see it for themselves during the grand opening,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. He added, “There’s no doubt we are a city with momentum, and with the opening of the Music City Center in May, even more tourists and… more
Mar 18, 2013
The trade show industry started off last year with strong numbers, as tracked by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Index, with continued growth of 2.4 percent in the first two quarters of the year, but the third and fourth quarters saw a slowdown, with 2012 ending with overall 1.5-percent growth. The numbers missed CEIR’s initial projections of 2.9-percent year-over-year growth for 2012, compared with 2011. Even though the last two quarter’s numbers were down, they still marked 10 consecutive quarters of growth for the trade show industry. While the results… more
Mar 17, 2013
There’s no question that people love their pets, especially taking into account the record-breaking show numbers that recently were revealed for the American Pet Products Association’s  and the Pet Industry Distributors Association’s Global Pet Expo 2013. The show, held Feb. 20-22 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, attracted 5,327 buyers, a 5-percent increase, compared with last year. There also more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 964 exhibitors and 2,686 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers reported in Global Pet Expo’s nine-… more
Mar 17, 2013
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has chosen Galen Poss, COO of dmg :: events, as the 2013 "Legend of the Industry" for this year’s IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, as well as recently formed a strategic partnership with the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, on tap June 11-13 in Chicago, to produce educational content. The IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, which provides professional development for a group of industry professionals who were selected by the Krakoff Leadership Institute Committee as the industry’s future leaders based on… more
Mar 12, 2013
Association management company Naylor has bought Global Exchange Events – a producer of appointment-based events “exchange events”, which includes 10 events that were produced last year and another 13 that are planned for this year. "Adding exchange event expertise and capability is a logical extension of the Naylor menu of print, digital and event offerings, and we now have market-leading expertise in what is a rapidly emerging type of event," said Alex DeBarr, Naylor president and CEO. He added, "Exchange events can be a high value offering for… more
Mar 12, 2013
Military spending is running the gamut of so many issues right now that some conferences and shows already have canceled and others are seeing drops in exhibit floor spend. Fortunately, though, some still seem to be weathering the storm.   The Department of Defense is faced with not only the possible impact of nearly $500 billion in cuts over the next decade as part of the sequestration recently signed into law, but also compounding the problem is the absence of proper appropriation bills that has led to stop-gap funding called ‘Continuing Resolution’, as well as scrutiny… more
Mar 11, 2013
ITE Group has acquired Australian-based Baird Maritime's exhibition business and also will launch a new event - TransAsia - a trade exhibition for transport and logistics in Southeast Asia. Baird Maritime's events include Asian Workboat and China Maritime, which are hosted in Singapore and Hong Kong. Baird Maritime, led by industry veteran Neil Baird, connects the community of work boat owners in Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Baird will stay involved in the business for two years, while ITE will move the operational management of these events to its offices in Hong Kong,… 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.