Jan 14, 2013
CTIA-The Wireless Association and IFA, the world's largest trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, have teamed up to hold a "borderless" trade show in 2014. The partnership will produce the first global platform of its kind for retailers, buyers, distributors, manufacturers, vendors and carriers to launch the next generation of new products and services for work, home and play. This partnership combines CTIA's expertise in mobility and IFA's leadership in consumer electronics and home appliances markets, according to CTIA officials. The two organizations have signed a… more
Jan 14, 2013
The Professional Convention Management Association didn’t just show up and have their Convening Leaders annual meeting in Orlando this week and leave town. Instead, they gave back generously to the surrounding community. “Our members and their organizations will benefit from the outstanding facilities and the hard-working people here in Orlando,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA. She added, “These programs are one way of expressing our sincere thanks to this tremendous community. After our members leave, we hope these donations will leave a lasting impact… more
Jan 14, 2013
In a continuous effort to stay ahead of the curve, meeting industry leaders collaborated to fund a research project to predict, as well as plan for the future of, convention exhibits and trade shows. ASAE Foundation, Exhibition Industry Foundation, Freeman, Gaylord Entertainment, and PCMA Education commissioned a project to look at the trends and analyze trade shows from five hypothetical perspectives.  Each provides insight into how to create more impact with exhibit space. Scenarios of the Future: Convention Exhibits and Trade Show 2016is the result from a year-long research study that… more
Jan 13, 2013
POWER- GEN International, held Dec. 11-13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, broke attendance records with 22,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibitors. The three-day event attracted power professionals and executives from more than 75 countries. In addition, there were 27 international delegations, 200 industry experts and 39 conference sessions. “We are extremely pleased with the success of POWER-GEN International last week and the collocated events including Renewable Energy World North America Conference & Expo, NUCLEAR POWER International and the Financial Forum,… more
Jan 12, 2013
Every quarter, event management company a2z aggregates data from hundreds of expositions managed using its platform and releases a Quarterly Exposition Industry Analysis. This analysis reflects the overall trends on the performance of the  trade show industry alongside  a sector by sector breakdown of performance, and Net Square Footage (NSF) pacing of the previous six and upcoming six months. The latest edition of a2z’s Quarterly Exposition Industry Analysis analyzes data through the last quarter of the calendar year 2012 (Q4 of CY 2012) and can be downloaded here.… more
Jan 10, 2013
The Consumer Electronic Association's 2013 International CES, the world's largest event for the global technology industry, got even bigger and brighter this year, if that's even possible, taking over the Las Vegas Convention Center and several other venues Jan. 8–11. The show featured more than 3,250 exhibitors across 1.9 million net square feet of exhibit space, breaking the record of 1.865 net square feet and 3,239 exhibitors in 2012. Attendance was expected to surpass 150,000, with more than 35,000 from outside the U.S. "We have so many great device makers, as… more
Jan 09, 2013
Most of the worldwide exhibition growth for the past few years has been focused on the Asia-Pacific region, where GDPs in countries such as China have gone gangbusters, but, according to UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s year-end 10th Global Barometer Survey, that growth now seems to be shifting to the Americas going into 2013. “While Asia-Pacific has been the main growth area since 2010, the situation there is shifting with slower growth expected in 2013,” said UFI Managing Director Paul Woodward. He added, “Current projections indicate that the… more
Jan 08, 2013
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HelmsBriscoe already has strong stakes in the corporate and association markets, but in order to expand into the trade show realm, the company has hired industry veteran Adam Schaffer. "Adam's addition to HelmsBriscoe is very exciting as we continue to expand our presence domestically and internationally,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president of HelmsBriscoe. He added, "Adam is a proven leader in the trade show industry and we are confident he will be a highly sought after resource for our clients and our Associates." Schaffer’s… more
Jan 08, 2013
Just a few months after George Little Management announced it would launch the Creative & Lifestyle Arts (C&LA) aimed at attracting crafters to an East Coast event alongside the National Stationery Show, now the Craft & Hobby Association also has signed on to the three-day event. The collaboration will take the form of collocated education and events that capitalizes on the strengths of each entity, according to GLM officials. “CHA is constantly seeking new ways to help members and the marketplace as a whole to enhance their businesses,” said Andrej Suskavcevic, CHA… more
Jan 07, 2013
December usually is a quiet month, but instead, there were a spate of new hires that led right into even more at the start of 2013. With unemployment figures in the United States continuing to stabilize, the trade show industry is ahead of the curve with a busy hiring season. Experient hired Heidi Voorhees as senior vice president of Housing, in which she will lead the company’s housing sales and operations. “The meetings and event industry is ripe for unified registration and housing technologies backed by an organization with strong leadership,” said Shawn Pierce,… 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.