Association Show News

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Aug 13, 2012
In good news for the travel industry, the U.S. General Services Administration has decided to not change the calculating method for lodging per diems that the U.S. Travel Association said would cost the industry $885 million in revenue and thousands of American jobs. In a statement released by USTA, Roger Dow, the association’s president and CEO, said, “Thanks to the joint advocacy efforts of travel industry associations, local hotel owners, national lodging chains, destination marketing organizations and many others, we were able to defend against a policy proposal that would… more
Aug 01, 2012
With the Outdoor Retailer semiannual trade shows outgrowing their home at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City already an issue, the Outdoor Industry Association, one of the shows’ organizers, also recently expressed its discontent with Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert’s public land policies in the state. OIA’s concerns include the governor’s lawsuit challenging the federal government over jurisdiction of the federal public lands and some road claims within national parks, monuments and wilderness areas that would allow motorized vehicles on dirt trails.… more
Jul 30, 2012
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, has sold out its PACK EXPO International on tap Oct. 28-31 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. “The sold out status of PACK EXPO speaks volumes to its value as a showcase for the packaging and processing industries,” said Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI. He added, “With space completely gone three months out, the show has surpassed even our expectations.” PACK EXPO International 2012 will be the largest edition of the show since 2002, with a record 1,800 plus… more
Jul 30, 2012
The world is about to get a little bit greener with a major commitment by the American Society of Association Executives through a partnership with American Forests to plant one tree per attendee to ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition. The meeting, on tap Aug. 11-14 at the Dallas Convention Center, typically attracts approximately 5,000 attendees. This effort, part of American Forests’ new Meeting ReLeaf program, will offset the carbon footprint of the meeting and augment ASAE’s broader sustainability efforts, according to ASAE officials. All the trees will be planted… more
Jul 17, 2012
AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology’s IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show is just around the corner, and the organization announced it has teamed with Trillium CNC/CNC Jobs for its first-ever IMTS 2012 Job Center. The show, held Sept. 10-15 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will have the job center in the West Building, where it will provide a forum for the IMTS community to learn more about and make connections to careers in manufacturing. Companies will have access to top level talent for manufacturing positions, and job seekers will find… more
Jul 16, 2012
Nominations are now being accepted for The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year Awards (SMOTY) returning this November.  In conjunction with the 3rd Annual TSNN T-Awards (www.T-awards.com) , the SMOTY Awards will be presented Nov. 3 in Louisville. Five innovative show managers will be honored at the gala dinner and take part in the weekend-long TSNN industry celebration. In addition to industry-wide recognition, SMOTY honorees receive a $500 donation to the charity of their choice courtesy of The Expo Group. “We started this award program over 10 years ago to bring… more
Jul 15, 2012
Exhibitors at the Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C., donated more than 135,000 pounds of specialty chocolate, cheese, olive oil, pasta sauces, meats and produce - enough to fill six tractor trailers - to area residents in need. The donation to the Capital Area Food Bank, the Washington metropolitan area’s largest hunger relief organization, is helping to provide 100,000 meals to people at risk for hunger. The food was collected at the end of the three-day event by 340 volunteers who fanned out across the exhibit halls to gather food from exhibitors from Egypt to Ecuador and… more
Jul 15, 2012
Not only did the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute’s EXPO PACK México2012, held June 26-29 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City, break new records with its showfloor, but the association also decided to expand its presence in the country with a new show launch in Guadalajara. The EXPO PACK México  show spanned 18,475 net square meters (198,800 net square feet) of exhibit space, a 13-percent increase compared with previous editions, and welcomed 5,139 attendees and 1,015 exhibiting companies. “Mexico is an important, rapidly expanding market, and the… more
Jul 04, 2012
Chicago just received a big boost with the American Library Association signing on to bring its annual trade show to the city in 2020, 2023 and 2026. The association already was committed to having the event in the Windy City in 2013 and 2017. Each show is projected to bring in $50 million in estimated direct expenditures per year, according to Choose Chicago officials. “This is great news for our convention industry and shows that Chicago is the place for large, national organizations to come and do business,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. He added, “The reforms at… more
Jul 01, 2012
Temperatures are soaring across the U.S., and what’s typically a slower time in the trade show industry is filled instead with a bevy of industry meetings. Destination Marketing Association International’s Annual Convention is on tap July 16-18 in Seattle and will kick off with an opening keynote by Jason Ryan Dorsey, known as “The Gen Y Guy”, who will discuss “Crossing the Generational Divide: Leveraging the Power of Generations for Your Strategic Advantage.” Other events on the schedule for the three-day event include a volunteer activity with locally… 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.