Association Show News

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Jul 08, 2022
LightFair 2022 united thousands of lighting industry professionals in-person last month for a conference and trade show that was a resounding success. The industry’s largest annual lighting event took place June 19-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing more than 10,000 attendees for five days of brisk business, valuable networking and bustling energy. “LightFair has proven yet again how important it is for the lighting industry to connect under one roof—this event is where emerging technologies are discovered, lighting trends are communicated and industry news is unveiled,” said Dan… more
Jun 27, 2022
More than 51,000 foodservice professionals flocked to Chicago's McCormick Place May 21-24 for the first time since 2019 to happily reconnect in person and indulge in this year's National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (National Restaurant Association Show), the premier event to learn about foodservice technology innovations, unique ingredients and emerging trends in the restaurant industry. “The 2022 show was one of the most anticipated events of the year, and after three long years, we couldn’t wait to bring the foodservice community back together to celebrate the… more
Jun 21, 2022
As its second major in-person convention since the onset of the pandemic, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association’s (AAHOA) annual AAHOA Convention & Trade Show (AAHOACON) once again converged to unite the who’s who of the hotel industry for four days of networking, learning, deal-making and cultural celebration.   Held April 12-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the lively expo and conference drew more than 6,000 registered attendees and 515 exhibiting companies as well as innovative industry professionals, prominent politicians, business leaders and entertainers serving as… more
Jun 17, 2022
Celebrating 25 years of innovation and trendsetting in the confectionary and snack industries, the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo drew nearly 16,000 total attendees, including nearly 700 exhibitors and more than 110 exhibitors in the Supplier Showcase, to Chicago’s McCormick Place May 23-26. This year’s show spanned 4.5 acres of candy and snack innovation and focused on the show’s evolution over the past 25 years and its history of offering new confectionery and snack products, actionable insights and opportunities for members of the industry to connect.  “There’s no better way to celebrate… more
Jun 08, 2022
The pet industry’s premier trade show and conference for pet retailers, product manufacturers, importers and thought leaders recently converged in Orlando, Fla., to celebrate a triumphant return to live and in-person events. Hosted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the 18th annual Global Pet Expo took over the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) March 23-25, attracting more than 5,400 buyers, 722 exhibitors and a fair share of adorable cats and dogs.  According to show officials, 52% of buyers were first-time attendees and… more
May 31, 2022
The International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC) West recently wrapped up the first major security and public safety event of the year, boasting record-breaking attendance growth. Held March 22-25 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas and hosted in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), the leading annual comprehensive and converged security trade show and conference in the U.S. had an 88% increase in participation compared to its 2021 West event, which took place July 19-21 at the same venue. According to officials from RX, which owns and produces… more
May 24, 2022
An expected rebound of the U.S. B2B exhibitions industry is underway, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which released the results of its 2022 First Quarter Index on May 23. According to the stats, the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions industry improved significantly in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the previous eight quarters, with cancellation rates for physical in-person events continuing to drop, compared with 2021. In Q1 2022, the cancellation rate was 9.2%, compared to 91.3% in the first quarter of 2021, 66.2% in the second quarter,… more
May 23, 2022
While the trade show and meetings industry continues its steady path toward recovery, some event-related organizations remain committed to making sure that those less fortunate within the communities they operate aren’t left behind. Check out two event industry entities who recently went the extra mile to make a difference in their home cities and beyond.  Music City Center Nashville’s Music City Center, in partnership with Sodexo Live! and Nestlé, recently donated 150 gallons of soup to The Nashville Food Project, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to grow, cook and share… more
May 17, 2022
MHI, the international trade association representing the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry, brought its largest MODEX event ever to Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) March 28-30, drawing more than 37,000 attendees and  more than 850 exhibitors to a show floor that spanned 405,000 square feet of space.    According to John Paxton, CEO of MHI, MODEX 2022 was a huge success, a dramatic return to in-person events for the supply chain industry and a boon for the Atlanta area, with the direct economic impact of the event estimated to be $45 million. “After two… more
May 13, 2022
Association Analytics, a leading provider of business intelligence and data analytics for the association industry, debuted Acumen Major Meetings, a platform designed to improve conference and trade show performance with actionable data on exhibitors, sponsors and attendees all in one place. The new platform augments the company’s flagship analytics platform, Acumen, which provides a 360-degree view of association members, bringing together all association data in one place for clients to visualize, analyze and take action. Acumen Major Meetings was created to specifically address the… 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.