
Dec 16, 2017
Ray Kopcinski, CMP, Carrie Freeman Parsons and Dr. Godwin Charles Ogbeide, PhD, MBA will be honored at the 2018 Visionary Awards on May 2 at the Marriott Marquis, Washington DC.
More than 1,000 business events industry professionals will gather this spring at the Visionary Awards to honor these luminaries’ extraordinary contributions.
Attendees will experience an Oscars-like evening with red carpet arrival, awards show, and after party, hosted by the PCMA Education Foundation and presented in partnership with Visit Austin and Austin Convention Center.
“We are thrilled to celebrate these… more

Dec 14, 2017
Houston will soon host one of the largest meetings of dental professionals in the nation in 2022.
The American Dental Association (ADA), Texas Dental Association (TDA) and Greater Houston Dental Society will combine respective conventions, collectively bringing more than 30,000 attendees to Houston's downtown campus, Avenida Houston.
“We are enthused the ADA and its counterparts chose Houston as its destination for 2022,” said John Solis, senior vice president of sales for Visit Houston.
He added, “As home to the largest medical center, Houston is a natural fit for medical meetings of… more

Dec 06, 2017
UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry has taken a look into their crystal ball and come up with “5 Trends to Watch in 2018”.
The good news is the exhibition industry here in the US and in most places overseas continues to grow, the challenges include recruiting and retaining key talent and staying on top of security initiatives.
Here are UFI’s “5 Trends to Watch in 2018”.
1. The seemingly stable core
Despite political tensions, a rise in protectionism, and a perceived fragility of free trade, both the global economy and the exhibition industry as a whole are growing… more

Dec 05, 2017
Getting together face-to-face was the primary goal of the 2017 IAEE Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which took place Nov. 28–30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The show focused on making connections, both with fellow attendees and with education sessions that ran on three tracks: researched-informed, data-guided and experience-designed.
There were several new features for this year’s show. These included the Tech Start Up Competition, sponsored by Visit Austin and the Austin Convention Center; the CEIR Research Sneak Peek & Luncheon,… more

Dec 04, 2017
After more than 12 years, President and CEO Deborah Sexton has decided to move on from the Professional Convention Management Association and will step down after the upcoming Convening Leaders event in January in Nashville.
Sexton shared her decision with the Board of Directors at the September meeting. The Board voted unanimously to approve COO Sherrif Karamat as the new CEO.
This follows careful succession planning at PCMA, where Sexton and Karamat have worked closely together since 2005.
“Deborah’s passion, boundless energy and her hunger to continuously innovate have resulted in… more

Nov 27, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveiled the results of the elections for its 2018 Board of Directors.
IAEE also welcomes incoming Chairperson of the Board Daniel McKinnon, CEM. McKinnon is vice president, Client Solutions – Global at FreemanXP.
“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to apply my years of experience as both a show organizer and supplier partner to the greater good of the industry which I could not be more proud to serve,” McKinnon said.
He added, “I am eager to continue the great work of those who came before me, and look forward to an… more

Nov 26, 2017
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions had a record 39,000 registered attractions industry professionals gather in Orlando to learn, buy and network at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017.
"The success of this year's show is a true testament to the continued growth and strength of attractions around the world," said Paul Noland, IAAPA president and CEO.
He added, "Achieving this record-breaking attendance as we kick off IAAPA's 100th anniversary celebration is a remarkable milestone in our association's history. We thank all of our attendees, exhibitors, members, and… more

Nov 26, 2017
The Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC) has selected SmithBucklin, an association management and services company, to provide full-service association management. Elizabeth Summy, CAE, serves as HRMAC’s chief executive officer, and its headquarters is at 330 N. Wabash, Chicago.
Founded in 1915, HRMAC is Chicagoland's premier resource for advancing workplace strategy and leadership. HRMAC’s membership is composed of nearly 750 Chicago-area organizations with a network of over 7,000 HR professionals from every business sector, representing small private companies to multi… more

Nov 26, 2017
Karen Gonzales, CMP has joined the staff of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events as director, Partnership Relations.
In this role, she will assist with selling exhibit space for Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition and manage the sponsorship and advertising programs for IAEE, as well as fundraising for Exhibitions Mean Business. Gonzales will also engage in outreach and attendee acquisition for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation’s initiatives.
“I am honored to join the IAEE Team! This role allows me to engage and expand global… more

Nov 20, 2017
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will hold its annual Expo! Expo! in San Antonio, TX November 28-30. The organization will bring in experts from both inside and outside of event industry to examine data, sales strategies, new technology and much more.
In “pit stops”, “tech huddles”, workshops and more, trade show and event organizers will have more than 50 learning opportunities during the three-day event.
“As with every year at Expo! Expo! I hope that attendees walk away with meaningful connections, ideas for the new year and actionable insights to incorporate… 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.