Oct 21, 2015
Trade show organizers and venues continued to ink new deals with suppliers as summer turned into fall. The National Shooting Sports Foundation extended its relationship with CSG Creative to serve as the official marketing agency of SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show ) Show through 2019. Based in Alexandria, Va., CSG Creative specializes in marketing campaigns for trade shows and member associations. "For the last four years, CSG Creative has played a key role in the growth of the SHOT Show," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and CMO. "Those efforts have resulted… more
Oct 21, 2015
Taking a major step to expand its overseas footprint, Dallas-based Freeman, a global provider of brand experiences, has acquired New South Wales, Australia-based Staging Connections Group Limited, a global event services company.  Founded in 1986, Staging Connections is an international business with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and China. With its 15 offices and 600 employees throughout ANZPAC, Staging Connections provides Freeman with an immediate presence throughout the region, according to Freeman officials. “As our clients are expanding globally, they want… more
Oct 20, 2015
By Wendy Helfenbaum When Kathie Canning first started working at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in the mid 1980s, it was a bit of a circus. Literally. “At that time, we were the only concert venue; we did a lot of civic events, and we did the circus every year. It was very interesting when Avon came in to do a meeting right after the elephants left,” said Canning, now the OCCC’s executive director. “Many things have changed drastically since then; it’s been quite an amazing transformation.” Today, as convention centers worldwide explode in number, size, and technology, Orlando… more
Oct 16, 2015
The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Awards winners for 2015 emerged from a field of hard-working nominees committed to their craft. Created in 2000, the “SMOTY” Awards recognize show organizers who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community. "The dedication, innovation and downright determination of the people in this business continually impresses me and the judging panel, as well," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. He added, "We began this program to give back to the community by honoring unsung heroes, and I am… more
Oct 15, 2015
As the 5th IMEX America wrapped up in Las Vegas, records were broken across the board, with a total of 3,100 companies representing 150 countries exhibiting, including 80 new booths and 56 expanded booth. In addition, the IMEX hosted buyer program brought a record 3,000 buyers from 54 countries to the show, for a total 10,600 people participating in the event. There were 66,000 business appointments of which more than 57,000 were one-to-one appointments and booth presentations. More than 40 leading buyers from the corporate sector also came for the annual Executive Meetings Forum. With senior… more
Oct 14, 2015
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Consumer Electronics Association have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the World Trade Center Las Vegas and the World Trade Center Seoul that will help enhance international business relationships.  The WTC Seoul is owned and operated by the Korea International Trade Association, which is the largest business organization in Korea with more than 71,000 member companies. Through the agreement, Las Vegas and Seoul can co-market under the World Trade Center brand creating access to key trade information, market research… more
Oct 14, 2015
The fifth edition of Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages and dietary supplement industries in Asia, attracted 2,345 visitors to the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Visitors represented brands such as Dole, Vitasoy, A.S. Watsons, Blackmores, and PepsiCo, as well as an increasing number of distributors actively seeking ingredients, raw materials and finished products.  “There were some recurring themes in our conversations with people at the event, such as the idea of managing transitions between life stages, the probiotics segment, and… more
Oct 14, 2015
Emerald Expositions has acquired HOW Design Live and the HOW Interactive Design Conference series (“HOW Design Events”) from F+W Media, Inc., a Content and e-Commerce company, for an undisclosed sum. HOW Design Live is the largest graphic design conference and expo in the nation, combining five separate conferences into a single event focused on creativity, business and inspiration for designers. F+W’s retained HOW Media Brands, including HOW Magazine, Print Magazine and HOW University, will continue to work closely with Emerald’s HOW Design Events.  “Our strategy of supplementing… more
Oct 14, 2015
ibtm china’s Knowledge Programme, which took place at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing last month, was the best attended to date.   “We are extremely pleased with the attendance at this year’s Knowledge Programme in China,” said Cici Chen, ibtm china Event Manager. He added, “Furthermore, in-depth analysis and research has confirmed that primary reasons for increased attendance were the sessions’ relevance to participant’s needs and the reputation of the presenters delivering the sessions. These findings confirm that as an event we are delivering a programme that… more
Oct 14, 2015
China’s State Council has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial conference for exhibition industry. The working group will have the goal of determining reforms of China’s exhibition industry. The group’s brief is to reinforce the establishment and implementation of the sector’s development strategy, plans, policies and regulations. The group will be chaired by the Ministry of Commerce and it will also include senior representatives from 13 other government ministries, such as National Development and Reform Commission (NRDC), State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC… 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.