May 06, 2015
The Convention Industry Council unveiled the names of the 2015 inductees into the CIC Hall of Leaders and the 4th class of Pacesetter Award recipients.
The awardees will be formally recognized a Hall of Leaders and Pacesetters Celebration during IMEX America Oct. 13 in Las Vegas.
“This year’s class of CIC Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Award inductees represent a global footprint of the meetings, conventions, events and exhibitions industry and we are excited to celebrate their expertise, leadership and breadth of achievements,” said Convention Industry Council CEO Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP… more
May 05, 2015
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Public Events Council recently released the “Public Events Industry Report: 2014 Results” that covered 22 different sectors.
“The Public Events Industry Report, now in its sixth year, demonstrates that public events are performing as or better than expected," said IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.
He added, "And, as the economy recovers we are seeing more new launches, more normal staffing patterns and a return to the more routine challenges that have always… more
May 04, 2015
A new association for women who are in the events industry, aptly called the Association of Women in Events, recently launched to connect and empower women in the meetings and events industry.
Founded by Carrie Abernathy, Tamela Blalock, Mas Tadesse Harris, Mary Higham and Kiki Janssens, AWE is a national association based in Washington, D.C., and officially launched March 30.
“This organization fills a need," said Carrie Abernathy, AWE Co-Founder. “There are a lot of resources out there, but it's difficult to find anything specifically geared towards women. AWE empowers a thirsty… more
May 04, 2015
Nearly 6,900 industry professionals participated in the world's largest car wash event, The Car Wash Show, held in April in Las Vegas.
The total attendance number represented a 22 percent increase, compared with last year's convention and trade show in Chicago and was the event's largest total since 2008.
"We're in the midst of a period of great growth for the car wash industry. Data from our Wash Count program and reports from operators across North America confirm strong wash volumes, ticket averages and profitability," said International Carwash Association CEO Eric Wulf.
He added… more
May 03, 2015
Negative show rotation in the first quarter of 2015 had an impact on Viad’s overall revenues, dipping to $264.4 million, compared with $285.6 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Global Experience Specialists, a division of Viad, also saw first-quarter revenues decrease to $256.9 million, compared with $277.8 million during the same time period last year.
"Both business groups delivered steady progress toward our financial goals for 2015. Results for the quarter were in line with guidance and the underlying businesses performed well, with continued same-show growth in M&E (… more
Apr 30, 2015
Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo, both part of Emerald Exposition’s portfolio, have partnered with the StandUp Paddle Industry Association (SUPIA).
SUPIA is the trade organization of stand up paddle businesses: manufacturers, retailers, service providers (instructors, guides, race directors, event planners, certifiers), media, sales reps, distributors, suppliers, etc.
As a result of this partnership, SUPIA will exclusively endorse and participate in Surf Expo’s two annual shows and Outdoor Retailer’s Summer Market, as well as work to foster participation and growth in SUP at the shows… more
Apr 30, 2015
There were several high-profile shifts in show management recently, with some people retiring, others named into new positions and another taking on a new role altogether.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation promoted Melissa Schilling to the position of director, Exhibitions & Conferences. Schilling’s most recent position with the organization was director, Recruitment & Retention, a title she held since 2012.
Schilling worked on the development and organization of NSSF’s many conferences and shows, including its annual Industry Summit, Congressional Fly-In and the SHOT Show, one… more
Apr 29, 2015
The United Fresh Produce Association, already with a successful show serving the produce industry in June in Chicago, has teamed up with the Global Cold Chain Alliance, which represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics, to launch Global Chain Cold Expo.
The new show will be collocated with not only United Fresh, but also FMI Connect and the International Floriculture Expo June 2016 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO for GCCA, and Tom Stenzel, president and CEO for United Fresh, jointly made the announcement during the IARW-WFLO… more
Apr 28, 2015
As a result of violent protests in Baltimore that broke out following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody, the Door and Hardware Institute decided to cancel its CoNEXTions 2015 trade show, which was scheduled April 29-May 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
“The DHI Board of Governors has discussed this issue in great detail this evening, with the overriding concern of the safety of our attendees while at our event in Baltimore,” DHI officials said in a letter on the show’s Web site.
The letter continued, “With that primary concern in mind, they have unanimously… more
Apr 28, 2015
The 2015 AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting and Exhibition, held April 18–22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, highlighted the latest, most exciting discoveries in every area of cancer research.
The annual meeting attracted a record-breaking 19,250 attendees, which was up 4 percent from last year’s meeting held in San Diego.
While Philadelphia is more convenient to those traveling from Europe and is situated midway between New York and Washington D.C., Pam Ballinger, senior director of meetings and exhibits at the AACR, felt convenience was not… 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.