Feb 24, 2015
By Alexa Newman and Benjamin Rabe Even if you have years of event-planning experience, healthcare meetings are a different ballgame. As a healthcare meeting planner, you’ll need to be up-to-speed on the ever-changing rules, restrictions and legislation of this complex industry. From audiovisual considerations to continuing medical education requirements, the following tips will help prepare you for a successful healthcare meeting.   Get to Know Your Speakers and Their Presentations   Healthcare speakers are often experts – not only in their area of specialty, but in the… more
Feb 23, 2015
Smack dab in the middle of a busy trade show season in Boston, the city and surrounding areas have been hit by four blizzards in less than a month’s time. Mother Nature doesn’t care if a show needs to be moved in or opened on time, but a lot of hard-working and quick-thinking show organizers, meeting planners and the Boston trade show community supporting them somehow made it through. “We’ve had 70 inches of snow in just over 17 days,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority a few days before the New England Boat Show was scheduled to open… more
Feb 23, 2015
It is hard to imagine that the Medical Design & Manufacturing West (MD&M West) show hit its 30th year, but with seeing the numbers across the entire UBM Canon event (35,000 attendees, 2,100-plus exhibits and 365,000 square feet of show floor space), it is clear just how far the show has come.  Stephen Corrick, executive vice president and managing director at UBM Canon, which runs the show, said, “There is such an investment by all on a great show, including seeing such highly qualified audience members engage with the educational programs at the show.” Roger Burg, vice president… more
Feb 22, 2015
Each year, Trade Show News Network compiles a list of the Top 250 Trade Shows ranked by net square footage in the United States and Top 50 trade shows ranked by net sq. footage in Canada. Submissions to be included on the 2014 lists are now open, and the shows must have occurred in 2014. The form to fill out is HERE, and the deadline is Feb. 28. TSNN is proud to present valuable data to the industry, which is based on in-depth information provided by show organizers about their events. In 2013, the Consumer Electronic Association’s massive International CES show in Las Vegas topped the TSNN… more
Feb 21, 2015
The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s Board of Directors voted to approve a contract for the purchase of the historic Riviera Hotel & Casino’s 26-acre site as the cornerstone for its planned Las Vegas Global Business District.  The District will expand the Las Vegas Convention Center’s footprint from 3.2 million square feet to nearly 5.7 million square feet and give it a Strip-front location. “The Las Vegas Global Business District is the single most important economic development project in the state,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the LVCVA. He added, “… more
Feb 20, 2015
In its 87th year, Western Veterinary Conference evolves with the times just like the dynamic industry it’s serving. For its annual event that took place Feb. 16-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, it made strides into the RFID technology and Amazon-inspired marketing model for its continued education offerings, as well as revealed its new branding, to stay on the cutting edge. “It’s about having an accessible, customized and personalized experience,” said WVC CEO David Little. “If we can enhance that, it makes our attendee experience more valuable.” One of the steps on that… more
Feb 17, 2015
Supplier and show organizers alike promoted from within and brought on new personnel for a variety of positions across the trade show industry in the past month. Reed Exhibitions appointed Nick Pilbeam to the position of divisional director – Travel. Pilbeam will oversee the travel division under Reed Travel Exhibitions, which includes the International Luxury Travel Market portfolio, World Travel Market portfolio and the newly branded ibtm events portfolio of global and regional events providing business solutions on five continents.  They include ibtm world, ibtm arabia, ibtm… more
Feb 17, 2015
In a letter to UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s members, UFI President Andrés Lopez-Valderrama said Paul Woodward, the organization’s managing director, would be stepping down later this year. Lopez-Valderrama added that Woodward had made the decision “to spend more time with family and to cut down on travel and business commitments. UFI is in a very strong position, but we now have to embark on the task of finding a replacement for Paul.” Woodward, who has been in the position for the past five years, will remain in his post until at least after the Milan Congress,… more
Feb 17, 2015
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events reported that Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held Dec. 9-11 in Los Angeles, yielded higher attendance than in 2013, according to an independent attendance verification audit conducted by Exhibit Surveys. The audit was conducted in compliance with the requirements of attendance audits promulgated by the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission (EEIAC). Here are some of the key statistics comparing Expo! Expo! 2014 to the 2013 event: ·  Overall attendance increased by 15 percent in 2014 from 1,934 to… more
Feb 16, 2015
USITT 2015, which is run by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is on tap in Cincinnati and now boasts a record 280 exhibitors – including 60 new ones. USITT Stage Expo Manager Ron Procopio says he is excited to welcome so many companies new or returning after years away to the 55th Annual Conference & Stage Expo. The event will fill some 45,000 square feet of Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center March 19-21. “As the industry and economy changes, so does USITT’s Stage Expo floor,” Procopio said. “So, besides our huge showing of big industry names, we’re attracting… 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.