Jun 01, 2021
As the industry continues its gradual progress toward a full recovery, event organizations, destinations and venues are inking new deals and extending existing relationships as they gear up for an acceleration in business. Take a look:
Centerplate
Nashville’s Convention Center Authority has agreed to extend its eight-year agreement with Centerplate, the exclusive food and beverage partner for the Music City Center. The new, multi-year agreement will still encompass hospitality, catering and culinary services in at the convention center highlighting local Nashville purveyors and diverse… more
Jun 01, 2021
Like much of the events industry, Denzil Rankine, executive chairman of AMR International, will have his eyes on World of Concrete, which will be the largest trade show to operate in-person since the pandemic. But he has a bit of a narrow focus — a minor point that he admits is his new pet peeve.
“I truly hope Freeman and GES have not been paid to print signs, ‘See you next year,’” he said during a webinar TSNN hosted covering the topics in “Reinventing Live,” a book Rankine co-authored with Marco Giberti, founder and CEO of Vesuvio Ventures.
Click here to watch a replay of the webinar.… more
May 27, 2021
The growth of the Chinese trade show market is imminent and could mean big things for the global exhibitions industry. That is among the key takeaways from the comprehensive Global Industry Performance Review, which is now available for order.
With the pandemic on its heels as countries re-emerge, the United States and China appear to be in the best shape economically. The result is the industries already on the rebound have resumed plans for in-person trade shows and conferences, which is music to the ears of destinations announcing the resumption of large-scale gatherings at convention… more
May 26, 2021
Value fashion buyers looking to add premium products to their store shelves will be excited about the new elevated price point segment debuting at the upcoming OFFPRICE Show. Set for Aug. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, alongside MAGIC Las Vegas during Las Vegas Fashion Week, the new EVOLVE Marketplace is designed to meet the needs of savvy retailers seeking elevated styles and urban trends at competitive prices.
EVOLVE will feature higher margins on quality apparel including engineered goods, in-season collections, on-trend items and readily available inventory from a curated… more
May 25, 2021
Event and hospitality companies are gearing up for a digital financial future by accepting cryptocurrency as a customer payment option.
Defined as “a digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services, but uses an online ledger with strong cryptography to secure online transactions,” cryptocurrency is more than a speculative investment trend. Mainstream adoption is already here, with major companies including PayPal, Visa and Mastercard jumping on the crypto train.
As hotels, resorts and event-related companies continually seek out opportunities to better serve the needs of their… more
May 17, 2021
Two major events dedicated to health and science professionals have indicated they will require attendees to provide proof of vaccination to enter. The decisions, made by organizers of HIMSS21 Health and Safety Hub and HLTH 2021, are among the first large events to declare that in-person participants will need to be fully immunized as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that vaccinated individuals did not need to wear a mask in most instances in which they are surrounded by others who have received their shots. The… more
May 17, 2021
It’s safe to say that most of us in the trade show and meetings industry know someone whose job was affected by the pandemic. After all, the events industry was one of the first to shut down when COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., and will be one of the last to fully reopen. The need for immediate action is great; according to recent travel, hospitality and trade show industry reports, 65% of all lost American jobs came from the travel and hospitality industries, with 2020 seeing an almost 80% decline in exhibitions.
To help get the industry back to business and restore those lost jobs, the… more
May 12, 2021
The exhibitions industry is racing to help those in need by running for a good cause. Set for June 8-9 for a 4 p.m. start in the U.K. (11 a.m. EDT), the Event Industry Backyard Ultra will feature marathon enthusiast and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, who will be running a 5K race every hour for a straight 24 hours in an effort to raise funds for two industry charities and a global charity supporting India, while being livestreamed across multiple platforms.
Please sign up to watch and donate here: https://app.swapcard.com/event/24hour5krun
Participating in what BBC Sport describes as “… more
May 12, 2021
Global Exhibitions Day, set for June 2, offers an opportunity for the industry to remark about its uncanny resiliency and value, perhaps never more demonstrated than in the past year and a half.
Worth an estimated $551 billion, according to a joint press release sent by Clarion Events and UFI, the global association of the exhibitions industry, trade shows and exhibitions are poised to stage a grand comeback at a time when economies across the world need them most. While in most parts of the world, vaccination news is encouraging and travel restrictions are being lifted, economic recovery is… more
May 10, 2021
Optimism about the events industry is transforming from anecdotal to data-driven. A new report from Freeman, which has been tracking attendees’ temperatures about returning to face-to-face gatherings for the better part of a year, shows the strongest signs yet that the great recovery may happen sooner than later.
While virtual aspects of shows won’t disappear with COVID-19, the eighth iteration of Freeman’s research since the pandemic began shows the highest willingness yet to attend live events. Key findings include:
85% of attendees and 86% of exhibitors are expecting to return to in-… 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.