Jun 14, 2019
Two veteran trade show industry leaders have been appointed to an expanded executive leadership team at Winsight, a B2B information company serving the restaurant and noncommercial foodservice, convenience and petroleum retailing and grocery industries.  Mary Pat Heftman has been promoted to vice chairman and Tom Cindric has been tapped to be the new president of Winsight Exhibitions. “We have aggressive growth goals for the Show, and to achieve those targets, we’re doubling down on talent at the top,” said Mike Wood, CEO of Winsight. “The team has done phenomenal work and much of that… more
Jun 12, 2019
GreenTech, a global platform for the horticulture industry currently taking place this week in Amsterdam, has announced it will launch GreenTech Americas in partnership with Tarsus Mexico and RAI Amsterdam. The new event will take place March 24-26, 2020, in Querétaro, Mexico, the heartland for agriculture production in the country. “Protected horticulture is the fastest growing area for agriculture production in Mexico,” says Paul St. Amour, vice president Latin America for Tarsus Mexico. “The growers have a desire to upgrade their production processes with better greenhouse technology,… more
Jun 11, 2019
Adding a page to the comeback story of Puerto Rico, Connect announced it has selected the destination as host of Connect 2021. Formerly known as Collinson Media & Events (and also now owned by Corporate Event News’ parent company, Tarsus Group), Connect is known for its national marketplace-style shows for meeting planners in the corporate, sports, diversity, association and faith sectors. Connect 2021 is expected to bring 3,500 planners, suppliers and other industry leaders to Puerto Rico for face-to-face meetings, education, networking and its signature lively receptions. “We are… more
Jun 10, 2019
Exhibitions industry professionals around the world celebrated the fourth annual Global Exhibitions Day last week, June 5. From Australia to South Africa, the celebration was driven and supported by more than 40 partner associations in 90 countries and regions. “GED is a perfect symbol for our industry — it’s a huge success that is based on teamwork, trust, and collaboration,” said UFI President Craig Newman. “It is great to see everyone working in this industry getting involved and coming up with a range of interesting and unusual activities to promote exhibitions.” A wide range of… more
Jun 10, 2019
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Trade Show News Network will hold its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program, which honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Nov. 15-17 in Dallas. The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled event can be found listed below and also HERE.  “The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2016-2018 in attendance and net square footage,” said Tarsus US EVP, Business Development, Rachel Wimberly. She added, “We are really excited to fete all of… more
Jun 05, 2019
Does your salary reflect what you think you’re worth? If you’re like most trade show organizers, the answer is probably no (more on that below); yet the forecast for our industry in this area is looking at least partially sunny. Nearly 75 percent of business events organizers received a raise over the past year, averaging a 7-percent increase, according to PCMA’s annual Salary Survey, released this week. While that 7-percent increase is more than twice the average raise for North American workers across all industries, only half of the 550 respondents in PCMA’s survey reported satisfaction… more
Jun 04, 2019
“Hey Alexa, what’s next in new technologies designed to support the exhibition industry?” That’s the question Freeman poses in its winning submission for the annual UFI Digital Innovation Award. The award, which recognizes new technologies designed to support the exhibition industry, was captured by Freeman for its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot services. “Innovation comes from a lot of different places,” says Wilson Tang, who was recently promoted to the role of vice president of innovation for Freeman. The idea for an Amazon Alexa-powered event chat activation originated with a… more
Cassandra Farrington
Jun 04, 2019
The 2019 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum drew 220 association and for-profit industry leaders to Washington, D.C. last week. This year’s event centered around one major theme: the increasing need for event organizers to seek out new ways to convert growth strategies into reality. After a lively cocktail reception the night before, ECEF kicked off early on May 29 with Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, presenting a report titled “5 Key Data Points in 5 Minutes: 2019 ECEF Pulse Summary” based on survey questions sent out before the event. “We are in a level period,”… more
May 30, 2019
We've all been there — only a few hours into a looong trade show day, and your feet are already aching. When your feet hurt, it can truly be difficult to think about anything else. Yet aside from kicking off your professional shoes in favor of your old Nikes, what can you do to ensure your feet will be comfortable and presentable for the entire day? Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist based in New York and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, says you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. She recommends brands like Vionic, which offers a wide range of colors,… more
May 30, 2019
Naylor Association Solutions, a North American association software, communications, events and management services provider, has acquired TechMedia, a producer of digital marketing conferences in the United States.  The addition of these conferences will bolster Naylor’s portfolio of custom member communications, event management, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and association management services, according to Naylor officials. “Adding the TechMedia conference business to the Naylor portfolio not only expands and diversifies our event portfolio, it will [also] provide the association market… 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.