News

Oct 22, 2020
From Dec. 3-6, general service contractor Alliance Nationwide Exposition will launch Orlando Winterfest 2020 at Orange County Convention Center. Held in partnership with International Drive Business Improvement District and iHeartMedia, Orlando Winterfest will be the first holiday gift show of the year, after previously scheduled events have either been canceled or postponed into 2021 due to COVID-19. According to event officials, this event will provide the time and space for companies that haven’t had a way to network with their customers face-to-face to make the sales they desperately need… more
Oct 21, 2020
In the continuing evolution of virtual and hybrid events, the role of digital technology used to host those events has continued to evolve as well. To help sort through some of the new technology designed to aid organizers as they plan their virtual and hybrid meetings, here are four recently launched virtual event platforms. e-Attend Virtual Experience Denver-based event services company Image Audiovisuals has added a virtual event platform to its e-Attend technology. The new e-Attend Virtual Experience links broadcast-quality production, recording and live streaming services with virtual-… more
Oct 20, 2020
Raccoon Events will be expanding its award-winning U.K.-based National Running Show series to the United States. The first in a series of Run Show USA events will take place Jan. 29-30, 2022, in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center. The two-day event, planned to be 75,000 square feet, will play host to some of the most inspirational faces from the world of running, including Carl Lewis, Dean Karnazes, Susie Chan, Kelly Roberts, Camille Herron and Lazarus Lake, who will lead a packed schedule of inspirational and educational talks on the Inspiration Stage. There also will be practical… more
Oct 20, 2020
If you think cultivating a personal brand is self-centered and self-serving, think again. Amidst the ongoing global pandemic, there’s never been a more important time to present yourself boldly and accurately online. In this four-week series, TSNN will feature four articles focused on personal branding: why it’s important, how to shape your existing assets into your brand, building the pillars of your brand foundation and creating a content strategy around your brand. Whether you’ve been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic and are searching for something new, are still employed by your… more
Oct 19, 2020
While we at TSNN have been working hard to provide a balanced view of how the trade show industry has been faring during COVID-19 — highlighting the positive alongside the negative news — we also believe that much can be learned from our industry leaders during this challenging time. That’s why we’ve launched “Straight Talk,” a new interview series that will explore both the business and human side of the pandemic through the experiences and guidance of event industry executives. Like most exhibition industry professionals these days, Yancy Weinrich has been doing her best to adjust and… more
Oct 14, 2020
In a rather bold move amidst a tumultuous year for the tourism industry, Visit Spokane has unveiled a restructuring of its business model that will lead to a short-term reduction in revenue but ultimately open up other avenues of funding and allow the organization to live more fully into its mission of marketing the whole region.  “We found our old model to be antiquated and restrictive,” says Meg Winchester, president and CEO of Visit Spokane. “The hope is that by restructuring the way we do business we will create better partnerships with Spokane’s hospitality community, which will make… more
Oct 14, 2020
While the live U.S. trade show industry remains on pause, some event producers are doing what they can to support the challenged industries their shows represent by becoming community resources in the virtual space. Case in point: Questex, which has created online programming for its Nightclub & Bar Show and VIBE Conference audiences via Evolve, a free, six-month-long virtual event and engagement series designed to help restaurant and bar owners, operators, investors and suppliers achieve success into 2021 and beyond.  Geared to help exhibitors, sponsors and suppliers reconnect until the… more
Oct 13, 2020
Tarsus Group made two recent acquisitions – the remaining 50 percent of China-based Hubei Tarsus Hope’s portfolio of medical events it was in a joint venture on and buying the entirety of the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology (MOPD) event.   Hubei Hope Exhibition was the first acquisition made in 2008 by Tarsus in China as a 50/50 joint venture that included several B2B exhibitions - Chengdu Dental Show and the biannual Zhengzhou Medical and Dental Show - across the fast-growing regions of Central and Western China. “China is one of the world’s largest exhibition markets and is of great… more
Oct 13, 2020
The home of the Packers will also be home to an expansive new event venue by January 2021. Resch Expo, a 125,000-square-foot, column-free exposition center, is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, adjacent Lambeau Field in the city’s entertainment district. Together with the existing Resch Center — which opened in 2002 and hosts events from concerts to trade shows — it will make up the new Resch Complex. More than 700 hotel rooms and a dozen restaurants are within easy walking distance of the complex, complementing the city’s more than 4,500 total hotel rooms. Design of the non-union Resch Expo… more
Oct 12, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and SISO, the Society for Independent Show Organizers, are calling on global policymakers and governments to follow a “testing before quarantine” approach for business-related travel and activities. This approach, both organizations say — which would include activating the potentials of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests — would enable businesses to move forward out of a severe global recession.  A statement signed by UFI President Mary Larkin (president of Diversified Communications, USA) and SISO Chair Doug Emslie (group chief executive,… 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.