News
Jan 12, 2024
Talk to Lux Narayan, co-founder of event audience engagement technology platform StreamAlive, and it quickly becomes apparent that he is anything but your typical event tech CEO. Not only has the serial entrepreneur founded three technology companies over the past two decades, including AI-powered SaaS StreamAlive in 2021, social media benchmarking company Unmetric and online data backup company Vembu Technologies, but also he is a TED speaker, amateur standup comedian, author and storyteller who feels just as comfortable telling jokes in front of an audience as he does delivering PowerPoint… more
Jan 11, 2024
Money20/20, a fintech and financial services content, sales and networking platform, has appointed seasoned trade show and media industry veteran Jessica Blue as its new executive vice president of Money 20/20 USA, one of three annual fintech trade shows and conferences for the global money ecosystem.
Bringing more than 25 years of experience in the B2B trade show and media industries to her new role, including 15 years in the U.K. with UBM plc (now Informa plc) and Advanstar Communications, Blue most recently served as executive vice president at Emerald, where she was responsible for a… more
Jan 10, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies
Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) gathers industry professionals, stakeholders and consumers from the natural products and sustainable living sectors annually. The event showcases eco-friendly products, promotes sustainable practices and fosters networking opportunities within the industry.
But with nearly 70,000 people expected to walk through the doors of the Anaheim Convention Center for the 2023 event, even organizers understood the possibility for their eco-focused event to generate a large amount of single-use waste.
“Sustainability is a… more
Jan 09, 2024
Industry acquisitions and consolidations, rising costs, brand launches, attendance and travel trends and the rise of next-gen event technology topped the list of most popular topics for trade show professionals in 2023.
Many of last year’s most-read stories not only helped show organizers navigate their biggest challenges, but also celebrated the industry’s steady post-COVID recovery while looking ahead at new ideas, technologies and trends propelling business forward.
Both a year in review and a compendium of resources and ideas, here are TSNN’s 10 most popular articles of 2023:
Trade… more
Jan 08, 2024
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a coalition of professional, industry and labor associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, has unveiled its public policy agenda for 2024.
ECA’s alliance partners and board of directors have identified five key areas of focus for the year ahead, including:
Ensuring a favorable industry operating environment
Growing seamless international travel and commerce
Creating a welcoming environment for the industry in states and cities nationwide
Championing industry-led decarbonization efforts
Developing… more
Jan 04, 2024
Want an assistant who works 24/7, speaks every language and provides responses in seconds?
MCI Group, a global engagement and marketing agency, launched its new AI Assistant, Jade, to provide automation tools for registration, housing and leads. At the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! In December, MCI introduced six new AI products to help trade show organizers, corporate event planners and exhibitors save time, money and manpower, as well as offer insight into real-time analytics based on deep and vast data sets.
“We're anticipating that north of 85% of call… more
Jan 03, 2024
What do you need to know before attending PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 (#CL24)? TSNN put together this list of new and notable networking and education events to help you plan.
Hosted by the San Diego Tourism Authority, CL24 will be held Jan. 7-10 at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC). In 2023, Convening Leaders attracted nearly 3,300 attendees to the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. The 2024 event is on pace to surpass 2023’s attendance, according to PCMA Chief of Staff and Vice President Corporate Communications Meghan Risch.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Convening… more
Jan 02, 2024
Like many event professionals, Stefanie Rowe did not follow a direct path into the hospitality and events industry. If anything, she imagined opening her own dance studio and performing company. While teaching dance classes post-graduation while serving at a local high-end restaurant inside a hotel, Rowe was recognized by a hospitality leader who noted her natural abilities in sales and negotiation and encouraged her to consider hospitality sales and marketing as a possible career.
“I instantly was drawn to the relationship-building, negotiating contracts, the fine details of a perfectly… more
Jan 02, 2024
On Dec. 14, hundreds of dignitaries gathered to celebrate the completion of the Colorado Convention Center (CCC) expansion, a $233 million project that includes a new ballroom, pre-function space and outdoor terrace. The expansion is expected to bring more meetings and conventions to Denver, which last year welcomed more than 36 million visitors who generated $9.4 billion in spending, according to VISIT DENVER officials.
The expansion of the CCC includes the new 80,000-square-foot Bluebird Ballroom that can be subdivided into 19 rooms of varying sizes. Located on the roof of the existing… more
Dec 20, 2023
Reposite, an AI-powered meeting and event planning tool, is collaborating with MPI Academy, the educational arm of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), to introduce the AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program for meeting and event organizers.
Set to launch in January 2024, the new educational program is designed to equip event professionals – including event planners, managers and coordinators, marketing and communication professionals, hospitality and venue managers, and anyone interested in leveraging AI for event design – with the knowledge and practical skills needed to… 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.