News
Jan 31, 2020
After five years at the helm of Reed Exhibitions, Chet Burchett will be retiring from the global company, and Hugh Jones will be stepping in Feb. 1.
“I’m looking forward to bringing more increasingly sophisticated data-led analytics and technology to more customers around the world,” Jones said. “Exhibitions is an exciting, entrepreneurial industry, and the fundamentals of the business are excellent.”
He added, “Combining the best of face-to-face connections with technology and rich data analytics will provide new value to our more than 7 million exhibitors and visitors. This ensures that… more
Jan 30, 2020
More than 7,700 people have been sickened and 170 people have died from the coronavirus in mainland China, while at least 68 cases have been reported in other places around the world, according to the World Health Organization. As WHO meets today to decide whether to declare the coronavirus epidemic an international public health emergency, the outbreak is beginning to impact the Chinese trade show industry.
“With Chinese and international authorities very focused on containment, there is a growing consensus amongst the international organizers we are speaking to that this situation will… more
Jan 29, 2020
UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – has updated its database of initiatives and projects from the exhibition industry that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (which TSNN originally reported on here).
This resource, which was initiated by the UFI Working Group on Sustainability and put together in collaboration with Greenview, a member of this working group, showcases work done by organizers, venues and service providers. It was. The concept was also shared for use by the Joint Meetings Industry Council to expand the compilation to… more
Jan 28, 2020
In a first for the veterinary world, the North American Veterinary Community has launched VMX Virtual, an immersive and interactive 3D platform to transform the world’s largest veterinary conference and trade show into a year-round, on-demand marketplace for exhibitors and attendees.
Intended to be a complement to and extension of its annual trade show and conference, Veterinary Meeting & Expo, the virtual VMX was launched in December 2019, one month prior to the live event. Held Jan. 18-22 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2020 edition of VMX attracted… more
Jan 27, 2020
Upping their games to attract more meeting and convention business in an ever-more-competitive market, major U.S. convention centers are busy with renovation and expansion projects. Here’s what to watch for.
Las Vegas Convention Center District Taking Shape
The 1.4 million-square-foot, $1.5 billion Las Vegas Convention Center District expansion and remodeling project is moving along on schedule. Last fall, the convention center announced it had completed more than 60 percent of the project’s Phase Two expansion, which broke ground in January 2017 and began construction in fall of 2018.… more
Jan 24, 2020
Bishop-McCann — a Kansas City, Missouri-based producer of meetings, incentives and events — has acquired the meetings and events division of ASE Group. Established in 1988, ASE Group (also headquartered in Kansas City) is a meetings and events agency focused on advancing the franchise industry.
This acquisition will allow Bishop-McCann to increase its position in the franchise industry and encourage increased diversification within the industry, according to company officials. Bishop-McCann has produced more than 30,000 programs in 28 countries.
“Bringing more innovation to our clients and… more
Jan 23, 2020
Leaders from industry companies including CadmiumCD, EXPOCAD, Freeman, GES, Map Your Show and Personify A2Z Events are coming together to create a solution to a major problem in the industry: jumbled exhibitor data. This effort of designing common exhibitor data standards is expected to help streamline operations as well as improve the customer experience.
In the past, events providers each had their own practices for managing exhibitor data — and because there wasn’t a standard for providing the data, it created pain points and was inefficient for all involved, explains Rick Britton, GES… more
Jan 22, 2020
Two leading B2C and B2B event producers are hitting the ground running in 2020 by acquiring events and forming new joint ventures.
Nationwide Expos Scoops Up Three Home and Garden Shows
Consumer event producer RJ Promotions has sold three of its home and outdoor shows to Nationwide Expos, one of the largest B2C home show producers in the U.S.
“Nationwide Expos is excited to take over where RJ Promotions left off with some new and innovative features to draw some great foot traffic in these markets,” said Jon Lewis, president of Nationwide Expos.
The three shows include:
Iowa Home Show… more
Jan 22, 2020
At PCMA’s Convening Leaders Conference in San Francisco earlier this month, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition announced its 2020 plans to promote the value of face-to-face meetings, as well as to safeguard the industry from financial and reputational threats.
MMBC’s co-chairs — Trina Camacho-London, vice president of global group sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company — shared the below plans detailing the organization’s approach to advocacy, engagement and continued growth. These were the five main focus areas:
1. Leveraging the… more
Jan 21, 2020
Curious about the new Caesars Forum, Las Vegas’ major new conference center, opening this spring? You won’t have to travel to the Strip to see it—at least not right away. Caesars Entertainment will launch a country-wide tour called “All Roads Lead to Caesars Forum,” beginning next month.
Starting Feb. 11, the five-week tour will make stops in 14 U.S. cities and offer pop-up Caesars Forum brand experiences. The goal is to give meeting and event planners a glimpse into the 550,000-square-foot conference center, which officially opens March 18.
"This tour gives our team a monumental way 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.