News

May 16, 2019
Reed Exhibitions (RX) is launching eight new trade shows this year across six cities: Chicago; Las Vegas; Orlando; New York; Portland, Oregon; and San Diego. A combination of B2B and B2C, the new events include collaborations with leading media brands and associations, geo-clones of RX global brands and value chain extensions of existing RX events. “[Launching new events] is an integral strategic pillar for business growth at RX,” says Hervé Sedky, president of Reed Exhibitions, Americas. “We launched eight events in 2018 that will continue in 2019. To date, RX [Americas] has approved eight… more
May 16, 2019
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Anbu Varathan president of UFI for 2020-2021, making him the first person from India to hold this role in the history of the association. The decision was made yesterday at a board meeting kicking off the annual UFI European Conference in Birmingham, U.K. "I am delighted to be part of UFI’s top leadership in the coming years and to continue with the development and support that UFI has provided the industry for so long,” said Varathan. “As the first president in UFI’s history based in India, I’m even more pleased to have been elected to this position,… more
May 14, 2019
Technology company Chili Piper has launched a new event scheduling tool designed to improve how B2B event managers and field marketing managers book, manage and track individual and group meetings on-site at events. Besides delivering a broader feature set that can be deployed in just hours, the platform is also designed to help event managers improve and measure their event ROI. “The expertise we developed from creating our scheduling platform led us to launching a first-of-kind solution specifically for event managers that meets all their goals,” said Nicolas Vandenberghe, CEO and co-… more
May 14, 2019
American Society of Association Executives enjoyed Salt Lake City so much during its annual conference in 2016, it has selected the destination as its host city for its Great Ideas Conference in 2020, 2021 and 2022. A flagship event for association professionals around the world, ASAE’s Great Ideas Conference will bring together 500 attendees in a retreat-like setting at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. The first iteration of the event here will take place March 1-3, 2020. “The Great Ideas Conference raises the collective capacity for innovation in the association community and… more
May 13, 2019
Emerald Expositions' board of directors appointed Sally Shankland as president and CEO of the company. Shankland will assume her new role on June 1 and will remain a member of the company’s board. Phil Evans, Emerald’s Interim president and CEO, who was appointed when long-time leader David Loechner stepped down, will continue to serve as the company’s CFO. ”Sally’s experience, skills and approach are a perfect match with the Board’s requirements for the Emerald CEO position; and, after conducting a thorough search over the last seven months, I am thrilled to have her accept the position… more
May 09, 2019
The city of Madison, Wisconsin, while less than half the size of Milwaukee, has a lot of things going for it. For one, it has one of the best farmer’s markets in the United States (visit in July and you’ll see what we mean). It also sits right on Lake Mendota, making it a prime spot for water recreation; ranks among the top five healthiest cities in the country; and has a creative, energetic vibe thanks to University of Wisconsin-Madison. It makes sense that many trade show organizers and meeting planners want to capitalize on all of those amenities by hosting events in Madison (among the… more
May 08, 2019
Following a Dallas city audit released in January that scrutinized VisitDallas and its president and CEO, Phillip Jones, the bureau announced he is stepping down. The VisitDallas Board of Directors and Jones came to a mutual decision at a board meeting today. An interim CEO will be announced May 9, and the Board has begun a search for a full-time successor. “The Board is thankful to Phillip for his 15 years of leadership and great career at VisitDallas,” said Mark Woelffer, VisitDallas board chair. He added, “We are proud of the work VisitDallas has accomplished during Phillip’s tenure… more
May 08, 2019
A primary reason many people attend conferences and trade shows is to meet the right contacts and vendors. To support this need, show organizers across industries are launching formalized matchmaking programs designed to help attendees make better connections and everyone is reaping the benefits. Jessica Blue, senior vice president at Licensing Expo—an organization that connects entertainment, character, art and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers—says it created the Matchmaking Service in 2016 to further help its attendees and… more
May 08, 2019
Two event technology companies from across the pond have released new updates and platforms aimed at improving the attendee experience. London-based attendee acquisition software company Gleanin has unveiled a new interface designed to streamline the mobile user experience of its Gleanin Connect social referral marketing platform, which allows event registrants to invite their colleagues using LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp or email. Instead of having to scroll down the webpage to reach the Gleanin dashboard after they’ve registered, mobile users are now immediately directed to an… more
May 08, 2019
April showers brought May new hires to many companies in the trade show and destination marketing world. Here’s all the news you need to know. Big news for the Events Industry Council: The Washington, D.C.-based organization appointed a new CEO in April. Following an extensive global search, Amy Calvert is now leading EIC. She brings more than three decades of experience in the industry to her new role, and was most recently with Visit Baltimore. (Stay tuned for more on Calvert in an upcoming Q&A on TSNN!) Dawn Holden joined Destinations International as vice president of membership… 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.