News

Jul 24, 2018
The 7th All in CARAVANING (AIC) was held for the first time at Beijing Etrong International Exhibition & Convention Center, occupying a total exhibition area of 35,000 m2. Running from 22nd to 24th June, AIC 2018 featured 700 exhibitors including 450 show vehicles onsite. The exhibition attracted over 22,000 visitors from 20 countries. AIC 2018 also introduced its newly launched “Caravaners’ Camping Zone,” showcasing in excess of 200 caravans. Axel Bartkus, General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai), commented, “We have been fully confident in moving to the new exhibition venue. The… more
Jul 24, 2018
London-based ITE Group plc published its trading update covering the period April 1-July 10.  For the quarter ended June 30, revenues were approximately £58 million (US$77 million), representing a 13% increase on a like-for-like basis. Revenues for the nine months ended 30th June were roughly £134 million (US$177 million), a rise of 11% on a like-for-like basis. Net debt was about £53 million (US$70 million) as of 30th June. During the quarter, ITE also announced the acquisition of the Ascential Events. That deal is scheduled to complete on 17th July 2018. And in April, ITE sold its… more
Jul 24, 2018
The organisers of Texcare Asia and the China Laundry Expo signed a deal on 18th July 2018 agreeing to merge the two fairs into a single show covering the textile care and laundry chain industries in Asia. The event will be co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Company, Unifair Exhibition Service Company, the China Laundry Association, and the China Light Machinery Association. The first edition of the merged fair will be held in September 2019 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). It is expected to occupy 30,000 m2 of floor space featuring some 300 exhibitors and 25,000… more
Jul 24, 2018
Alipay, the world’s leading mobile and online payment and lifestyle platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, together with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), have launched a series of joint marketing initiatives aimed at raising destination awareness of Singapore and driving tourist spending among Chinese visitors. Alipay and STB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September 2017 to enhance Chinese tourists’ overall experience in Singapore. Under the MOU, both parties agreed, among other things, to explore co-investing in joint-marketing initiatives to encourage Chinese… more
Jul 24, 2018
A total of 526 exhibitors and 655 brands presented the summer sports trends of the coming season at ISPO Shanghai from July 5-7. More than 14,500 trade visitors, four percent more than at the previous event, learned about new products in the segments of Running, Health & Fitness, Outdoor and Water Sports at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC). The sports market in China is growing in all categories. Half of the Chinese population – approximately 700 million people – buys sports products.  “China is on its way to becoming the largest market for sports articles in the… more
Jul 24, 2018
International Market Centers (IMC) and AmericasMart Atlanta have completed an agreement to create world’s largest owner and operator of top-tier permanent showroom space for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel B2B industries. Operating under the name “International Market Centers,” the combined corporate entity now owns and operates nearly 20 million square feet of permanent showroom space in Las Vegas, High Point, N.C. and Atlanta, as well as more than 20 annual events. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The individual Markets and their respective venues… more
Jul 23, 2018
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will move out of the crowded car show fall/winter timeframe and into summer starting in 2020 in Detroit. In addition, the show will transform into one that was traditionally held just inside the Cobo Center, to taking on more of a ‘festival’ environment and holding events in venues around the city, including outdoors. “Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director, NAIAS. He added, “Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world’s most… more
Jul 20, 2018
Event and conference mobile app developer, Eventbase, has raised $8.56 million in funding from Madrona Venture Group and the BC Tech Fund. The Vancouver-based tech company has also received additional financing from Silicon Valley Bank and Espresso Capital and has raised a total of more than $19 million to date. Founded in 2009 and formerly known as Xomo, Eventbase has worked with major companies including Microsoft, IBM, Cisco and Salesforce, and was named the three-time Gold Winner for “Best Event App” at the 2017 Experience Design & Technology Awards. “Eventbase has taken tremendous… more
Jul 20, 2018
Puerto Rico’s newly established destination marketing organization has been officially dubbed Discover Puerto Rico.  Established July 1, the new DMO will be responsible for all global marketing, sales and promotion of Puerto Rico as a premier destination for leisure and business travelers.  Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico unveiled the entity's new name during the Destinations International Annual Convention, a yearly gathering that attracts more than 1,600 destination marketing and management professionals from across the globe, held July 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center in… more
Jul 19, 2018
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment Corporation broke ground on its newest development: the CAESARS FORUM Las Vegas conference center. Slated to open in 2020, it will feature 550,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event and convention space. As the emcee for the ground-breaking ceremony, Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association and long-time meetings industry veteran, spoke about how when he was first starting in the industry, the meetings market was an afterthought for Las Vegas. Forty years later, the city is now the leading destination for meetings within the U.S.   … 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.