News

Apr 03, 2018
Reed Exhibitions unveiled seven event launches in 2018 across five cities, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Orlando and Santa Monica. The events are a combination of B2B and B2C. Some are in collaboration with leading media brands, some are geo-clones of RX global brands and others are value chain extensions of existing RX events. "Included in RX's strategy for 2018-2020 is organic growth via launch. I am pleased to announce our 2018 launches which leverage RX's existing sector experience, but also provide RX entry into new growth areas,” said Hervé Sedky, president of Reed… more
Apr 03, 2018
VISIT Milwaukee has launched a new website designed to redefine the city’s image for visitors and capture the spirit of Milwaukee’s people, neighborhoods, events and attractions, while driving visitation to the region. The new site, which went live on March 17, has been expanded beyond the meeting planner to the convention attendee with entertaining new features including a slot machine-style “randomizer” on the homepage that provides a fun way to discover exciting things to do in the city, as well as a “My Trip” tool that allows visitors to plan their Milwaukee trip by curating a virtual… more
Apr 02, 2018
There is a lot of noise and competition out there, which means it’s getting more and more challenging for brands to really stand out and catch the attention that they need. To help brands figure out what tools might help them rise above, Next Events Media Group, run by trade show industry veterans Britton Jones and Sharon Enright, will launch a new show – BRANDXCELERATOR – Nov. 11-12 at at New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion located at 125 West 18th Street. BRANDXCELERATOR is a one-of-a-kind conference and trade show to provide mid-market company owners and top managers the branding tools and… more
Mar 30, 2018
Two convention cities have been busy planning new event spaces and beautification projects to attract even more group business to their respective destinations.   The City of Las Vegas and International Market Centers, owners and operators of World Market Center Las Vegas, have set their sights on developing a new 350,000 square foot Expo Center in downtown Las Vegas adjacent to the WMC. The new multi-use building would be constructed on the nearly 60-acre World Market Center Las Vegas campus, which currently comprises three interconnected showroom buildings with more than five million sq.… more
Mar 29, 2018
Lance Fensterman has been promoted to president of Global ReedPOP, the rapidly growing pop culture division of Reed Exhibitions that he helped to conceive and launch. Thanks to Lance’s vision and leadership, ReedPOP has become the leading producer of pop culture events in the world, and is the fastest-growing portfolio within Reed Exhibitions, according to company officials. "Lance’s passion is unmistakable and contagious, and that passion has driven the explosive growth of ReedPOP from a quirky offshoot of Reed Exhibitions to the global powerhouse brand that it is today" said Hervé Sedky… more
Mar 29, 2018
For the first time in Freeman’s 90-year history, a non-family member was named its fourth CEO – Bob Priest-Heck. “We are focused on building our clients’ brands and helping them succeed in a dynamic environment by creating meaningful brand experiences that help build relationships and drive clear and measurable outcomes,” said Joe Popolo, CEO of The Freeman Company, the newly created parent company that encompasses Freeman, Encore Event Technologies and Alford Media. He added, “Bob is no stranger to this, having previously served as the president of Freeman. He has a history of driving… more
Mar 28, 2018
Robots sparring with light sabers, t-shirts printed on the spot for a good cause, genetic testing companies and lots and lots of AR and VR were just a few of the highlights at the South by Southwest (SXSW) main trade show that ran March 11-14 at the Austin (Texas) Convention Center. This trade show actually was just one of many that ran during the two-week SXSW main event that drew together 70,000+ attendees in the interactive, film and music industries for parties, brand activations, sessions and keynotes. TSNN touched base with Brittani Mathis, senior exhibitions manager, before SXSW… more
Mar 28, 2018
Michael Fetter has been hired as the director of marketing in the Marketing Communications department for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Before coming to the bureau, Fetter was a media buyer for Bandy Carroll Hellige (BCH), as well as a marketing manager for Phoenix Process Equipment Company where he oversaw all strategic marketing and communications plans. Fetter returned to BCH in 2016 as an account manager, with the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau among his clients. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in… more
Mar 27, 2018
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not-for-profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has launched 2018 nominations for its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a lifetime honor,” said Marie-Claire Andrews, AWE board member and chair of the AWE Awards Committee. “It doesn’t begin and end with a simple recognition, rather our winners will be part of our community and celebrated long-term!” This is the program’s second year. See 2017 inductees here. The program… more
Mar 27, 2018
In an effort to further the mission of its members, the International Housewares Association (IHA) has selected Ungerboeck Software as its new event management solution provider. “We wanted a turnkey system that will provide IHA with streamlined operations to increase productivity and improved reporting with data analytics,” explained Dean P. Kurtis, vice president of finance and information technology of IHA, which produces the International Home + Housewares Show and represents more than 1,700 member companies. According to Kurtis, after evaluating a myriad of options, IHA’s team… 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.