News
Feb 06, 2018
Hurricane Harvey may cause 2017 to go down in history as a tumultuous year for the City of Houston, but that didn’t stop the city from coming back strong while setting another record in convention sales.
For the third straight year, an unprecedented number of room nights tied to future conventions were booked in 2017, according to Visit Houston officials, whose sales team locked down 429 conventions and meetings representing 802,852 room nights, up from 765,401 room nights in 2016.
“Our city is experiencing the return on investments in our convention district,” said Dawn Ullrich, president… more
Feb 03, 2018
For the past 30 years, the 9th largest convention center in the United States hasn’t permitted outside contractors, until now.
Cleveland, Ohio’s 2.2 million square foot I-X Center now will allow trade shows to utilize outside decorating providers specializing in exhibitor services and experience.
Since 1985, the I-X Center exclusively has provided on-site services, which covered all facets of decorator services for trade shows and large corporate events.
The new policy, effective immediately, provides new opportunities for the convention center and planners worldwide.
“After conversations… more
Feb 02, 2018
Last year ended on a positive upswing that will follow into 2018, according to the 20th edition of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s Global Barometer report.
"Globally, the exhibition industry is growing at a healthy rate. Companies around the world are looking into expanding their activities within and beyond their present activities and geographic borders,” said Kai Hattendorf, UFI managing director/CEO.
He added, “In parallel, new business models are under development, and many players in the industry expect them to deliver a relevant share of their company's… more
Feb 01, 2018
Event organizers now have access to another cutting-edge digital solution to help improve the event experience for their attendees. Allcal Events is an interactive calendar and event management platform that gives organizers the ability to build their own mobile event apps, branded online schedules and ticketing services, as well as attain valuable engagement data.
Launched in 2014 as a social calendar solution for personal use that seamlessly syncs events in real time, Allcal kicked off Allcal Events in 2016 after being approached by major conventions about custom-branded solutions that… more
Feb 01, 2018
Two major trade show producers plan to launch a slew of new business-to-business and consumer shows this year.
Urban Expositions/Clarion Events is gearing up to unveil Healthy Food Expo, a new portfolio of trade shows and conferences serving the healthy food component of the restaurant and foodservice marketplace.
The inaugural events are slated to launch in two locations this year: Aug. 18-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center alongside the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and Coffee Fest, and Sept. 6-8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando with the Florida… more
Jan 31, 2018
ASAE Foundation names the five awardees for the Innovation Grants Program (IGP). Each grant recipient will receive $10,000, and they will be recognized during ASAE’s 2018 Great Ideas Conference March 11–13 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
These grants are funded by support from the SunTrust Foundation, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P. and GEICO.
The five awardees are:
American College of Rheumatology
“Uniting Collaborators for Innovation”
Atlanta, Ga.
Association of College and University Housing Officers - International
“Centralized Digital Signage Management”… more
Jan 31, 2018
The 2018 International Home + Housewares Show sold out in late December, more than 10 weeks before opening day March 10 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, according to the International Housewares Association, the show’s owner and operator.
“The high demand to be a part of our world-class marketplace continues for our IHA member suppliers,” said Phil Brandl, IHA president & CEO.
He added, “We look forward to bringing the industry together at the premier global housewares industry event.”
The Show will host more than 2,100 exhibitors from around the world, including 400 new companies… more
Jan 31, 2018
In a move that is quite a departure from their usual investment in events, Diversified Communications recently completed a collaborative project with ReVision Energy and Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) to build a 1.5 Megawatt solar energy farm.
The new system will provide electricity for Brunswick Landing, a business park located at the former Naval Air Station Brunswick in Brunswick, Maine.
As its largest solar installation in the Pine Tree State to-date, Portland-based ReVision Energy completed the 10-row, six-acre installation of more than 4,500 photovoltaic panels just… more
Jan 30, 2018
Ready to source fabric and network with industry peers, buyers flooded into Texworld USA Winter 2018 edition in record numbers. Held Jan. 22-24 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City and organized by Messe Frankfurt, the sourcing event for apparel fabric buyers, research and product development specialists, designers, merchandisers and overseas sourcing professionals takes place biannually in the Big Apple in January and July.
Collocated Apparel Sourcing USA, Texworld USA hosted 4,500 attendees, 371 exhibitors and covered 47,000 net square feet.
In its 12th year, the Winter edition… more
Jan 30, 2018
ConferencePulse is a technology platform that provides sales and marketing intelligence to help event professionals secure sponsors, speakers and venues, as well as determine the right conferences and exhibitions to exhibit at, sponsor and attend.
As a new player in the industry that has only been in business for just over a year, ConferencePulse has rapidly gained recognition. The company has garnered impressive public references for its platform, including winning the prestigious ibtm Technology Watch management and marketing award in Nov. 2017.
We are focused on addressing the pain… 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.