News

Dec 12, 2017
Full-service global event marketing and labor management company, Nth Degree, has finalized an agreement to merge with Atlanta-based Zenith LaborNet effective January 1. The company will be headquartered in Nth Degree’s Duluth, GA office and will continue to operate in all major convention cities across the country and the globe. “This merger with Zenith LaborNet will complement our labor management offering – the combined team will offer best-in-class service in every trade show market, deeper project management talent pools for large projects and city expertise that is unparalleled in the… more
Dec 11, 2017
In his six years as vice president of Sustainability at Freeman, Jeff Chase has become quite proficient at making the case that “sustainable thinking is good for business.” Besides working alongside corporate and association clients to help them produce greener shows, the 30-year industry veteran also serves as sitting chairman of the Events Industry Council’s sustainability committee, where he is passionate about educating the industry about the far-reaching benefits of environmentally-minded shows. TSNN had a chance to sit down with Chase to discuss how far our industry has come, where… more
Dec 11, 2017
With the holiday season upon us, the trade show industry busily continues to grow its ranks and promote from within. In addition, some long-time people in the industry passed away recently. Bob Lozier, former executive vice president of sales and director of The Freeman Company, passed away peacefully at his home with his family Dec. 7 after a long-term illness. Lozier, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, was hired at The Freeman Company by Buck Freeman in 1967 after service in the United States Marine Corps. After a period of employment with Wernecke Exposition Services and United… more
Dec 11, 2017
Private equity firm Onex Corporation has agreed to acquire SMG Holdings Inc., in partnership with its existing management team. “SMG is the global gold standard in venue management,” said Amir Motamedi, a managing director with Onex. “We’re excited to work with Wes, his management team and the general managers within each of SMG’s venues to continue to provide the same world-class service their clients have come to expect.” SMG is the leading global manager of convention centers, stadiums, arenas, theatres, performing arts centers and other venues. The transaction is expected to close in… more
Dec 11, 2017
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) reports that it has already confirmed some 30 major high-profile events in 2018. It is expected to attract close to 440,000 delegates and visitors to the venue next year. New, large-scale events to be held at KLCC in 2018 for the first time include: Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018, 35th International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) International Conference 2018, World Cancer Congress 2018 and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress 2018. In addition to these first time events, KLCC will also host eight European-based… more
Dec 11, 2017
VNU Exhibitions Asia and the Shanghai Northern EASTPO Exhibition Company signed a cooperation agreement on 17th November. Under the terms of the agreement, EASTPO’s flagship exhibition, the Shanghai International Machine Tool Exhibition, will be operated and managed by VNU Exhibitions Asia beginning in 2018. Launched in 1999, the exhibition serves the machine tool, robotics and automation industries. The exhibition addresses the sizable Chinese market as well as attracting a large international audience of exhibitors and visitors. The next edition of the Shanghai International Machine Tool… more
Dec 11, 2017
Global Links Exhibitions & Conferences, an international exhibition organiser, has acquired the Cake Bake & Sweets Show, in order to enter the Australia market. No financial details of the acquisition were disclosed. Global Links Exhibitions currently has offices in London, Dubai, Shanghai, Kolkata and Manila – and organises events in 14 countries. The Cake Bake & Sweets Show was established by National Media in 2014 and was positioned as the largest baking, cake decorating and sweets show in the southern hemisphere. The show has editions in Sydney and Melbourne, and it features… more
Dec 11, 2017
HI Design focuses on the luxury hotel interior design segment organises business matching meetings between key buyers working on active hotel projects and a curated selection of international suppliers. HI Design is held at five star hotels serving three regional markets: Europe, Asia and MEA. HI Design was launched in 2006 in Stockholm. HI Design Asia was launched in 2009, while the MEA edition was launched in 2017. HI Design also features a world-class seminar programme with the latest information on hotel performance and pipeline reports from leading industry analysts, interviews with the… more
Dec 11, 2017
Due to the wide array of sustainability initiatives it has implemented during the years, including the global and national recognition it has received for its sustainability achievements and commitments, the Indianapolis Airport Authority was selected to participate in a panel discussion at the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization Seminar on Green Airports, held Nov. 29 at the UN ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada. Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, served as a panelist speaker in a discussion centered around green-energy… more
Dec 07, 2017
Led by a third-quarter drop in Real Revenues of 3 percent, compared with the same quarter in 2016, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research reports that performance of the exhibition industry is down 0.7 percent. The decrease was a result of factors related to several large exhibitions in the Consumer Goods and Retail Trade (CG) and Sporting Goods, Travel, and Amusement (ST) sectors. The weaknesses in those events were attributable to event-specific factors not related to the overall exhibition industry or the economy, as both consumer disposable income and consumption expenditures… 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.