News

Nov 07, 2017
Last month, 5,250 engineers and executives responsible for assembly manufacturing converged at the 5th Annual ASSEMBLY Show, held Oct. 24-26 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. ​​​​​The trade show and conference, which focuses on assembly technology, equipment and products, boasted a 12 percent increase in attendance and a 15 percent increase in exhibit space, compared with 2016, according to BNP Media, which produces the show. The bustling event drew 295 exhibiting companies occupying 76,800 net square feet of expo space, with nearly 8,000 industry professionals… more
Nov 06, 2017
Let’s apply a Keep, Start, Stop framework to some of the challenges and opportunities we have as trade show professionals. Bring your opinions on marketing personas, double carpet padding, elephants in the room, lead retrieval and experience design this Weds. At 1 p.m. ET to the #Expochat Tweetchat. You could be the one offering advice to change someone’s life, or you could be the person giving thanks around the turkey day table that a friendly participant on #Expochat just inspired your next big idea! Join guest moderator Dana Freker Doody from The Expo Group, where she’ll lead a… more
Nov 03, 2017
In the third quarter of 2017, GES revenues dipped 19 percent to $232 million, compared with $287 million during the same quarter the year before, primarily led by negative show rotation. The results were in line with expectations.  Two of the largest shows on the TSNN Top 250 trade show list – IMTS and MINExpo, as well as the Farnborough International Airshow, all were off cycle. In addition, revenues were down because of missing estimates on short-term bookings with On Services, GES’ AV division that was acquired August 2016. Steve Moster, CEO/president of GES and Viad, explained: “Much… more
Nov 03, 2017
The NACS Show celebrated a record-breaking jump in attendance and size at its most recent event, held Oct. 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago. As the largest annual trade show and conference for the U.S. convenience and fuel retailing industry, the 25th annual NACS Show boasted a 7 percent increase in overall attendance, drawing in 24,940 attendees from 63 countries, and a 3.3 percent growth in buyers (classified as retailers and convenience distributors, including Petroleum Equipment Institute registrants), according to The Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing, which owns and… more
Nov 02, 2017
Full-service event production company, Shepard, has launched tecCONNECT, a suite of technology solutions designed to help event organizers navigate and select the right tech offerings for their specific needs. Comprising three primary service offerings: Select, Consult and Insights, tecCONNECT solutions range from tech vendor matchmaking to integration and implementation to artificial intelligence-powered data services. “Our goal is to help our customers use technology to design and deliver events with enhanced experiences that benefit their participants, as well as their organizations,”… more
Nov 01, 2017
Leading a show from a top for-profit business-to-business exhibition company or an association with a sizable trade show is no easy task. That’s why TSNN and Access Intelligence Research & Consulting recently partnered with the Society of Independent Show Organizers to take a deeper look into what current challenges leaders in the exhibition industry are facing. The TSNN Research Report – “The Exhibition Management Leadership Study:  How SISO Members and Top Associations are Positioning for Growth and Innovation” - is the latest in a series of reports from TSNN and AI. “SISO is… more
Nov 01, 2017
Trade show and meeting planners choose their destinations carefully, bringing many factors into the decision-making process. One factor is the city’s appeal as a travel destination. According to International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ (IAEE’s) Decision to Attend Study, 78 percent of attendees cite the destination as a top driver for attending a convention. It’s little surprise then, that Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are helping planners promote the destination to their audiences. “We’ve seen a pretty dramatic shift over the last few years in convention and event… more
Oct 31, 2017
NPE2018: The Plastics Show has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce to participate in its 2018 International Buyer Program (IBP). The IBP is a joint government-industry effort under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) that brings thousands of international buyers to the U.S. for B2B matchmaking with U.S. firms exhibiting at major industry trade shows. Every year, the IBP results in approximately a billion dollars in new business for U.S. companies and increased international attendance for participating U.S. trade show organizers… more
Oct 31, 2017
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has launched a new tool to enable show organizers to calculate the exhibitor retention rate for a given event and then measure it against key benchmarks, including the overall exhibition industry and the specific industry sector. Leveraging business intelligence services powered by a2z, the CEIR Exhibitor Retention Benchmarking Tool uses standardized data derived from 900+ tradeshow, analyzed over a period of three years. Each event in the dataset is categorized based on its CEIR industry sector assignment. "The CEIR Exhibitor Retention… more
Oct 30, 2017
Kicking off with an opening night reception Nov. 1 at the Johannesburg, South Africa-based Sandton Convention Centre, the 84th UFI Global Congress is set to gather hundreds of exhibition organizers and suppliers from all over the world to take a deep dive into “Raising the Odds: Pressures and Profits in the Exhibition Industry.” “UFI‘s Global Congress brings together the global leaders of the exhibition industry. We will welcome more than 420 participants from more than 55 countries this week in Johannesburg,” said UFI Managing Director/CEO Kai Hattendorf. He added, “Besides the… 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.