News
Jul 06, 2017
Blackstone, through funds managed by Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire International Market Centers (“IMC”), an owner and operator of showroom space for the furnishings, home decor and gift industries, from Bain Capital Private Equity, LP and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Fireside Investments also is expected to partner with Blackstone in the acquisition. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
At the IMC venues, there are several trade shows, including the High Point… more
Jul 06, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson
If your event has a blog, you’re engaged in content marketing. A social media channel? Yes, content marketing again. An e-newsletter? You guessed it – content marketing. Whether show planners call it “content marketing” or not, many are using content marketing tactics to promote their events.
Content marketing can build brand awareness, maintain connections and engagements with audiences between events and provide support to help attendees “make the case” to their supervisors for participating in an event.
Over time, well-executed content marketing can push… more
Jul 05, 2017
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched an improved and mobile-friendly website, visitdetroit.com.
With an attractive, redesigned interface that combines meetdetroit.com, visitdetroit.com and the Visit Detroit blog, the new website provides users with a more comprehensive and streamlined online experience.
“The new and improved visitdetroit.com offers the best possible online experience for leisure travelers and convention attendees,” explained Larry Alexander, DMCVB president and CEO.
He added, “Enhanced functionality, planning tools and… more
Jun 29, 2017
LIGHTFAIR International boasted its largest show and Philadelphia registration numbers at its most recent event, held May 7-11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference registered 27,939 attendees from 81 countries spanning 277,600 net square feet of expo space, with registration exceeding its 2016 event and increasing 7.4 percent, compared with its 2013 Philadelphia show.
“LFI 2017 was by every measure a study in superlatives with the trade show and conference eclipsing all predecessors in staging, scope… more
Jun 27, 2017
A recently released independent global study demonstrates that CMOs, brand managers and event planners across the world are putting more emphasis on in-person brand experiences.
This is according to the 2017 Freeman Global Brand Experience Study, conducted by Freeman and SSI, provider of data solutions and technology for consumer and B-to-B survey research, which polled nearly 1,000 marketing professionals across North America, Asia and Western Europe in roles focused on both B-to-B and B-to-C segments.
The results confirmed that brand experiences matter to marketers, who trust well-designed… more
Jun 27, 2017
UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry has named Artexis Easyfairs as winner of the 2017 UFI Education Award.
The theme for this year’s UFI Education Award was employee retention. Retaining talented individuals and helping them to continue to develop their skills is an important area of focus for all Human Resource departments.
This year’s award was designed to recognize those companies that have developed an effective HR strategy that aims to recognize talented employees, and encourage them to continue to develop their skills whilst remaining engaged as key members of the… more
Jun 27, 2017
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is leveraging immersive virtual reality technology to attract more business and leisure visitors to the Derby City by launching its first-ever 360-degree VR video series.
Featuring one-of-a-kind augmented reality graphics and a unique take on the 360-degree viewing experience, three films comprise the series:
Uniquely Fresh: Louisville’s Culinary Scene – Showcases Louisville’s farm-to-table culinary scene and features 10 local culinary experiences including 8UP; Crescent Hill Craft House; Harvest; Jack Fry’s; Mike Linnigs… more
Jun 26, 2017
In the ever-evolving journey to take the trade show industry in a more sustainable direction, certain stakeholders appear to be getting creative by experimenting with fun and unique ways to cut down on the massive amounts of waste most events typically produce, including food waste.
Case in point: the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and its exclusive food and beverage provider, Centerplate, which hosted a “Zero Waste Lunch” on May 10 at WasteExpo 2017, held May 8-11 at the New Orleans-based facility.
Created in partnership with the convention center, Centerplate, GES, Salvage Supperclub… more
Jun 23, 2017
Licensing professionals have come to expect a plethora of cutting-edge show features when they converge at the annual Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, including a bustling expo floor, keynotes, presentations, celebrity appearances, educational sessions and invite-only entertainment showcases.
But for the second year in a row, the world’s largest licensing event offered something even more compelling to help attendees and exhibitors make more meaningful, face-to-face business connections: matchmaking technology.
Conducted at its most recent event, held May 23-25 at the Mandalay Bay Convention… more
Jun 22, 2017
In response to customer demand and in pursuit of an ongoing effort to grow its group business throughout Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International has officially broken ground on an approximately $130 million expansion of the MGM Grand Conference Center.
Scheduled to be completed at the end of 2018, the project entails a 250,000 square foot expansion of the facility that will increase its footprint to more than 850,000 sq. ft.
In addition, Stay Well Meetings, a wellness meetings experience featuring amenities and programs designed to stimulate healthy, productive and creative work environments,… 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.