News
Jul 14, 2023
Fanatics, a global digital sports platform valued at $31 billion, and IMG, an events and talent management company that’s part of public company Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., have launched Fanatics Events to bring communities together at live events to celebrate all aspects of fandom, including sports, collectibles, memorabilia, fashion, music and entertainment.
Fanatics Events, which is majority owned by Fanatics with IMG as a minority partner, will create fan festivals that feature athletes and brands from across the industry, limited edition apparel drops, musical performances and… more
Jul 14, 2023
On the heels of posting its strongest fiscal year in nearly a decade for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — and many more to come this year and in 2024 — Discover Puerto Rico is further stepping up event marketing efforts with groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) technology.
Through a strategic partnership, Discover Puerto Rico has become the first destination marketing organization to partner with CyberDyme, a leading provider of virtual reality sales and marketing solutions, to provide an immersive sales presentation experience for prospective event clients through its… more
Jul 13, 2023
Last month, the largest annual exhibition and conference for the commercial audiovisual (AV) and information communications industries brought AV professionals from across the globe together again to connect, learn and celebrate a resilient industry on the cutting edge of technological innovation.
Held June 10-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., InfoComm 2023 hosted a vibrant week of showcasing innovative products and solutions, a wide-ranging education program and numerous networking events while enjoying a strong surge in attendee and exhibitor participation. … more
Jul 11, 2023
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville, Fla., is currently undergoing extensive renovations designed to improve the appearance and functionality of its meeting and convention spaces while elevating the event experience for planners and groups attending events in Jacksonville.
The renovation project, which began in April, includes a full facelift of the historic venue’s more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition spaces, including the main Exhibit Hall featuring 78,000 square feet of exhibit space, 33-foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes… more
Jul 10, 2023
Exhibitions remain a valued sales and marketing channel among event teams and their senior leadership, but global inflation — along with increasing exhibit costs — is changing the way budgets are distributed between events or decreasing per-event spend on in-person events in 2023, according to a Exhibit Leader Insights 2023 report released in June. Budget cuts for exhibit-related activities may be looming for those who are struggling to demonstrate exhibit ROI against business and commercial objectives.
Findings from the report shed light on the dynamic nature of exhibit marketing in… more
Jul 07, 2023
A government crackdown on impersonation fraud targeting the business events industry may soon become a reality thanks to efforts spearheaded by the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA) and its 10 professional and trade associations, in addition to numerous other industry entities that make up the face-to-face business events industry.“For far too long, the industry has been preyed upon by the hotel reservation scams and the attendee list scams that not only harm our events but are also a form of identity theft for all the people who get targeted by these scammers,” said Tommy Goodwin,… more
Jul 07, 2023
Event organizers who produce shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Allegiant Stadium will be able to better understand their carbon footprint and identify efficiencies that could lower costs, thanks to a new partnership with nZero.
The tech platform is providing near real-time tracking and management of carbon emissions and water consumption data, helping these event venues gather and analyze granular data 24/7. nZero’s analysis will inform operational decision-making, maximize decarbonization efforts across all facilities and create efficiencies that will ultimately improve their… more
Jul 06, 2023
More than 30,000 professionals from all facets of the jewelry industry recently converged once again at The Venetian and The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas for a week of product sourcing, education and networking at JCK, considered one of the world’s most important jewelry industry gatherings that has served as a global launchpad for jewelry trends, products and brands for three decades.
Held June 2-5, operated by RX and collocated with sister show Luxury, the massive trade show and conference confirmed its status as a one-stop destination that boasts the most diverse selection of brands and… more
Jul 04, 2023
Located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park about 50 miles west of the Asheville Regional Airport, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina opened the Cherokee Convention Center in 2021, adding 85,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space. Owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Harrah’s Cherokee is managed by Caesars Entertainment.
In May, TSNN joined Caesars Entertainment for a trip to the property to find out what Harrah’s Cherokee has to offer exhibitors, trade show organizers and corporate event planners. Here are some of the highlights… more
Jul 03, 2023
Throughout the U.S. and across the pond, event-related organizations are promoting successful team members as well as appointing experienced leaders. Check them out!
Visit Winston-Salem
Stephanie Pace Brown has taken the helm of Visit Winston-Salem as its new president, responsible for overseeing a staff of 17 with the prime directive of generating overnight leisure, convention and sports visitation to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. A tourism industry veteran of more than 30 years, she replaces Richard Geiger, who officially retired on June 30 after leading the organization for 13 years… 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.