News

Mar 31, 2017
A record 300-plus C-level executives, sponsors and guests spent a few sun-drenched days at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., for the 2017 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ CEO Summit. “The SISO CEO Summit is the largest and more important event of the year for the for-profit side of the global exhibition/event industry and the most valuable part of the event are the participants, they make the event the success it is,” said SISO Executive Director David Audrain. He added, “The majority of the program is an open dialogue and contribution from our members/participants, and it is… more
Mar 31, 2017
Visit Anaheim has harnessed the power of virtual reality by launching its first VR video showcasing authentic Anaheim experiences for the meetings and events industry. The immersive video is the newest addition to the destination marketing association’s set of marketing tools it is leveraging to educate show organizers and meeting planners about the southern California destination, as well as give them a sense of what it’s like to be an event attendee in Anaheim. The video’s storyline begins at the Anaheim Convention Center and moves throughout four other diverse locations… more
Mar 31, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson Leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies chose INTERPHEX 2017 to launch their newest products, with 20 companies debuting new technology at the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry trade show held March 21-23 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.  In its 38th year, INTERPHEX offered attendees a mix of content including more than 104 conference education sessions, INTERPHEX Live discussions, hundreds of exhibits and product launches. The show experienced attendee growth, compared with 2016, and attributes much of that to its robust… more
Mar 30, 2017
Nursing mothers now have a couple of private sanctuaries to retreat to when attending conventions and meetings at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The SMG-managed facility has installed two portable lactation suites for female attendees and exhibitors wishing to breast feed their infants or use breast pumps in privacy. “We are offering the new lactation suites during conventions, meetings, and trade shows to offer comfort and convenience for our guests,” said Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the HCCC. He continued, “Young mothers have had to utilize public restroom spaces or… more
Mar 29, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson Aisles of pipe and drape; panels, roundtables, keynotes; networking mixers and the standard preshow marketing of emails, postcards and social media updates – safe to say, there is a tradeshow model. However, this model can make it hard for an attendee to differentiate one show from another. What can tradeshows do to stand out, change the attendee experience and see different results in terms of attendance numbers and exhibitor sales and leads? Personalize it. “Event attendees look for an experience that is tailored to helping them achieve their goals: making the right… more
Mar 29, 2017
Kaon Interactive’s new augmented reality solution, Kaon AR, made a big splash in Las Vegas – so much so it won the EXHIBITORLive 2017 New Product Showcase Buyer’s Choice Award. Kaon AR was one of 44 products debuted in the New Product Showcase at EXHIBITOR, an annual event for trade show and corporate event marketers that took place March 12-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The software company was one of five innovators to take home the annual award that recognizes the top product innovations of the year.  “We are honored to have been recognized as the… more
Mar 28, 2017
In order to meet the growing needs of convention groups, retain existing clients and compete with other similar-sized destinations for group business, more and more cities and their convention and visitors bureaus are recognizing the importance of investing in convention center upgrade and expansion projects. The city of Cincinnati, Ohio is such a destination. The Queen City is setting its sights on expanding the 49-year-old Duke Energy Convention Center, which was renovated in 2006 but hasn’t undergone a significant exhibition space expansion in nearly three decades. At the Cincinnati USA… more
Mar 27, 2017
Global events strategy consultancy AMR International and U.S.-based event organizer Lippman Connects will partner to launch Transform, a new conference that will tackle the data, analytics and digital strategy revolution of the exhibition industry. The conference will provide critical insight to senior leaders of U.S. exhibition organizers, as the industry struggles to embrace data, analytics and digital technologies. The Transform conference follows on from AMR’s Data and Digital Event Strategy Symposium held in London. “This event comes in response to the industry’s ongoing reluctance to… more
Mar 25, 2017
It’s not about registration types or membership categories when it comes to acquiring attendees for your events. Attendees are motivated by what is important to them, personally, professionally, at the time of clicking “register here.” On this week’s #ExpoChat we’re going to unpack what Personas are, why they are important, and how you can use them to enhance attendee acquisition and retention. Here are some questions that will be discussed: ·       What are “Attendee Personas” and how are they different from membership or registration types? ·   … more
Mar 25, 2017
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not for profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has unveiled its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee. The AWE Awards Committee was formed with a vision to create an engaged group of recognized people and programs that exemplify AWE values to serve as an ongoing resource for inspiration, guidance and leadership. The AWE Hall of Fame will recognize the advancement of women in events by honoring women and men with a categorical award. Categories for nominations are: Disruptor… 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.