News

Sep 10, 2015
Trade show mergers and acquisitions are in full swing, with two big organizers – Urban Expositions (recently bought by Clarion Events) and Marketplace Events – scooping up more shows for their rapidly expanding portfolios. Hot on the heels of the first acquisition, Womens Wear in Nevada, under the Clarion ownership, Urban Expositions also bought Hamptons Expo Group. The New York-based show group founded and produces ArtAspen, ArtHamptons, Houston Fine Art Fair and Palm Springs Fine Art Fair. Rick Friedman, former owner and president of Hamptons Expo Group, will continue his involvement in a… more
Sep 10, 2015
In just a few days, C-level trade show organizers, suppliers to the industry, financial experts, invest banking firms and media will gather Sept. 16-17 in Chicago for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s (CEIR) Predict – Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference. The past couple of years, the conference typically was broken up into experts talking about specific market sectors, but this year, led by Britton Jones, president and CEO of Business Journals Inc. and CEIR’s board chairman, the program has been redesigned. “We are very excited about our 2015 program. We took a deep dive… more
Sep 09, 2015
The inaugural China Homelife and China Machinex shows recently kicked off in South Africa.  Chairman of Meorient International Exhibition, Eric Pan, welcomed all Chinese exhibitors and Southern African buyers to the inaugural shows saying, “Meorient International Exhibition is thrilled to be bringing the shows to South African soil for the first time.” He added, :Fairs such as China Homelife and China Machinex create opportunity for buyers to source quality products directly from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers, further increasing trade between South Africa and China.” The two… more
Sep 09, 2015
ibtm events (www.ibtmevents.com), an event that brings together hosted buyers and  suppliers for the meetings and events industry, has confirmed that Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau is to become the official ibtm events Global Partner across its portfolio of events on five continents.   As a result of the partnership, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau will benefit from global visibility, access to business and a powerful network of connections to support their positioning as a leading destination for meetings, conventions, incentives and events.   The… more
Sep 09, 2015
As a key part of the German Convention Bureau’s (GCB) already announced plans to step up its efforts in the international meetings market and specifically in China, the GCB has appointed Henghong Yang to head its new Beijing office, which opened Sept. 1. "Our new team member Mr. Yang brings just the experience we need to solidify our marketing and relationship development work in China. The Chinese market holds great promise and we are delighted to have the office up and running under Mr. Yang’s leadership," added Matthias Schultze, managing director of the GCB. This new China office joins as… more
Sep 09, 2015
Asia’s fair for the home textiles industry recently was held, with new records set for exhibitor, visitor and exhibition space figures. More than 43,000 trade buyers (2014: 43,189) attended Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2015, which was held for the first time at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) across 170,520 square meters (2014: 150,400). The 1,402 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions (2014: 1,334) that took part was also a new high point in the fair’s 21-year history. “We’re delighted that our first edition in this new venue was such a… more
Sep 09, 2015
Messe Düsseldorf announced that Thomas Schlitt has been appointed as Managing Director in India taking over the role from Udo Schuertzmann, who left the company at the start of the year. After opening their first office in India in 1982, Messe Düsseldorf currently organises eight events in India covering the medical sector, packaging sector and industrial processing sector. With plans to strengthen their current trade fairs on the ground and extend their event portfolio, Thomas Schlitt noted that the market potential focused medical device technologies, packaging and mechanical engineering… more
Sep 09, 2015
Worlddidac Association has announced that Worlddidac Asia, a major educational resource trade show and conference, will return to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in 2016. The show’s seventh edition will be staged at HKCEC on 7th to 9th June. Worlddidac Asia 2015 was previously held in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld-Expo. The show attracted nearly 6,000 visitors from 35 countries and featured exhibitors including non-governmental organisations, education organisations as well as public and private schools. Worlddidac 2016 will address three education opportunities in Asia:… more
Sep 09, 2015
Reed Hongda Exhibitions announced that Shanghai International Auto Aftermarket Fair (SIAAF), which was scheduled to be held Sept 23-25 in Shanghai, will be postponed. Reed Hongda did not disclose the reasons for the postponement of SIAAF. The exhibition organiser only pointed out that the challenges of the timing of the event and additional external factors beyond their control were the major reasons behind this postponement. This is turning out to be a turbulent year for Reed in China following the logistical challenges surrounding Reed Sinopharm’s medical exhibitions in May. The co-… more
Sep 08, 2015
Michael Gehrisch’s 15-year tenure as president and CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), the global association representing the destination marketing industry, has ended. “We are thankful and appreciative of the leadership and significant contributions Michael has made during his tenure which have made a positive impact on the growth and respect of the destination marketing industry internationally. We wish him the best as he moves on to a new chapter in his life,” said Bob Lander, chairman of the DMAI Board of Directors and president and CEO of the Austin Convention… 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.