News

Apr 26, 2015
I sat in on a most interesting session at the SISO CEO Summit in USA last week. The “Big Guns” were on stage - Mike Rusbridge Chairman Reed Exhibitions, Joe Loggia CEO UBM / Advanstar, David Kieselstein CEO Penton - all discussing their strategies to increase attendance at their events.   Not surprisingly, they are investing heavily developing in-house technology to assist in this strategy. What shocked me was the amount of money they admitted to investing – on average 5% of revenue – annually!   That’s the problem with technology. You can… more
Apr 26, 2015
I sat in on a most interesting session at the SISO CEO Summit in USA last week. The “Big Guns” were on stage - Mike Rusbridge Chairman Reed Exhibitions, Joe Loggia CEO UBM / Advanstar, David Kieselstein CEO Penton - all discussing their strategies to increase attendance at their events.   Not surprisingly, they are investing heavily developing in-house technology to assist in this strategy. What shocked me was the amount of money they admitted to investing – on average 5% of revenue – annually!   That’s the problem with technology. You can… more
Apr 26, 2015
Last week, Google made a significant update to its mobile search engine algorithm. To enable users to find sites that they can browse quickly on their mobile devices, the mobile-friendliness of a web page is now a crucial factor in Google’s ranking for mobile searches.  To quote Google, “users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.” Google recommends webmasters adopt one of the following three ways to go mobile: responsive web design, dynamic serving and separate URLs. But most importantly, irrespective of… more
Apr 24, 2015
In 2014, San Diego Convention Center diverted 60 percent of all event waste, approximately 1,120 tons, from local landfills, setting a new record. The effort is part of the City of San Diego’s initiative to reach 75 percent diversion by 2020 and zero waste by 2040. “We are proud of our ongoing success minimizing the environmental impact of meetings in our facility and our team is committed to building on our strong record.” said Carol Wallace, president & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. Initial recycling efforts at the convention center began in 1990 with the… more
Apr 23, 2015
Keeping up with constantly changing compliance rules and regulations for 196 countries across the globe is an almost impossible task for medical meeting professionals. Even so, it still is a critical one.   Pat Schaumann, author of  “Breaking the Code to Healthcare Compliance” 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Editions said, “Last year the U.S. government collected $8 billion in fines and violations from manufacturers for misreporting and false reporting." A new tool created by a joint venture between Schaumann and BusyEvent Mobile called My Compliance Wizard will help alleviate much of the… more
Apr 22, 2015
Nearly 3,000 meeting and industry professionals recently gathered to attend two American Society of Association Executives events: Springtime Expo, April 8-9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., and ASAE Foundation’s Annual Springtime DC Golf & Tennis Invitational April 10 at Lansdowne Resort. The Springtime Expo’s total number of participants included 1,500 attendees and 1,370 exhibiting personnel with 348 companies occupying 468 booths on the showfloor. The Buyer/Seller ratio was 52 percent buyers to 48 percent sellers.  A highlight of… more
Apr 21, 2015
Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) will cooperate with the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center (ZHICEC), which opened in October 2014, to jointly hold events at the two venues. A cooperation agreement was signed during the “Hong Kong and Zhuhai Convention and Exhibition Industry Cooperation Conference” by AWE’s CEO, Allen Ha, and ZHICEC’s Chairman, Pan Keqing. Under the terms of the agreement, the venues will implement a “one event, two venues” policy to attract more events. According to Allen Ha, the cooperation between Hong Kong and western Guangdong will become closer… more
Apr 21, 2015
ISH China & CIHE – China’s International Trade Fair for Sanitation, Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning, hailed as Asia’s largest HVAC and plumbing exhibition, is scheduled May 13-15.   Organized by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Beijing B&D Tiger Exhibition Co Ltd, the show will take place in Beijing at the New China International Exhibition Center. This year, 2015, marks the fair’s best year to date. The three-day event expects to welcome more than 1,100 exhibitors, covering 90,000-plus square meters across seven halls. With more exhibitors compared to the… more
Apr 21, 2015
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will hold four trade fairs later this month: Hong Kong Houseware Fair, Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair, and Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair. The fairs will reportedly attract over 6,900 exhibitors. In its 30th edition, the Houseware Fair and the Gifts & Premium Fair, will both be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The Houseware Fair will run from 20th to 23rd April, featuring more than 2,100 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions… more
Apr 21, 2015
At the 2015 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ 25th anniversary meeting, held April 13-16 at The Sanctuary on Kiawah, Island, S.C., the sessions tackled several heady subjects, including what keeps the CEOs of these for-profit trade show companies up at night? That question was the part of the first session that kicked off the annual event, which was led by Tarsus Group Managing Director Douglas Emslie and included Britton Jones, president and CEO of Business Journals, Inc.; Sally Shankland, CEO of UBM Americas; and Russell Wilcox, CEO of Clarion Group. In the room filled with not only… 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.