News
Nov 28, 2022
Taste Trends: Chef Walter Perez, Executive Sous Chef, Walter E. Washington Convention Center/Aramark
Growing up in Guatemala, Chef Walter Perez remembers watching his mom and aunt cooking and admiring their creative talent for combining different ingredients into their recipes, an admiration that inspired his journey into the culinary arts. Fast-forward almost three decades later, and you will find the award-winning chef infusing his talent and passion for food and culture into culinary creations bearing a unique Latin American flair that continues to please meeting and event guests at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., year after year.
“It’s truly a blessing to… more
Nov 23, 2022
Full-service event production company Shepard Exposition Services is bolstering its mission to serve customers, partners and the community while bringing the exhibitions industry together with the “Make an Impact” campaign, set to officially kick off at the International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! 2022.
At “The Show of Shows,” set for Dec. 13-15 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ken., Shepard’s philanthropic spirit will be on full display, as it encourages attendees to stop by its event booth #434 to learn about the company and… more
Nov 23, 2022
CampfireSocial, a private professional network designed for member-based or attendee-driven organizations to form meaningful connections, unveiled IGNITE!, software designed to strengthen industry relationships between exhibitors, sponsors and event organizers via a private networking platform.
Utilizing CampfireSocial technology, IGNITE! streamlines the engagement experience for exhibitors, industry partners and sponsors so they can network among peers directly, form strategic partnerships, identify other companies for cross-collaboration opportunities or joint responses to RFPs, establish… more
Nov 23, 2022
Like many major convention centers across the U.S., Huntington Place is making public safety and security a top priority. On Nov. 4, the downtown Detroit venue rolled out its enhanced public safety and security measures with an all-staff Venue Safety and Security Training offered by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), which provides innovative safety and security guidelines and training to assist venues and their executive teams in managing and prioritizing the protection of all life safety and physical assets.
“Safety is one of the top concerns for meeting planners and… more
Nov 22, 2022
Event professionals expect in-person events and budgets to increase in 2023, according to the 12th annual Global Meetings & Events Forecast, produced by American Express Meetings & Events, a division of American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
The 2023 Global Meetings & Events Forecast is based on a survey of 580 meeting and event (M&E) professionals across the value chain in 23 countries, as well as interviews with industry leaders. Key findings from the report include:
77% of respondents are optimistic about the health of the industry heading into 2023, rating… more
Nov 21, 2022
Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, recently unveiled its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) pilot program, “Tourism for All.” Announced at the 2022 Destinations International Advocacy Summit, held Oct. 26-28 in Bloomington, Minn., the new initiative is designed to support CVBs in being more inclusive, welcoming and accessible to prospective visitors, including event attendees, and tourism businesses.
Launched in partnership with the Charlottesville… more
Nov 18, 2022
Ever since she can remember, Anna Marie Rembold has been gathering people—starting with being the wrangler and organizer of friends as a kid, to organizing large groups of youth, to applying that passion to the corporate world.
“I absolutely love people, and I love—like it’s new every time—seeing the power of people gather and make connections,” Rembold said. “Those connections power the world, and that’s inspiring."
Nowadays, that includes virtual world connections as founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Metavent, a virtual events software platform designed to deliver unparalleled… more
Nov 18, 2022
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is ushering in the next generation of global business event professionals with the selection of 20 people for its annual “20 in Their Twenties” program. The class of 2023 represents business event strategists, suppliers and destinations from the North America and EMEA regions.Supported by the PCMA Foundation and Experience Columbus, the class of 2023 will be honored at PCMA Convening Leaders 2023, set for Jan. 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio.“These 20 leaders represent the future of the global business event industry, as they are making a… more
Nov 17, 2022
While the events industry is bouncing back, the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing challenges event professionals are facing continue to take a toll on their mental health and well-being. To lend a helping hand to those in need, Event Relief 2022, an 11-hour virtual event, will take place on Nov. 29 to raise essential funds for three event industry charities: EventWell, Make It Blue and Meeting Needs.
Founded and led by event professional Dan Assor, creator of The Dan Assor Podcast, the event aims to address one of the biggest obstacles event professionals are… more
Nov 15, 2022
Events are always evolving. Whether through the twists and turns of pandemics, or highs and lows of the latest event tech, events are a constant rollercoaster. No surprise that a huge goal of event marketers and planners is to make sure their event rollercoaster has the longest line of people waiting to ride their experience.
One event format, however, is constantly struggling to get up those hills to provide a thrill at the summit: webinars. They’re a necessity for just about every business, yet hosts and attendees alike find them to be a bit of a slog compared to other types of events they… 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.