News

Feb 04, 2014
Bringing together two in-demand sectors, the IRCE Focus: Web Design + Mobile Commerce event will run for the first time Feb. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando. Craig Dooley, senior vice president of IR Event Group, which also oversees the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, said the decision was made last year to bring two separate events serving Web design and mobile commerce together to form the new one. “We wanted to create a stronger, more compelling event for attendees,” he added. Attendees to the event can take advantage of both conference tracks, as well… more
Feb 04, 2014
The past month has been a flurry of activity with companies either beefing up their ranks or promoting from within. AMC, Inc.’s President and CEO Jeffrey L. Portman has gained another post as the company board’s vice chairperson, effective immediately. Portman has led AMC, Inc. and AmericasMart Atlanta through a period of growth unprecedented in the companies’ 54-year history, commencing with the rebranding of the former Atlanta Market Center as AmericasMart Atlanta in 1996, and continuing with expansion of its U.S. market share and global business base. FreemanXP, an… more
Feb 04, 2014
H.H. Backer Associates will cancel its pet industry-themed trade show – Total Pet Expo Spring - scheduled April 9-11 at the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center. “We simply could not get enough exhibitor support this year to allow us to produce a quality spring trade show that people have come to expect,” said Colette Fairchild, the show’s director.  H.H. Backer’s flagship event, Backer’s Total Pet Expo Fall, which is on tap Sept. 19-21 in Chicago, will continue as an annual event, she added. Exhibitors that have contracted for the spring show… more
Feb 03, 2014
Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense for President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and author of the newly-published book “Duty: Memoirs of A Secretary at War”, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Annual Convention and Trade Show on tap March 19 - 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  “AAHOA prides itself on providing information to our members as well as to our industry that is timely and relevant,” said Mehul Patel, AAHOA chairman.  “The appearance by Robert Gates… more
Feb 03, 2014
The estimated economic impact of U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, formerly known as International Pow Wow, is four times that of the Super Bowl. Bringing 6,000 travel buyers, suppliers and media to a host city for three days filled with upwards of 90,000 one-on-one business appointments, the three-day event packs an economic wallop that extends far into the future. A comparison of the economic impact of the 2013 IPW event held  in Las Vegas with a similar study of the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis shows that, while the Super Bowl attracted more attendees and visitors, the… more
Feb 03, 2014
Already in several cities worldwide, the Consumer Electronic Association’s International CES Unveiled event series will expand to three more - Shanghai, Warsaw and Sao Paulo. The CES Unveiled event series brings innovative technology companies, top media, buyers, analysts and key industry influencers together to showcase new products and tech trends leading up to the 2015 CES. The series currently goes to Paris, New York and Las Vegas. Each Unveiled event will be tailored to the local audience and will debut regional and global research, provide CES news and showcase curated products… more
Feb 03, 2014
For people who love the game of football and always wanted to meet some of the best players face-to-face, Cleveland’s International Exposition (I-X) Center and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are giving them the opportunity with the launch of the venue’s latest consumer event – the Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest. Scheduled May 3-4, the event will enable attendees to interact with 100 Hall of Famers, including such football legends as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Namath, Warren Moon, Anthony Munoz, Rod Woodson, Lynn Swann and Earl Campbell, to name a few. “As a Pro Football… more
Feb 02, 2014
Already partnered with a few other shows to cross-promote attendance and other marketing, Advanstar Communications’ Licensing Expo partnered with one of the company’s other shows, MAGIC Market Week, on a similar initiative. MAGIC Market Week biannually connects more than 5,000 fashion brands with more than 65,000 visitors, across 1 million square feet of exhibit space. Licensing Expo, which represents the $230 billion licensing and brand extension market, draws more than 5,000 fashion, character, entertainment, art and consumer brands from 420 exhibitors and more than 15,000… more
Feb 02, 2014
From marble to bamboo, flooring materials of every kind took center stage at the International Surfaces Event that took place Jan. 28-30  at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The trade show unites SURFACES, StonExpo/Marmomacc America and a new TileExpo, and is produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions. Turning the corner after the recession, it’s all set for growth with new additions and alliances. “The show feels reenergized,” said Amie Gilmore, associate show director of SURFACES. “We went into this year with big goals, and we met them all. Next year… more
Feb 02, 2014
The Professional Convention Management Association continued with their tradition of experimentation by introducing a hackathon, sponsored by FreemanXP and QuickMobile, at this year’s Convening Leaders. The idea was to provide education and provoke interest for PCMA attendees in how mobile technologies can be used at events. The first hackathons date back to 1999, but they became more mainstream in the mid 2000s. A hackathon is an event where software developers come together to collaborate in a specific project. The key to the hackathon is its intensity. The word hackathon is a… 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.