News
Jun 08, 2022
The pet industry’s premier trade show and conference for pet retailers, product manufacturers, importers and thought leaders recently converged in Orlando, Fla., to celebrate a triumphant return to live and in-person events. Hosted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the 18th annual Global Pet Expo took over the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) March 23-25, attracting more than 5,400 buyers, 722 exhibitors and a fair share of adorable cats and dogs.
According to show officials, 52% of buyers were first-time attendees and… more
Jun 07, 2022
Ungerboeck, a global leader in event management software, has acquired the products of risk management agency Reliance Risk and will be debuting an industry-first application for mitigating risk at events and venues.
As the industry continues to be impacted by major issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, accidents and severe weather incidents, risk management is an increasingly essential factor that venues and event professionals must take into consideration. Ungerboeck is committed to helping its customers better manage risks of all kinds.
The acquisition of both Reliance… more
Jun 06, 2022
When asked how she started her career in convention facility management, Peggy Daidakis chalks it up to being in the right place at the right time. The much-respected convention industry veteran started her events career in the late 70s at the genesis of Baltimore’s meetings and events industry, cutting her teeth as an event coordinator and sales representative for the newly formed Baltimore Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Baltimore), tasked with attracting conventions and trade shows to the soon-to-be-opened Baltimore Convention Center (BCC).
“I was working as an aide to the… more
Jun 03, 2022
Leading event and media company Emerald formed a new division designed to accelerate its market diversification strategy by launching dynamic brands that curate year-round communities through face-to-face and digital experiences.
Emerald Xcelerator will build upon the company's broader capabilities across a diverse portfolio of brands and services, including more than 150 events, media, content, market intelligence, lead generation and digital transactional solutions, according to Hervé Sedky, president and CEO of Emerald.
“[With Emerald Xcelerator], we will harness the power of discovery… more
Jun 02, 2022
The Events Industry Council (EIC) and Vsef, founded by Explori as the global standardized data format for the digital events industry, formed an alliance to further the mission of establishing data standardization for digital events to help organizers drive growth and innovation.
The EIC, a global federation of more than 30 member organizations representing more than 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties in the events industry, works to establish professional standards of excellence across the entirety of the international events community through initiatives including the EIC… more
Jun 01, 2022
Shepard, the third-largest event services provider in the U.S., has teamed with Bear Analytics, a leading data analytics firm for event producers, trade associations and professional societies, to help show organizers address the ever-important aspect of event data to drive revenue and quality attendance.
Knowing that show organizers don’t always have the time or resources to invest in big data projects, the partnership is a win-win on all fronts, according to Cory Smith, vice president of strategic services at Shepard, which is committed to providing clients with signature full-service… more
May 31, 2022
The International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC) West recently wrapped up the first major security and public safety event of the year, boasting record-breaking attendance growth. Held March 22-25 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas and hosted in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), the leading annual comprehensive and converged security trade show and conference in the U.S. had an 88% increase in participation compared to its 2021 West event, which took place July 19-21 at the same venue.
According to officials from RX, which owns and produces… more
May 30, 2022
Spring continues to blossom with a slew of new hires and promotions and newly created positions at trade show and event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad. Here’s the latest news about hard-working professionals in the trade show industry that you need to know!
Spiro
Spiro, the brand experience agency within the GES Collective, has named marketing, PR and digital media content veteran Beki Winchel its thought leadership and innovation director. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, she will focus on creating impactful thought leadership content, strategies and campaigns designed to… more
May 27, 2022
Exclusively sponsored by Shepard
The need for show organizers to integrate a digital engagement strategy into their event plan continues to prevail as the industry progresses. While the evolution of the event landscape has posed new challenges, the industry shifts have also created an immense amount of opportunity.
The idea of “connections were made, business was done, the show is closed, the job is complete,” is a methodology of the past when it comes to interacting with your audience. Now more than ever, organizers should be looking for ways to deliver omnichannel experiences for… more
May 27, 2022
Having worked in advertising and marketing agencies in her native Lebanon, then for an event publishing company in Montreal, Rachel Stephan launched her own event marketing agency in 2001—yet she always wanted to create a tech product that would become her legacy.
Her “aha moment” came in 2015 after seeing the successful results of the unique word-of-mouth campaigns her company was running.
“I thought, ‘How can we scale this? How can we better measure it?’” she said. “One summer, we created our first pilot of the project, and my software engineer said nonchalantly, ‘Let’s call it ‘Boule… 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.