News

May 11, 2022
Seattle’s main meetings and trade show venue recently unveiled a new name and brand identity. Following more than three decades as the Washington State Convention Center, the leading Pacific Northwest events facility changed its name and logo to the Seattle Convention Center (SCC).  According to officials from SCC parent organization Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District (the District), the rebranding better aligns the venue with its hometown while solidifying the organization’s commitment to maintaining a fiscally responsible, self-sustaining operation that… more
May 10, 2022
As the trade show and meetings industry continues its emergence from the pandemic, this year’s Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s (ECA) signature ECA Legislative Action Week couldn’t be a more important and urgent one for event professionals to consider attending.   Set for June 6-10, the week-long virtual event will converge face-to-face business events industry advocates to meet with their members of Congress about the vital role that exhibitions and conferences play in helping communities across the U.S. recover from the devastating economic and employment impacts of the COVID-19… more
May 09, 2022
Born and raised in the Hawaiian islands, Teri Orton’s passion for the hospitality industry started early. In fact, it’s part of her family legacy. Both her parents worked in hospitality, so she was born into and exposed to the industry as a small child, yet never felt the need to rebel against or stray from the family business as a young adult.  After majoring in communications at the University of Hawai‘i and advancing her training in hospitality management through various certifications with Starwood and Hilton Hotels, Orton stayed the course, spending more than 25 years holding an array… more
May 06, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California This unique Los Angeles County beach town has sand, surf, and a lot of local color. No doubt, many consider Venice Beach to be the nerve center for Los Angeles’ quirky, out-there personality. Check out our tips below on how to explore Venice Beach in five unique ways. Stay in the Heart of Venice To stay at the center of Venice Beach culture, book a room at Hotel Erwin, a retro-meets-surf-style boutique hotel with plenty of ocean-view rooms, a rooftop lounge, and a lobby decorated with surfboards. Or stay at the historic Venice Beach Suites &… more
May 06, 2022
Innovative new technology is making it easier than ever to produce the most engaging and impactful events. Check out the latest round of impressive additions! CLIPr CLIPr, a video analysis and management (VAM) platform using AI and machine learning to make recorded videos searchable by transcription, topics and subtopics, debuted a new livestream feature that allows event professionals to engage and connect with audiences in new ways. CLIPr partnered with cloud communications provider Vonage to produce the new feature for its shared customer, event technology platform Grip, which employs… more
May 05, 2022
In an effort to quantify the significant contribution made by the face-to-face business meetings and events sector to the global economy, the Events Industry Council (EIC) launched the data collection phase of its Economic Significance Study and revealed the results of its latest Global Business Events Barometer, showing positive signs for the industry’s recovery.  Conducted by Oxford Economics, the survey portion of the study is open through June 25 and applies to business meetings and events, including conventions, conferences, trade shows, exhibitions and incentives.  The ambitious… more
May 04, 2022
The future is beaming brighter for in-person professional meetings and events, with a recent Q1 2022 survey revealing that 84% of American business travelers expect to take at least one trip to attend conferences, conventions or trade shows in the next six months. The survey, which had more than 2,500 respondents, also found that less than one in 10 business travelers are uncertain if they would travel in the next six months and that business travelers expect to resume traveling at a slightly slower pace compared to pre-pandemic levels, averaging about 1.6 trips per month (compared to 1.7… more
May 03, 2022
There is no doubt that when a trade show goes the extra mile to make a positive difference in its host community, the impacts can be incredibly meaningful. Case in point: the 9th annual Design & Construction Week (DCW), held at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 8-10, which generously donated $13,300 in leftover kitchen, bathroom, living room and outdoor items to an Orlando-area nonprofit with support from the venue’s sustainability coordinator.  As the largest in-person trade show to take place at the facility since the onset of the pandemic, the massive event consisted of two… more
May 02, 2022
Exclusively sponsored by Cadmium Cadmium simplifies the production of events and maximizes the value of online learning with a single, flexible platform designed to capture the chemistry of people, ideas, and knowledge. More than 900 content-driven organizations worldwide count on Cadmium technology for every step of event planning, delivery, and distribution. Let’s take a closer look at Cadmium’s award-winning event management software. For most, it all begins with EdgeReg—a powerful, flexible, and simple online registration solution. EdgeReg offers unprecedented modularity for simple and… more
May 02, 2022
As the trade show industry moves full speed ahead into a busier and more robust season, event-related companies and organizations across North America and beyond are busily forming new business partnerships, opening new offices and strengthening their market share via strategic acquisitions. Check them out! AUVSI The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has partnered with Messe Düsseldorf North America Inc. (MDNA) to co-host XPONENTIAL, the world’s leading trade show for uncrewed systems and autonomy, to broaden its reach to user communities and new market entrants… 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.