News
Jul 06, 2021
Executing an event perfectly every single time doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. A design that is supported by a rock-solid strategy and technology to activate this strategy.
Customer support that comes with your event platform is crucial for success. Here are four reasons to invest in a hybrid event platform that provides dedicated customer support.
1. Simplifies Platform Adoption
A dedicated customer support team will define how your most recent purchase will be adopted and implemented within the organization.
21.1% of tech professionals attributed the lack of tech… more
Jul 05, 2021
Las Vegas has been busy setting the stage for the next generation of meetings and conventions with a slew of new state-of-the-art venues. Now home to 14 million square feet of meeting, conference and exhibition space, the iconic desert destination offers planners more exciting options than ever, with more than 2 million square feet of new space and three resorts launched in the past 18 months alone.
“That additional space will allow Las Vegas to host more meetings and it will allow our current clients to grow their business,” said John Schreiber, vice president of business sales for the Las… more
Jul 05, 2021
A walk down memory lane might do some good when pondering the road ahead for trade shows.
Channing Muller, a public relations specialist in the events industry, thinks back to her days playing SimCity when it first emerged in the 1990s. She wasn’t alone. The game in which players created their own environment, filled with different zones, and then explored it for hours at a time, captivated millions on the internet. “Now people can do that for business,” said Muller.
Intrado Digital Media President Ben Chodor, meanwhile, turns to the times he’d watch the big screen at the 92nd Street YMCA… more
Jul 02, 2021
The deluge of hiring and promoting continues in the trade show industry, with a plethora of event-related organizations appointing new leaders and boosting existing team members up the organizational ladder. Check them out:
Visit Phoenix
Following an extensive nationwide search, the executive committee of Visit Phoenix has appointed Ron Price as president and CEO. He brings 25 years of experience in the tourism industry to his leadership role, most recently serving as president and CEO of the Arlington Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau, and prior to that, as the assistant executive… more
Jul 02, 2021
Staff of Ungerboeck and EventBooking recently broke bread together in St. Louis. Think of it as a “getting to know you” event with the specific purpose of smoothly combining the forces of two of the event industry’s leading software companies.
The merger, announced in May, pools the resources of leading technologies for event and venue management. It is part of a growing trend of consolidation as companies in all sectors seek a path forward in a post-pandemic world and recovering economy.
In this case, said Ungerboeck President and CEO Manish Chandak, the real winners will be the organizers… more
Jul 01, 2021
Maybe it’s because Soundings Founder Tracy Judge makes it her mission to match companies with relevant freelance event professionals that she could see the early signs of a talent crisis. Now that the pandemic is receding, Judge is no longer ahead of her time in raising the alarms about how short-staffed teams are going to operate events.
Across all aspects of the industry, labor shortages will cause anything from headaches to cancellations for the foreseeable future. American Airlines has warned that it will be forced to cancel more than 100 flights weekly into July because it can’t… more
Jun 30, 2021
Like many key aspects of events, food and beverage is having a moment of adaptation as the industry looks to a post-COVID future. For example, buffets aren’t gone completely, but they will look a little different for a while, with health and safety expected to remain a major concern at events for the foreseeable future. But pandemic or no pandemic, F&B remains one of the most discussed aspects of an event, according to Tracy Stuckrath, chief connection officer at Thrive Meetings & Events. She believes that smart planning can help planners turn a complicated event feature into a golden… more
Jun 29, 2021
David Stevens, director of global events and field marketing at Alation, knows a thing or two about planning events. So when Alation was recently evaluating purchasing a booth at a trade show this November in California, his Spidey-sense went off. There were no backup plans should COVID-19 have an unexpected surge or another circumstance forced a cancellation. A digital component was not mentioned because there isn’t one. When he pressed about contingencies, Stevens was told the group would figure it out if they had to.
“There’s this arrogance that events are back,” Stevens said. “They are… more
Jun 28, 2021
In response to audience and industry demand, three leading show organizers are gearing up to launch two new trade shows for the food and beverage and the plastics processing industries next year. Take a look!
SIAL America
Leading global event organizers Comexposium and Emerald have formed a strategic partnership to launch the first large-scale, generalist food show for the $1.5 trillion U.S. food and beverage market: SIAL America. Set to debut March 22-24, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it will co-locate with Emerald’s International Pizza Expo and International Artisan Bakery Expo… more
Jun 27, 2021
There was a time when the most clearly attributable data to track ROI from an event was the revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships. With the advent of virtual events hosted with the help of cutting edge virtual event platforms[1] [2] , measuring the levels of engagement and impact has become easier than ever. But deriving insights from the data still remains a tough challenge. Here are 5 strategic ways to get actionable reporting from your next virtual event:
Focus on insights: Understanding of data and analytics needs time. If you haven’t already, help your team upskill by enabling… 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.