A.J. Titus

A.J. Titus is president of Signarama, a sign and graphics franchise and the largest brand at United Franchise Group. In his role, Titus leads the brand’s growth efforts worldwide while also helping current franchise owners expand their businesses and maximize profitability. He is also president of Starpoint Brands, a family of award-winning brands that provide products and services known for quality, reliability and value.

Dan Sundt

Dan Sundt is an adjunct Brand Strategist and Master Designer for Design Studio by Maritz. By applying advanced experience design tools to events, he helps organizers deliver much better satisfaction and business results to all stakeholders.

Irina Shateeva

Irina Shateeva is PR Manager at ExpoFP, an interactive floor provider that saves time on event management, increases revenue and makes navigation easier with digital wayfinding. She has more than six years of experience in PR and organization of business events worldwide, including her role as conference producer at RX.

Tommy Goodwin

Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. He leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.

NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

Overview:

The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events.

Rayna Katz

Rayna Katz has been covering the trade show and meeting industry for over 25 years. She has been a staff editor at MeetingNews, BizBash and Meetings Focus and has written for Skift, The Meeting Professional, Meeting Mentor and a host of other industry publications. 

Morten Brøgger

Morten Brøgger is CEO of MapsPeople, a Danish-based, market-leading provider of indoor mapping. He has many years of leadership experience with multiple prominent SaaS businesses throughout the world, including Wire, Huddle and MACH.

Nashira Edmiston

Nashira Edmiston is the Customer Service Manager at Stomp Stickers, an e-commerce business offering high-quality custom labels, stickers, boxes, canopy tents and more to fit every industry’s needs. Her passion is helping her customers brand and market their products through a variety of custom-printed items.

The Role of Creativity and Innovation in Event Success

In the dynamic landscape of event management, one element stands out as a game-changer when it comes to long-term success: innovation. By weaving creativity and innovation into the fabric of your event, dramatic improvements in engagement, attendance and revenue can be achieved. The team at MCI USA specializes in this, ensuring your events are not only spectacular but also deliver on their business goals.

Roy Benear

Roy Benear, divisional director of sales for SmartSource, is focused on creating client partnerships built on trust, purpose, collaboration and delivering “best in class” service. His passion for the industry is based on his belief in the power of bringing people together to connect, inspire and engage with each other.

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.