Jul 28, 2022
Riding a wave of optimism following a momentous IMEX Frankfurt 2022, held May 31 to June 2, and being honored in June with the AEO Excellence Awards Best International Trade Show-Americas for its resoundingly successful IMEX America 2021 in Las Vegas last November, IMEX Group has set its sights on its next grand gathering: IMEX America 2022. The show is set for Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the second year in a row. After a few tumultuous years for a global events industry reeling from the pandemic, both exhibitors and buyers have been feeling their way back into the… more
Jul 26, 2022
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping association, event and corporate clients evolve from legacy-based to data-driven operating models, mdg, A Freeman Company, has launched a new division dedicated to research, data and insights.  Consisting of data strategists, scientists, analysts and experts specializing in collecting and evaluating market research and intelligence, this newly-formed department’s mission is to help clients capitalize on technological advances to reach new audiences and create more personal and human customer journeys, from marketing campaigns to meaningful… more
Jul 22, 2022
Puerto Rico is no stranger to crises, having faced and overcome major challenges such as the Zika virus outbreak and Hurricane Irma over the past several years. COVID-19 has been no exception, with the destination showing its profound resiliency as it emerges from the pandemic. Brad Dean, president and CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, highlighted some of the promising numbers at the recent MPI WEC in San Francisco, along with the newly launched "Make Your Meetings Boricua" branding initiative and venue developments. “Rebuilding has been vitally important over the past four years and to position… more
Jul 18, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN), a member of Tarsus Group and the world’s leading news and online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry, has partnered with jwc GmbH, the leading advisory services firm for the trade fair and conference industry, in their launch of venueScout – the definitive global platform connecting professionals looking to organize and host events, and venue operators and service providers looking to capture more business. The partnership aims to promote opportunities for North American and Mexican event venues and service providers to gain more… more
Jul 14, 2022
As staffing shortages continue to plague the meetings and events industry—from convention centers to hotels and beyond—the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is stepping up efforts to lure prospective employees following its recent member survey. According to the results of the survey, which polled 500 properties, 97% of respondents indicated they are experiencing a staffing shortage, 49% severely so. The most critical staffing need is housekeeping, with 58% ranking it as their biggest challenge.   To meet the demand, hotels surveyed are offering a host of incentives for… more
Jul 07, 2022
Mark Johnson, chairman and CEO of Minneapolis-based The STAR Groupe, has acquired leading trade show and corporate event marketing education company Exhibitor Media Group, publisher of the award-winning EXHIBITOR magazine and producer of EXHIBITORLIVE, the national conference and exhibition for trade show and corporate event marketers.  As the founder of Star Exhibits and Environments in 1993, Johnson made a strategic decision following the COVID-19 pandemic to establish a holding company dedicated to serving the face-to-face marketing industry.  “The trade show industry was significantly… more
Jul 01, 2022
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) promised golden opportunities at this year’s World Education Congress (WEC), its signature annual North American event, and it certainly delivered as it ushered attendees into the “new era of events.” With 2022 marking the association’s 50th anniversary, the Golden State’s iconic city of San Francisco set the stage for an innovatively designed three-day gathering filled with insightful education and keynotes on trending topics, top-notch networking events, celebrations honoring its community members and plenty of opportunities to make meaningful… more
Jun 22, 2022
The first IMEX Frankfurt since 2019 proved to be a momentous occasion for the global meetings and events industry, as professionals gathered with colleagues to celebrate the return of events, reconnect, learn from industry peers and conduct business. The show, held May 31 to June 2 at Messe Frankfurt, drew approximately 9,000 attendees, including nearly 3,000 buyers, and 2,300 exhibiting companies. “It’s clearly been a great week for our global industry,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group. “The show was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, and it felt good to be back… more
Jun 10, 2022
Following months of advocacy, travel and events industry entities are praising the Biden Administration’s announcement that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will lift the pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement for inbound air travelers, effective June 12, hailing the move as vital to the industry’s full recovery.   “As the face-to-face business events industry continues to work tirelessly to bring back international exhibitors and attendees to our conferences and trade shows, this welcome news removes one of the key barriers to jumpstarting our industry’s… more
Jun 06, 2022
In celebration of the event industry’s revival and promising post-pandemic future, the recent Connect Spring Marketplace provided meeting and event planners with a plethora of business development opportunities, top-notch education and stand-out meetings and event offerings, highlighted by the vibrant island culture of its host destination, Puerto Rico. Held May 22-24 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) in San Juan, the annual conference and trade show attracted more than 1,700 event professionals. Highlights included a trade show with 30 exhibitors, one-on-one appointments and… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more