News
Jan 04, 2023
The Niagara Falls Convention Centre (NFCC) in Ontario, Canada recently became a more accessible and inclusive venue for all event participants, thanks to a partnership with KultureCity, a leading national non-profit organization that works to create sensory accessibility and inclusion for sensory-sensitive individuals.
Through this partnership, the largest convention venue in the Niagara Falls region became the first convention facility in Canada to be Sensory Inclusive Certified. To receive these important credentials, the NFCC team underwent training by leading medical professionals to… more
Jan 03, 2023
Leading venue management company and live experience producer ASM Global recently hosted an awe-inspiring, firework-laden grand opening ceremony for the new Exhibition World Bahrain, one of the largest convention centers in the Middle East, with more than 1 million square feet of trade show and conference space.
The new venue’s launch marks a milestone for the Kingdom of Bahrain’s economic development and is expected to play a key role in advancing the economic competitiveness and positioning of Bahrain as a major global destination for regional and international meetings and conventions,… more
Dec 30, 2022
Vsef Makes New Versions of Standards Guides for Event Data Available for Download and Implementation
Responding to the event industry’s need for a standardized data structure and communications protocol for digital, in-person and hybrid events, global assurance provider BPA Worldwide announced that versions 2.0 of the VSef (Virtual Standard Export Format) Standards Guide and VSef API Standards Guide are now available to download, review and implement.
VSef, which was acquired by BPA Worldwide in September 2022, is a data file reporting format designed to streamline the collection and exchange of data within the events industry by establishing standard data structures and common naming… more
Dec 29, 2022
Straight out of college, Kelly Gleeson Smith knew she had fallen into her dream career after landing her first job in “meeting connection sales” at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas. From the start, she reveled in what she described as the “power of meetings” that affect so many people.
“It was like a pebble falling into the water, and then the centrifugal rings just continue to expand,” Gleeson Smith said. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is an amazing industry.’”
She became very passionate about face-to-face interactions and where her career could go, traveling the world… more
Dec 20, 2022
Over the course of each year, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., routinely works with sustainably minded clients to help them donate leftover food and unwanted materials after their events. With food and event waste still a glaring problem at many trade shows and conferences, this charitable effort not only helps keep leftover food and event items out of landfill, but also helps positively impact local community nonprofits working to combat hunger and assist those in need.
Most recently, the venue worked with two major event clients to collectively donate nearly… more
Dec 19, 2022
The Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) and Oak View Group (OVG), the global venue development, advisory and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries, have secured an exclusive multi-year naming rights agreement with Tahoe Blue Vodka for a new live entertainment, sports and conference center on the south shore of Lake Tahoe.
Dubbed the Tahoe Blue Center and located in Stateline, Nev. the new 132,000-square-foot events center, which includes a 5,500-seat arena and 10,000-sq.-ft. of meeting room space, is projected to host 130 events annually, including meetings… more
Dec 16, 2022
The event tech landscape continues to evolve as the industry approaches a new year. From security and trust certification to a virtual event and webinar benchmarking report to the opening of award submissions, check out the latest happenings with Bizzabo, Notified and the Event Tech Awards.
Bizzabo
Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), has achieved Service Organization Control (SOC) 2® Type 2 compliance, which recognizes the company as a secure, trusted industry leader. The accomplishment demonstrates Bizzabo’s ongoing commitment to information security and signals that its… more
Dec 15, 2022
Starting a new job in a difficult business climate can be challenging enough, but what about during the height of a global pandemic? That’s exactly where Claude Molinari found himself when he took the helm of Visit Detroit as its new president and CEO in January of 2021 as the global events industry was reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. A self-proclaimed extrovert by nature, Molinari’s outgoing and positive attitude certainly came in handy as he worked tirelessly to guide the CVB and its team through one of the biggest challenges travel and tourism has ever faced.
“It is important to… more
Dec 14, 2022
In order to increase the selection and availability of sustainable, vegan menu options throughout its extensive network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers, ASM Global recently formed a multi-year partnership with plant-based global food provider Wicked Kitchen.
The new partnership establishes Wicked Kitchen as the “Preferred Plant-Based Food Partner” of ASM Global venues as well as “Exclusive Plant-Based Food Provider” across all catering, suite and concessions managed by SAVOR, the chef-driven culinary division of ASM Global.
With this announcement, Wicked Kitchen also… more
Dec 13, 2022
While the hiring craze that has consumed the corporate events industry over the past 18 months is beginning to slow, event-related organizations far and wide are still welcoming new and experienced talent to their teams, including established industry veterans, as they set their focus on success and growth in 2023. Take a look!
SITE
Just in time for its 50th anniversary, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has tapped business events industry veteran Annette Gregg as its new CEO, serving both SITE and the SITE Foundation. She takes the helm from Rebecca Wright, who served as… 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