Oct 21, 2024
Viad Corp, a public company, has entered into a definitive agreement with private Los Angeles-based private equity firm Truelink Capital to acquire GES, a global exhibition and event industry services provider, for $535 million.
The acquisition encompasses GES Exhibitions, a provider of global exhibition and logistics services; global experiential agency Spiro; and onPeak, SHOWTECH, and Visit, which provide event housing, power/lighting, and registration services, respectively.
Upon the transaction’s completion by Dec. 31, 2024, pending regulatory approvals, due diligence, and other… more
Oct 18, 2024
Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers. Set for December 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, Calif., the intimate event is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and will explore key topics facing all three segments of the trade show and business events industry.
Last year, ACCESS 2023 attracted 325 attendees to the Hyatt Coconut Point in… more
Oct 17, 2024
Sustainability took center stage at Javits Center during Climate Week NYC, which was held Sept. 22-29. Climate Week NYC takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York.
Launched in 2019 as part of Climate Week NYC, the Nest Climate Campus returned Sept. 24-26 to Javits and featured a one-day Sustainable Events Summit (SES), an invitation-only think-tank style meeting produced by MAD Event Management that was launched to help event organizers and suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050.… more
Oct 16, 2024
With its blend of rich history, vibrant culture, scenic waterfront, diverse culinary offerings, boutique shopping, and walkable neighborhoods, it’s no wonder that Alexandria, Virg., is a popular destination not only for leisure guests, but also meeting and event groups. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, this charming port city combines a small-town feel with the amenities of a cosmopolitan city and has been recognized as a “Best Small City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the last six years.
Situated along the Potomac River about five… more
Oct 15, 2024
The 13th edition of IMEX America is a wrap. The booths and signage have come down at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and the show’s record-setting 15,500 participants, including more than 5,500 buyers, have headed home. Now comes the work of maintaining the connections and acting on the education and experiences delivered at the October 8-10 event.
Here are four ideas and two trends from IMEX America that focus on thinking a bit differently about event planning.
Great Idea: Hands-On A.I.
“Wow,” “Oh my goodness!,” and spontaneous clapping: Those were some of the audience reactions during the… more
Oct 14, 2024
ConferenceDirect's voyage towards producing a carbon-neutral event wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. "This journey started four years ago when we committed to a 30% reduction by 2030," said Larry Hanson, chief marketing and sustainability officer for ConferenceDirect, a meeting and event management firm that manages more than 1,000 conferences globally.
The increasing demand from corporate clients to address sustainability in RFPs and his personal commitment to sustainability propelled the company to develop a dedicated team of Events Industry Council (EIC)-certified sustainable event… more
Oct 11, 2024
September was another active month for the corporate events industry, especially among industry suppliers, with organizations across the U.S. tapping new leadership, promoting seasoned staff, and welcoming experienced professionals to executive teams.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in September: Tavar James has joined the executive team of AI-powered, full-service event planning and services platform BoomPop as its new vice president of events and industry advocacy.
The big picture: James most recently served as head of events and experiences at virtual professional coaching platform… more
Oct 09, 2024
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.
Several key events in destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami have already been canceled or rescheduled, dealing a blow to an industry that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. As Florida braces for what could be its strongest… more
Oct 08, 2024
With 1,350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 78 countries across six continents already in its portfolio, Hyatt Hotels Corp. is significantly expanding its luxury and lifestyle brand footprint with more than 20 new and planned property openings across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean through 2025.
When asked about total meeting and event space at these new hotels, Hyatt told us eight properties offer more than 250,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The two largest: the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas features more than 88,000 square feet… more
Oct 07, 2024
Asking attendees about their dietary restrictions and preferences—and accommodating them—is part of any F&B 101 curriculum. Delegates’ meals affect their satisfaction with the event and, ultimately, the bottom line, so accommodating dietary needs is part of the job.
But some planners see a further twist coming in this already challenging responsibility.
Over time, attendee requests for special meals have expanded beyond vegetarian, kosher, and allergen-free options. As dietary trends have emphasized nutrition-savvy, gut-friendly, plant-based food and more Americans are committed to… 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