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Jun 26, 2023
Larry Arnaudet, executive director of the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), announced his retirement, effective December 2023, following an impressive career in the meetings and conventions industry. "Yogi Berra once said, 'When you come to a fork in the road, take it,'” Arnaudet told Trade Show News Network (TSNN). "Well, I’m there now and can see that fork ahead. After 53 wonderful years in this incredible industry, it’s time to hang up the coat and tie and catch up on all the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., that eluded me over the years." Arnaudet’s… more
Jun 23, 2023
With a strong turnout, robust business activity, renewed faith in the industry’s future and innovative event design, IMEX Frankfurt, which took place May 23-25 at Messe Frankfurt, was one of the show’s most impressive to date and a testament to an industry focused on new business horizons. “The 2023 edition clearly reflected an industry pride and renewed confidence among exhibitors and, of course, a strong desire to do business with thousands of buyers,” said Ray Bloom, chairman of IMEX Group. Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, added that this year’s IMEX Frankfurt gave the industry a more… more
Jun 20, 2023
Nearly 100 industry leaders from 24 states — including representatives from leading show organizers, exhibiting organizations, venues and destinations — gathered on June 1 on Capitol Hill for Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA) Legislative Action Day. View the full list of attendees here. During more than 100 meetings, Legislative Action Day attendees advocated for ECA’s federal public policy priorities and the vital role that the business events industry plays in helping to spur economic growth, support job creation and empower small businesses across the country. Watch or listen to… more
Jun 15, 2023
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show recently welcomed tens of thousands of foodservice industry buyers, suppliers and manufacturers to Chicago’s McCormick Place to explore and celebrate the latest innovations, trends and solutions in food and beverage. Held May 20-23, the show brought together nearly 55,000 foodservice professionals from the U.S. and across the globe, reporting an 8% growth in total registrants compared to 2022, a large uptick in international participation and a massive surge in new exhibiting companies. Serving as the ultimate sourcing… more
Jun 15, 2023
The Board of Directors of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has elected RX CEO Hugh Jones to serve as UFI’s president for the term spanning 2024- 2025, and he will assume the leading volunteer role at the 91st UFI Global Congress in Cologne, Germany, in November 2024.  “It is an absolute honor to have been nominated and elected by my peers to this role,” Jones told TSNN. “UFI sets the tone and the standards for all of us; fundamentally, UFI reminds us that together we are stronger. RX has similar issues to many in the industry as we navigate a post-COVID world, and I… more
Jun 13, 2023
The 2023 TSNN Awards, which will be held Oct. 28-29 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, has opened nominations for its trade show Innovation Awards, as well as Outstanding Show Pros awards. The highly coveted TSNN Awards recognize the teams and trade shows that stand out above the crowd for their transformation, creativity and leadership. As the trade show industry continues to rebound, 2023 marks the first year since the pandemic that trade shows are fully back without travel restrictions, mask requirements or heightened health and safety concerns. It’s been a banner year for a number of… more
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Blackberry Compote and Honeycomb Toffee
Jun 12, 2023
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat at a business meeting or conference, especially after a long day of educational sessions and back-to-back engagements with clients or colleagues? Besides being pleasing to the palate, desserts, whether served at a sit-down meal or at an interactive buffet station, help create a fun and relaxed environment for attendees to mingle and network, breaking the ice, encouraging conversation and contributing to a positive and memorable event experience. And by offering a variety of sweet dishes or bites, event organizers can cater to different preferences and dietary… more
Jun 08, 2023
As spring begins its transition into summer, several event companies and service providers in the U.S. and overseas have been busy making acquisitions and forming strategic partnerships to increase their market share, benefit the industries they serve and expand offerings for clients. Take a look!  Restaurant Events  Restaurant Events, a new trade show management company formed by industry veterans Tim von Gal and Doug Miller, announced on May 31 that it had purchased three restaurant and foodservice trade shows from Clarion Events: the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New… more
Jun 06, 2023
PCMA has selected the future host cities and dates for Convening Leaders (CL), the association’s annual flagship education and networking event, for 2024-2027. San Diego has been tapped to host the event in January 2024, followed by Houston in 2025, Philadelphia in 2026 and Miami in 2027. “The business events industry plays a critical role in bringing people together that drives economic growth and social good for individuals, organizations and communities” said PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “Each of these destinations has a unique identity and offers a diverse range of… more
Jun 05, 2023
Independent show organizers announced the launch of two sports-related events debuting in 2023. In partnership with Emerald Holding Inc., the National Basketball Association (NBA) is launching NBA Con, a B2C event set for July 7-9 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. First and Pen and SBRnet are launching the Get in the Game Conference, an event for students at historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) to learn about careers in sports business. The inaugural event will take place Oct. 6-8 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore. NBA Con NBA Con will bring together fashion, music,… 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.