Jan 05, 2018
The holiday spirit extended before and after the new year to the signing of plenty of new contracts for suppliers and venues serving the trade show industry. The Expo Group will provide event-related services to International Carwash Association as ICA seeks to boost the experience of their attendee, exhibitor and sponsor stakeholders at The Car Wash Show. The Car Wash Show is the largest convention in its sector, bringing together buyers and sellers from more than 30 countries. The Car Wash Show is ranked No.148 on the Trade Show News Network Top 250 list. “The Expo Group has the… more
Dec 11, 2017
Private equity firm Onex Corporation has agreed to acquire SMG Holdings Inc., in partnership with its existing management team. “SMG is the global gold standard in venue management,” said Amir Motamedi, a managing director with Onex. “We’re excited to work with Wes, his management team and the general managers within each of SMG’s venues to continue to provide the same world-class service their clients have come to expect.” SMG is the leading global manager of convention centers, stadiums, arenas, theatres, performing arts centers and other venues. The transaction is expected to close in… more
Nov 21, 2017
Detroit’s Cobo Center is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainability by increasing its environmental initiatives for the coming year, including a living green roof observation area and new lactation suites for nursing moms. According to Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center, the facility is planning to install a visitor observation area near its living green roof at the old heliport location on the roof deck. “Last year, we installed honeybee hives and saw our living roof and organic herb gardens thrive,” Molinari said. He continued, “Next year, we will create an… more
Oct 23, 2017
SMG has been busy helping the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland amp up its sustainability goals by partnering with show organizers and exhibitors to cut back on event waste while giving back to the local community. To help the HCCC reduce its environmental impact by diverting more recyclable items from landfill, the facility operator recently unveiled its Sustainability Donation Program, a green initiative that provides clients, exhibitors and contractors a simple and environmentally friendly solution to reduce the amount of waste they generate at an HCCC event. By serving as a… more
Oct 18, 2017
The Mohegan Sun Exposition Center expansion project is more than one-third complete and on schedule for a June 2018 opening. Last month, the leaders of Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe gathered with guests, including Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and AZ Corporation, for a ceremonial topping-off to celebrate the progress of the $80 million project, which began last March. Over 300 signatures from ironworkers to state and local officials and Mohegan Sun and Tribe management adorned the steel beam. The resort and casino’s new Exposition Center will span 240,000 net square feet and… more
Oct 18, 2017
International Market Centers, operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries, is coordinating exhibitor product donations and other humanitarian efforts in its High Point Market Fall show, running Oct. 14-18 in High Point, N.C., and at the Las Vegas Market Winter show, set for Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2018 at the World Market Center in Las Vegas. “International Market Centers prides itself on being a ‘global good citizen,’ and we are delighted to mobilize our resources to help communities in need,” said Robert Maricich, IMC chief executive officer. IMC has set… more
Oct 17, 2017
A new salad dressing featuring honey harvested from the bee hives housed on the Javits Center’s green roof now is on the menu at the convention center’s Taste NY Bistro. The honey-infused vinaigrette, along with other New York homegrown ingredients, is featured in a new salad offered at the facility’s cafe-style restaurant location. Aptly named Jacob’s Honey, the homegrown honey was extracted last month by a team of Javits Center engineers in partnership with local beekeeping organization, New York City Beekeeping. This first batch of golden goodness was harvested from three wooden hives… more
Oct 05, 2017
The Art Basel art show plans to remain at the Miami Beach Convention Center for the long-term, as evidenced by a five-year agreement the show will sign with The City of Miami Beach on Oct. 5 at Miami Beach City Hall. This year’s event, set for Dec. 7-10, will mark the 16th edition of the modern and contemporary art show that draws visitors from across the U.S. and the globe to Miami Beach. Last year, the fair attracted 77,000 attendees and 269 international galleries spanning 29 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. “This agreement is comparable to locking in… more
Oct 03, 2017
Last week, the Anaheim Convention Center unveiled its biggest and most significant expansion in nearly two decades: ACC North, boasting 200,000 square feet of flexible, two-level meeting and event space. The addition of the new building officially marks the ACC’s induction into the “1 million-square-foot-club,” increasing its ranking to the 11th largest convention facility in the U.S. and preserving its standing as the largest on the West Coast. “This is a transformative event for the Anaheim Convention Center,” said Tom Morton, executive director of Anaheim’s Convention Sports &… more
Sep 28, 2017
If the Los Angeles Convention Center’s recent fiscal report is any indication, the Downtown L.A. facility most certainly is not a loss-leader, but rather an integral economic impact generator for the City of Los Angeles. The LACC recently reported generating a record-breaking $781 million of economic impact for the City in fiscal year 2016/2017, with $478 million attributed to convention attendee direct spending. An additional $26.4 million was generated in tax revenues to the City, with $18.2 million in hotel transient-occupancy tax contributions to the City’s general fund – an increase of… 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 on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.