News
Aug 10, 2023
The 2023 TSNN Awards, which will be held Oct. 28-29 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, has extended the deadline for 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… more
Aug 09, 2023
What role does diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) play in designing F&B experiences in conjunction with an exhibit?
We checked in with Tracy Stuckrath, founder and president of thrive! meetings & events and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast, who offered some keen insights on the importance of DEI in event catering.
Inclusivity is what inspired Stuckrath to start her business in 2010, when a personal health journey changed the course of her career.
“I was an [event professional] with food allergies, and I lost my job and knew this was what I wanted to do — educate my… more
Aug 08, 2023
More than three-quarters (78%) of attendees agree or strongly agree that in-person B2B conferences offer the best networking opportunities, according to “The State of In-Person B2B Conferences: Analyzing Organizer and Attendee Insights on Today's Most Impactful Gatherings,” produced by Bizzabo, an event software company.
"Despite a year of headlines about economic uncertainty and layoffs, in-person events are thriving, according to the survey,” said Alon Alroy, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bizzabo.
Key insights from the report include:
75.9% of organizers believe in-… more
Aug 07, 2023
Viad Corp., parent company of GES and Spiro, reported a 1.1% increase in revenues in Q2 2023 compared with Q2 2022. Total GES revenue came in at $231.8 million in Q2, a decrease of 4.0% from Q2 2022, primarily due to the sale of ON Services and 2022 shows that were postponed from Q1 to Q2 that returned to their normal first-quarter schedules in 2023. The decline was partially offset by live event activity strength and major non-annual shows like the Paris Air Show in the Q2 2023.
The good news: GES Q2 results exceeded prior guidance, and Viad is raising its full year outlook, according to… more
Aug 04, 2023
Oak View Group (OVG), which takes over venue management for Chicago’s McCormick Place on Oct. 1, named veteran convention and hospitality executive Samuel Thomas Jr. as senior vice president and general manager of the campus, which includes McCormick Place, featuring 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena and the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater.
Thomas, who will relocate to Chicago from Washington, D.C., where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Events DC, will begin his new role the first week of September.
McCormick Place… more
Aug 03, 2023
After more than nine years of planning, including a three-year feasibility period demonstrating significant demand from convention clients, the city of Indianapolis is about to get a larger convention center and a new 800-room headquarter hotel.
On Aug. 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops were joined by community leaders, project representatives and some of the city’s largest convention clients for a groundbreaking celebration of the sixth expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and construction of a new Hilton convention hotel.
Key… more
Aug 02, 2023
Event management software provider Map Your Show implemented upgrades to its Exhibitor Resource Center (ERC), which acts as the central organizing hub for exhibitors and sponsors, helping them stay on top of event information all in one place.“With the upgrades in the Exhibitor Resource Center, show organizers have a more powerful engine to create the best experience for their exhibitors and to drive additional show revenue through sponsorships and advertising," said Don Kline, CEO of Map Your Show.Through the ERC, event organizers can quickly build an Exhibitor Portal with the key… more
Aug 01, 2023
Freeman has acquired Sparks, a global brand experience agency with more than 750 employees. Sparks provides exhibit and event experiences to a diverse group of Fortune 1000 brands, including Google, Salesforce, Anheuser-Busch InBev and T-Mobile. Sparks will combine with Freeman’s agency business, which also caters to major corporate clients, including Amazon, Cisco and Kohler.
“Our combination with Sparks creates a unique opportunity to accelerate Freeman’s vision to become a leader in the corporate space,” said Freeman CEO Bob Priest-Heck. “Sparks, like Freeman, is built by great people,… more
Jul 31, 2023
ExpoFP, an interactive floor plan provider, and IndoorAtlas, an indoor positioning platform, teamed up to create interactive floor plans with accurate indoor positioning and wayfinding. The technology allows expo attendees to easily locate their current position and find exhibitor booths, even in offline mode, and can be integrated into mobile event apps.
“Our interactive floor plans, empowered by blue-dot wayfinding, provide a seamless navigation experience that saves time and enhances visitors’ satisfaction,” said Ross Sudentas, CEO of ExpoFP. “We are thrilled to partner with IndoorAtlas… more
Jul 28, 2023
Following an extensive and competitive RFP process, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) has selected global sports and live entertainment company Oak View Group (OVG) as the new private management and food service partner for Chicago’s McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena and Arie Crown Theater.
Beginning Oct. 1 and running through Sept. 2028, the management and F&B contracts were awarded to OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, respectively, following a unanimous vote by the MPEA Board.
“I am thrilled to welcome OVG360 and OVG Hospitality to our campus,” said Larita Clark, CEO of… more
Partner Voices
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