May 07, 2024
Viad Corp., a global provider of business event management and experiential marketing services, reported first quarter (Q1) 2024 revenues of $273.5 million, an increase of $12.7 million or 4.9% from Q1 2023.
For Q1, GES, which includes Spiro, reported revenues of $236.3 million, compared with $228.1 million in the same period last year. GES reported an increase of $8.1 million or 3.6% year-over-year, which the company attributed to continued underlying growth that more than offset a $4 million decline due to the timing of major non-annual shows.
Context: GES is a global exhibition… more
May 06, 2024
When Usher took the stage on Sun., Feb. 11, at the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Show Manager Ashley Van Der Stuyf was one of 129.3 million people who tuned in to watch the performance. Once she took a look at the elaborate staging and production, she understood why the NFL canceled the association’s contract to host a party at the venue scheduled for less than a month before the big game.
But it wasn’t an easy pill to swallow when she got the news on Nov. 8, about 60 days out from the Ultimate Tailgate… more
May 03, 2024
Located less than 15 miles from downtown San Diego, La Jolla offers a blend of natural beauty, upscale charm and a vibrant cultural scene, making it a highly desirable destination for leisure visitors and business event groups alike. Scattered among the destination’s scenic coastal environment sit more than two-dozen hotels and resorts, ranging from upscale and luxurious to more modest boutique accommodations.
Two of these properties, Hotel La Jolla and Estancia La Jolla, completed extensive renovation projects that corporate event organizers will find appealing when planning their next… more
May 02, 2024
Let’s start with this statistic: On average in 2023, 45% of conference attendees delayed registering until four weeks or less before an event.
That’s among the eye-popping findings in a new Registrations Insights Report from experience design company Maritz, the result of a deep dive into more than 360,000 attendee registrations across 30 trade shows over the past few years.
The report looks at registration pacing, which attendees are most likely to register late and why, and how to adapt to this changing attendee behavior. Significantly, the authors also work to reframe the discussion… more
Apr 29, 2024
Since the TED conference was launched by Founder Richard Wurman in 1984, it’s estimated that TED Talks have been seen or listened to more than 30 billion times, according to Head of TED Chris Anderson.
Over the last 40 years, business leaders, politicians, celebrities and musicians have been compelled to the TED stage.
For the first half of its existence, the annual conference brought together a few hundred people every year to think about Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) and all that connected them, said Anderson in a blog.
Just under 20 years ago, online video gave the… more
Apr 25, 2024
Adobe, a public company that produces two major corporate events in the U.S. annually, drew more than 10,000 attendees to its annual Adobe Summit at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center when it was held March 25-28.
The event featured 12 tracks with more than 200 sessions and keynotes with leaders like Adobe President, Digital Experience Anil Chakravarthy; GM Chair and CEO Mary T. Barra; Pfizer Chief Digital & Technology Officer and EVP Lidia Fonseca; and basketball legend, entrepreneur and media personality Shaquille O'Neal.
We caught up with Adobe Senior Event Marketing Manager… more
Apr 22, 2024
In celebration of Earth Day 2024, we want to share highlights from our latest podcast interview with Honeycomb Strategies CEO and ASM Global Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsay Arell. These 10 takeaways highlight the multifaceted approach to sustainability in events, encompassing operational changes, partnerships, transparency and a broader industry shift towards sustainable practices.
1. Integration of Sustainability Practices: Natural Products Expo West is one trade show that’s leading by example. The trade show has successfully integrated sustainability practices into nearly every aspect… more
Apr 19, 2024
Looking to create high-end, red carpet-worthy videos that event attendees will share?
Companies like Pixperience provide interactive photo booths like no other — using the latest camera technology to capture the moment in vivid detail and engagement with an immersive experience that your brand creates.
Every event attendee can be a glamorous star when they step into a space that seamlessly blends creativity and technology to create unforgettable experiences that attendees can share instantly on social channels.
We tested two Pixperience products at EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 and interviewed… more
Apr 16, 2024
Approximately 2,000 attendees, including 800 hosted buyers gathered at The Venetian in Las Vegas for Connect Spring Marketplace April 2-4. Owned by Informa, the event connects meeting buyers and suppliers for one-on-one conversations, but also weaves in educational opportunities; a trade show featuring destinations and fresh experiential ideas; and after-hours networking events.
Here are some of the fresh ideas and classic events that made Connect Spring Marketplace a success.
More Cowbell!
The eTourism Summit, an event for destination marketers co-located with Connect Spring Marketplace,… more
Apr 15, 2024
While exhibition rates are more broadly aligning with inflation this year, specific areas, such as material handling rates, continue to outpace inflation, according to the findings of the Annual Survey of Exhibition Rates. The Exhibitor Advocate — a non-profit organization dedicated to providing industry stakeholders with expert advice, research and tools to amplify the voice of exhibitors — has released its latest survey that analyzes labor and equipment costs across 24 major U.S. cities.
This year’s report demonstrates that while corporate events continue to be a valuable sales and… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more