Association Show News
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May 05, 2020
While this year’s IMEX flagship Frankfurt event was canceled back in March, members of the IMEX community will still have opportunities to come together virtually over the next several months. The virtual PlanetIMEX platform aims to keep the spirit of IMEX alive by allowing visitors to explore content, reconnect, talk about future business and continue learning in the company of friends and colleagues.
Designed in collaboration with Cvent, PlanetIMEX will feature three 3-D, interactive “islands” as destinations within the platform. Each island will have its own theme (community, education… more
Apr 27, 2020
Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo) has acquired a 50 percent ownership in the New England Food Show, forming a partnership with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
“Along with the MRA Board of Directors, I could not be more pleased to enter into this partnership with ExpoDevCo in managing the New England Food Show,” said Bob Luz, MRA president and CEO. “ExpoDevCo brings a wealth of large national and regional trade show experience to the table with a strong niche in the foodservice segment. We look forward to continuing the future growth of the New England Food Show along with… more
Apr 21, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named the winners of this year’s UFI Next Generation Leadership Grant (NGL).
The jury, chaired by UFI President Mary Larkin, met earlier this month to evaluate all qualifying entries submitted from around the world.
The UFI NGL Grant promotes emerging leadership in the global exhibition industry and is awarded to professionals demonstrating a clear drive towards change and innovation.
Here are this year’s winners:
Alexis Zamudio, Events Manager, FINNOVISTA (Mexico);
Christina Rabl, Conference Manager Command Control at Messe… more
Apr 21, 2020
One-third of all jobs lost in the U.S. due to COVID-19 were lost in the travel industry, and the country is experiencing a total impact nine times greater than the 9/11 attacks, according to a new report by the U.S. Travel Association and analytics firm Tourism Economics.
Declines in travel are projected to cause 8 million jobs to be lost (out of 24 million for the entire U.S. economy) by the end of this month, according to the report. Travel spending losses are also on track to top half a trillion dollars by the end of 2020.
While the news is devastating from all angles, industry… more
Apr 10, 2020
The power of in-person events is inimitable, no doubt about it. However, when faced with the option of cancelling completely until 2021 or forging ahead with some kind of online component, many shows are finding solutions in the form of creative virtual offerings. Here’s how a few are navigating these uncharted waters and experimenting with components that attendees can access from their home office—for some, at a discount or entirely free.
NAB Show
Original dates and location: April 18-22 in Las Vegas
Online dates: April (TBD), virtual experience
In lieu of rescheduling the 2020 NAB Show… more
Apr 15, 2020
More than 13,000 attendees came together online for Virtual Global Meetings Industry Day on April 14. While the message from industry experts was optimistic and hopeful, the celebration was tempered by uncertainty on when it will be safe to meet in person again.
The 30-minute grassroots #GMIDGoesVirtual event attempted to break the Guinness World Record for largest audience for a virtual conference, and while it did not quite hit the 15,000 mark that was needed, the turnout was impressive. Hosts Miguel Neves and Jennifer Spear kept the audience engaged with conversation and polls, and talked… more
Apr 09, 2020
While social distancing has taken hold throughout the world, many convention and visitors bureaus are innovating amongst the current crisis to continue to (tactfully) spread messages about their destinations. Across North America, CVBs and DMOs far and wide are shifting to digital to bring the best of their destinations to homebound audiences via virtual tours, live-streaming experiences, online classes and interactive content, as well as deliver encouraging messages of hope and reassurance. Check out some of the most creative offerings.
Meet AC
Having a strong digital presence is nothing… more
Apr 07, 2020
ASAE applauded Congress for swiftly constructing a $2.2 trillion emergency coronavirus relief package while calling on policymakers to include more association-specific relief in a fourth relief package currently taking shape.
A review of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, shows that Congress allocated extraordinary relief for individuals, small businesses, corporations, hospitals, state and local governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups, but few provisions that directly assist trade and professional associations experiencing severe… more
Apr 06, 2020
Many members of the health community — doctors, nurses, first responders, and others who are helping in the fight against COVID-19 — are struggling to find housing close to their outposts. The American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Hospitality for Hope initiative is helping to address this by connecting hotel properties with the health community.
AHLA is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry and contributes nearly $660 billion to U.S. GDP. The group created Hospitality for Hope to boost collaboration between the hotel industry and local, state… more
Apr 02, 2020
Like all in-person events right now, the Society of Independent Show Organizers had to cancel its’ annual SISO CEO Summit, which gathers executives from the for-profit global trade show industry annually and was meant to run this week in Dallas at the Four Seasons.
SISO’s Executive Director David Audrain said, “SISO feels strongly, now more than ever, we need to come together as a community, share our experiences and pivots, and get answers to burning questions.”
To still make that happen, SISO held a virtual Town Hall March 31, with Audrain moderating and panelists that included Greg… more
Partner Voices
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