It’s been a busy spring for the trade show industry so far, with event companies and organizations forging new business relationships and securing existing partnerships.

SEMA Sticks with onPeak

SEMA is continuing its partnership with onPeak to provide SEMA Show participants with housing options at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas for the 2019 show, set for Nov. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and the option to cancel without penalty, according to SEMA officials.

“Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of hotels from which to choose, all at the lowest possible cost,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA’s vice president of events. “Showgoers may be approached by other services, but onPeak is the only official SEMA Show housing provider that SEMA stands behind. Using other providers is risky.”

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Continues Partnership with GES Canada

Metro Toronto Convention Centre has extended its 15-year contract with GES Canada as the facility’s official general service provider. The new five-year agreement builds on the organizations’ long and successful partnership, which began in 2003. 

“GES has a proven track record for exceeding customer expectations, and we are pleased to continue to build on our established partnership,” said Lorenz Hassenstein, president and CEO of the MTCC. “It is important to us to connect our customers with suppliers that we know can add value to their convention, meeting or event.” 

GES has achieved extraordinarily high customer satisfaction ratings in MTCC evaluations over the past five years, he added.

“GES Canada is known for always thinking a step ahead to provide high-impact, worry-free execution as we deliver successful events to our mutual clients,” said Patrick Lukan, GES Canada senior vice president and general manager. “Our teams share a commitment to providing exceptional service, and we look forward to continuing to serve the MTCC and its valued clients.” 

MCI Group Snags Multi-Year Agreements

MCI Group has landed a multi-year agreement with Keller Williams to help the real estate franchise company drive real-time lead cultivation and show data analytics during its annual trade show.

“We are excited about our new relationship with MCI and appreciate the masterful job they executed in New Orleans at our 2019 family reunion event.” said Allison Young, event project manager for Keller Williams. “We’re looking forward to using MCI’s technology solutions and data-driven insights to be able to increase ROI year over year.”

American Dental Hygienists Association recently signed a multi-year housing, registration and lead cultivation agreement with MCI starting with the ADHA’s 2019 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in June. According to Leah Johnson, ADHA’s senior manager of meetings and conventions, the association chose MCI for its unified platform, flexibility and customer service.   

“I experienced MCI’s ability to think strategically and offer solutions to our needs; we know this is the start of a great partnership for ADHA,” Johnson said.

MCI also renewed its long-standing housing relationship with Society for Human Resource Management through 2023, continuing a more than two-decade relationship that began in 1997.   

“We can always count on the MCI team to deliver as planned, bring new ideas and handle difficult situations on our behalf,” said Lauren Liles, SHRM director of event management and logistics. “The MCI platform is easy to use, and I know the team will go over and above to take care of our attendees, exhibitors and VIPs.” 

CompuSystems Grows Its Client Portfolio, Renews Contracts

Registration, data management, data analytics and lead retrieval services provider CompuSystems has been busy signing new multi-year deals with Heart Rhythm Society, Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), Argentum and Marijuana Business Daily.

CSI will provide registration, data analytics and lead retrieval services for HRS’ annual Scientific Sessions trade show; AVIXA’s annual InfoComm; Argentum’s Senior Living Executive Conference; and Marijuana Business Daily trade shows including MJBizConNEXT, MJBizConINTL, MJBizCon European Cannabis Symposium, and MJBizCon Conference & Expo.

The company also renewed several contracts with existing clients, including American Society of Plastic Surgeons; American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, and Specialty Graphics Imaging Association.

CompuSystems will provide registration, data analytics and lead retrieval services for these organizations’ shows including Plastic Surgery The Meeting; ASBMR Annual Meeting; and a pair of SGIA shows: PRINTING United and Graphics of the Americas.

“Announcing client renewals is very important as it shows we are doing things the right way,” said CompuSystems President Chris Williams. “We’re very happy to extend these deals and continue our partnerships with ASPS, ASBMR and SGIA.”

DHI Taps SmithBucklin for Association Management

Last month, DHI Door Security and Safety Professionals selected association management and services company SmithBucklin as its association management partner. 

“We were impressed with SmithBucklin’s depth of experience and thought leadership in supporting business and trade associations — especially with those that complement or directly impact our own industry,” said Mark J. Berger, DHI’s board president. “We are confident in the operational expertise and strategic capabilities that SmithBucklin can provide.”

Jerry Heppes Sr. will continue as DHI’s CEO, and the association’s headquarters will move to a new Washington, D.C. location on July 1.

“I’m looking forward to joining the SmithBucklin team,” said Heppes, who has been with DHI since 1987. “For DHI, the change will help achieve the goals outlined in our strategic plan. Together, we will work to increase our membership and membership value, as well as strategies to enhance the value of our education, certification, industry events and strategic alliances to advance the industry.”

PMMI Renews Partnership with Convention Data Services

PMMI has renewed its partnership with Convention Data Services for two years through 2020. CDS will provide registration, lead management and data analytics for the association’s three trade shows that represent the packaging and processing industries: PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East and PACK EXPO International. 

“CDS is excited to continue helping PMMI address show challenges,” said David Lawton, CDS chief sales officer. “Accessing and analyzing data is very important to PMMI, so using our business intelligence tool, Data Sense, has helped support marketing efforts. Creating a more efficient onsite experience is a goal for PMMI.”

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