Dec 12, 2022
The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) has become the second facility following Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) where unionized Sodexo food service workers have voted 100% to authorize a strike if a contract is not reached through ongoing negotiations.  The announcement was made late Friday, Dec. 9 by Culinary Workers Union Local 226, affiliate of UNITE HERE!, following two days of voting by cooks, dishwashers, banquet servers, concessions cashiers and other workers employed by Sodexo and working at the LVCC, claiming that their wages are not enough to keep up with the cost… more
Dec 06, 2022
As the meetings and trade show industry continues its post-pandemic rebound, Sodexo convention center workers in five major convention markets are warning of looming labor disputes over what they describe as poor working conditions and stagnant wages. The potentially impacted venues include the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Huntington Place in Detroit and the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, Calif. On Nov. 21, cooks, dishwashers, banquet servers, concession… more
Nov 29, 2022
Global hospitality leader Sodexo Live! has launched a milestone initiative focused on mental health, career advancement and increasing diversity among its workforce of more than 40,000 employees. Aptly named “People Ambition,” the venue management company’s progressive new Employer Value Proposition (EVP) will include additional resources, training and mentorship opportunities in an effort to attract, retain and grow its ranks of premium hospitality providers.  Based on quantitative yearlong findings from more than 50 surveys of current employees across all roles at the company, from… more
Nov 23, 2022
Like many major convention centers across the U.S., Huntington Place is making public safety and security a top priority. On Nov. 4, the downtown Detroit venue rolled out its enhanced public safety and security measures with an all-staff Venue Safety and Security Training offered by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), which provides innovative safety and security guidelines and training to assist venues and their executive teams in managing and prioritizing the protection of all life safety and physical assets.  “Safety is one of the top concerns for meeting planners and… more
Oct 20, 2022
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s 2.1 million-square-foot convention center is getting a fresh new look via a $100 million remodel project. Reflecting the evolving needs and preferences of contemporary meetings and trade shows, the remodel features significant technology upgrades, dynamic digital signage and fresh, new design elements complementing the Las Vegas Strip resort’s signature tropical ambiance. “With Mandalay Bay home to many of the city’s top events and trade shows year after year, we recognized the need to upgrade the space to reflect modern-day needs and create a timeless… more
Oct 11, 2022
Vibrant, progressive, walkable, innovative and diverse. Those are words that often come to mind when thinking of Toronto, North America’s fourth-largest city and the cultural heart of Canada. Easy to get to from the U.S., this modern, multicultural gateway also happens to be one of the most sustainable destinations for meetings and events, with an array of industry-leading convention venues that make environmental consciousness a top priority. Nowhere is this more evident than at Canada’s leading meeting and trade show facility, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), which offers more… more
Oct 06, 2022
The Dayton Convention Center (DCC) in Dayton, Ohio has begun a $40 million renovation project designed to serve as an integral part of the city’s downtown economic revitalization. According to officials from ASM Global, which manages the convention center, the 51-year-old facility will soon undergo a major update that will equip it to meet the ever-evolving needs of meeting and event clients.  Construction is expected to conclude in late summer or early fall of 2024, and the venue will remain open to host events throughout the project. Announced on Sept. 22, the project follows the DCC’s… more
Sep 29, 2022
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) in Chicago is soliciting ideas for the potential redevelopment of some or all of Lakeside Center, the east building of McCormick Place. Issued on Sept. 15, the Request for Information (RFI) will gather ideas for revitalizing the more than 50-year-old venue and providing an attractive new revenue generator for MPEA, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.  According to MPEA officials, this process will provide innovators, architects and developers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine one of Chicago’s signature buildings,… more
Sep 15, 2022
The city of Atlanta, Ga., is more than an urban oasis exuding Southern hospitality. Rich in history and culture, this diverse and vibrant destination boasts more than 136 square miles of unique and colorful neighborhoods, vast green spaces and an interesting array of amenities and attractions, including a vibrant arts, entertainment and culinary scene, and an enduring civil rights legacy. For all these reasons and more, it’s no wonder that travel destination experts and global brands including Lonely Planet and National Geographic have highlighted Atlanta in their Best of Travel lists for… more
Sep 01, 2022
Growing up in a culinary family in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Chef Lumarie Rodríguez-Soto initially avoided a career in the culinary arts. As a young woman, she tried pursuing other career paths, but her innate creativity and love for baking eventually led her back to the kitchen and then to culinary school at La Escuela Hotelera de Puerto Rico, where she honed her skills, grew her knowledge and perfected her craft.  “Almost everybody in my family—my grandma, my mom and my brother—works in a kitchen, [and] I saw the behind-the-scenes, non-glamorous side of the business, so I knew how hard… more
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.