Aug 21, 2023
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) applauds the introduction of the Visa Processing Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that was introduced on July 27 by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). The legislation addresses the long visitor visa appointment wait times that are impacting the business events sector.
The Visa Processing Improvement Act proposes to improve visa processing within the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs in four ways:
Increasing consular office flexibility and capacity
Improving transparency and accountability… more
Aug 18, 2023
While leisure travel rebounded at a much faster pace coming out of COVID, business travel has picked up momentum in 2023, according to the 9th CWT Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Travel Price Forecast 2024.
The report helps businesses understand market pricing for airfares, hotel room rates, ground transport and meetings and events. The forecast also explores where prices are heading, as well as the drivers of change.
“For business travelers as well as for the travel industry, 2023 and 2024 will present a dynamic environment characterized by economic uncertainty and heightened… more
Aug 17, 2023
Business events, exhibitions and conferences producer CloserStill Media has agreed to acquire UK-based UKi Media & Events, an events and media business specializing in the transportation sector. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The strategic move significantly expands CloserStill’s reach in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as lays the foundation for the company’s newly launched Future Transport and Infrastructure Group, representing an entirely new market segment for the company.
“We are very excited to welcome UKi Media & Events into the CloserStill Group,” said Yancy… more
Aug 16, 2023
About 18 months ago, Nicole Leinbach, founder of Retail Minded and co-founder Independent Retailers & Sellers Conference (IRSC), decided to launch her first trade show, aiming to fill a void in the retail and wholesale sexual wellness space that she saw and wanted to support.
The sexual wellness market in the U.S. was valued at $11 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $20 billion by 2030, according to a report by statista.
On July 24 and 25, STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show debuted in Nashville with about 200 attendees and more than 40 vendors.
While this was her first… more
Aug 16, 2023
The devastating wildfires that tore through western Maui and destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina has been named the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a 100 years, and one of the top 10 deadliest wildfires since 1871, according to research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Starting in the early morning hours of Aug. 8, the deadly blaze was the result of a perfect storm of drought conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora as it passed south of the islands.
More than 100 people have died, up to 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, approximately 2,… more
Aug 15, 2023
Held Aug. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake, the 2023 Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit drew more than 500 attendees, up from 455 in 2022. Here are 10 trends we saw and heard at #CEMASummit2023, powered by PCMA.
1. Hotel rates will continue to climb but at a slower pace. “Group and business travel is back,” said Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (AHLI). Average daily room rates (ADR) grew across all days of the week in April 2023, compared with April 2022, he said. “Rates will continue to grow but probably in the single digits,”… more
Aug 11, 2023
As Las Vegas Fashion Week got underway on Aug. 7, two trade shows announced they will be co-locating under one roof for their next editions in 2024.
Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN), produced by Clarion Events Inc. and Las Vegas Apparel and operated by ANDMORE (formerly International Market Centers), will run concurrently at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas Feb. 13-15, 2024 — just days after the Super Bowl XVIII, which will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11.
Together, the two buying events are expected to feature more than 500 brands.
Relocating from Caesars Palace, WWIN… more
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 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
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