Trade Show Executive

The California Restaurant Show, newly-rebranded from the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, reported a 51% increase in verified attendance this year.

The show’s Team Bundle program, created in partnership with show organizer Restaurant Events, LLC and Convention Data Services to offer attendance flexibility for restaurants’ staff, helped drive this growth. It also included a new Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion with cooking demonstrations, competitions and more.

Thank you to Andrea Tencza, Vice President of Marketing at Restaurant Events, LLC, for contributing insight to this article.

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/california-restaurant-show-grows-verified-attendance-in-2024/

California Restaurant Show Grows Verified Attendance in 2024 The newly-rebranded California Restaurant Show saw growth in verified attendance and included new features in 2024.

Cvent acquired Splash, an event marketing technology company.

More than 500 organizations and more than 60 Fortune 1000 companies utilize Splash for event marketing. According to Cvent, this acquisition represents its commitment to bringing leading, accessible event technology beyond centralized events teams and into the field to enhance engagement, pipeline and more.

"The technology-driven convergence of marketing and events is an exciting growth opportunity. Pairing Splash’s expertise in field marketing events with our robust event and marketing platform further strengthens our ability to empower marketers to create and execute on-brand, high-impact event programs that deliver real results,” Reggie Aggarwal, Cvent’s CEO and Founder, said.

For Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) new Young Professionals Corner, TSE Managing Editor Maddy Ryley spoke with Stephanie Beringhele, VIP Buyer Relations Director at Emerald’s ASD Market Week, about building a personal brand in the events industry.

“A personal brand is the one thing that you’re going to have full control over; you represent yourself 100%. It is how you smile; it is how you carry yourself, it’s your word of honor when you say you’re going to do something … having a personal brand creates unlimited opportunities so long as you stay authentic and consistent,” Beringhele said.

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/the-power-of-personal-branding-a-qa-with-stephanie-beringhele/

The Power of Personal Branding: A Q&A with Stephanie Beringhele Trade Show Executive talked with Stephanie Beringhele, VIP Buyer Relations Director at Emerald’s ASD Market Week, about the importance of personal branding, and how to build one by jumping into new opportunities and striking a balance between authenticity and professionalism.

Trade Show Executive explored how Informa is leveraging AI technology with Yarrow Diamond, Senior Vice President, Technology and Transformation at Informa Markets North America.

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The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Safety 2024 Professional Development Conference and Exposition broke multiple records this year.

Trade Show Executive spoke with Chris Ballman, Vice President of Events and Conferences at ASSP, and Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP, ASSP’s President, about the show’s growth factors and new features.

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/safety-2024-professional-development-conference-and-exposition-breaks-multiple-records/

Safety 2024 Professional Development Conference and Exposition Breaks Multiple Records The American Society of Safety Professionals Safety 2024 Professional Development Conference and Exposition broke multiple records.

Chris Meecha will become Equip Exposition’s Show Director on Sept. 16.

Meecha is currently General Manager at Fern, the longtime partner of Equip Exposition, and has 30 years of experience in the trade show industry.

“Chris is well known in the show management world as a leader and innovator, and will help take Equip to the next level. We’re building a world-class event, and it was the perfect time to have him join the team, three years into Equip’s rebranding,” Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, said.

Live to explore in Atlantic City, NJ. 🌊🎡🎸

Atlantic City welcomes one and all to the destination, where meaningful meetings and conventions are cultivated, local spirits are connected, and the celebrations are unforgettable.

https://www.visitatlanticcity.com/gather-in-atlantic-city/?utm_source=display&utm_medium=social+media+display+-+july&utm_campaign=Trade+Show+Executive&utm_content=1080x1080

Visit Atlantic City

This month's edition of Trade Show Executive looks at the events industry's M&A activity in the first half of 2024 and includes updates from Informa Markets' South Florida Ventures, Emerald and Maritz.

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Happy Labor Day from Trade Show Executive!

Thank you to Venetian Meetings Las Vegas for being a Silver Sponsor of Trade Show Executive’s 2024 Gold 100 Awards & Summit, which recognizes the 100 largest U.S.-based trade shows from last year.

Find more event information here: https://tsegold100.com/

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Trade Show Executive is excited to launch its all-new section: the Young Professionals Corner.


This new resource features digital content curated for those early on in their careers or those who are just looking for some new inspiration.


The first few stories are now available, and you can check them out here: https://tradeshowexecutive.com/category/young-professionals/

In this month’s edition of Trade Show Executive (TSE), we feature Bob Priest-Heck, Board Member and former CEO at Freeman, who has a 35-year legacy of innovation and disruption in the events industry.

He is well-recognized for his advocacy, progressive initiatives and contributions to the trade show space, which include his involvement with launching the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge in 2021, and for being the first non-family member to be a Freeman CEO. TSE caught up with Bob to learn about his pathway to events, his leadership style and the evolution of Freeman.

We also recap the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association’s 2024 Summer Educational Conference, which took place at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. The event received its highest NPS score to date, welcomed more exhibitors than ever and offered insightful learning opportunities, networking experiences and more.

Next, we examine merger and acquisition activity in the exhibitions world for the first half of 2024. Highlights include Informa Markets North America’s South Florida Ventures acquiring the Newport International Boat Show in February, Emerald acquiring Hotel Interactive in April and Maritz acquiring Convention Data Services from Freeman in July.

Then, we explore how Informa is leveraging AI technology with Yarrow Diamond, Senior Vice President, Technology and Transformation at Informa Markets. Informa created their own large-language model — called Elysia — to enhance employee productivity and customer experience.

Finally, TSE’s Q2 2024 Dashboard shows that the events industry continues to grow, though not at the record pace enjoyed after the COVID lockdown. Shows highlighted for their growth include the Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show - MMTS, h+h americas and the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo (ACT Expo / ACT News).

Read all of these articles and so much more in this month’s edition of TSE:

https://bit.ly/4cFuW0T

Also, be sure to check out the TSE World’s Top Convention Centers 2024 report, which includes size rankings, labor rules and regulations, and new developments for leading convention centers across the globe:

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A huge TSE thank you to Bob Priest-Heck and everyone else who contributed to this month’s issue.

Subscribe to receive Trade Show Executive in print here:

https://tsx.magserv.com/cgi-bin/subscribe

Thank you to Visit Anaheim for being a Gold Sponsor of Trade Show Executive’s 2024 Gold 100 Awards & Summit, which recognizes the 100 largest U.S.-based trade shows from last year.

Find more event information here: https://tsegold100.com/

Thank you to Visit Dallas for being a Gold Sponsor of Trade Show Executive’s 2024 Gold 100 Awards & Summit, which recognizes the 100 largest U.S.-based trade shows from last year.

Find more event information here: https://tsegold100.com/

Approximately 42% of exhibitors at the National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS) NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition were new this year.

According to Jim Simms, Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) and Conference Coordinator at NGAUS, advance efforts from the show’s team drove this growth.

“NGAUS began contacting our corporate partners and other leaders in the military industry a year prior to the start of this conference. This was accomplished with letters and through our trade show sales company with their attendance at other conferences of the same nature and vendors,” Simms said.

Also, attendees could use the NGAUS AI Navigator, a feature on the event’s app developed by Tradeshow Logic - smart event solutions, to answer questions about the conference and trade show.

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/preparation-and-planning-lead-to-big-boost-in-new-exhibitors-at-ngaus-convention/

National Guard Association of the United States - NGAUS

TSE EXCLUSIVE: Javits Center CEO Alan Steel will receive the very first Zero Award for Excellence and Innovation in Sustainability at the 2024 Sustainable Events Summit.

During his tenure at Javits Center, Steel has spearheaded various innovative sustainability initiatives, including the addition of a greenhouse and a one-acre rooftop farm on the venue’s roof, the transition to bird-friendly glass and several programs to repurpose event materials.

Hear what industry leaders, and Steel himself, have to say about this news:

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/tse-exclusive-alan-steel-to-be-honored-with-the-first-zero-award-at-the-2024-sustainable-events-summit/

TSE Exclusive: Alan Steel to be Honored with the First Zero Award at the 2024 Sustainable Events Summit The Sustainable Events Summit will recognize Alan Steel with the first Zero Award for Excellence and Innovation in Sustainability.

IMEX released its 2023 IMEX America Sustainability Report, which reveals how it made IMEX America a zero-waste event for the fifth year in a row.

Trade Show Executive spoke with Roger Lehner, Senior Operations & Sustainability Executive at IMEX, about the organization’s sustainability strategies and new features for IMEX America 2024:

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/imex-america-delivers-zero-waste-event-in-2023-and-plans-further-sustainability-enhancements-for-2024/

Bulletin, Emerald’s B2B merchandising platform, and Shopify launched a Shopify sales channel app that streamlines product imports and automates order management for exhibitors.

Exhibitors can use the tool to automatically sync stock quantities as customers receive, sell, return or exchange products online or in-person.

"Bulletin’s integration with Shopify marks a significant evolution for both Bulletin and Emerald. By streamlining online wholesale merchandising and sales processes, this integration revolutionizes how brands connect with buyers before, during and after market. It empowers brands to enhance their trade show presence and operations, leading to more successful and efficient trade show experiences," Syd Alperowicz, Bulletin’s Vice President & General Manager, said.

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/emeralds-bulletin-launches-a-shopify-integration/

Emerald’s Bulletin Launches a Shopify Integration Shopify and Bulletin, Emerald's B2B merchandising platform, have partnered to launch a Shopify sales channel app.

David DuBois joined MatchPoint, an AI-powered professional networking app company, as Director of Strategic Development.

DuBois has more than 45 years of experience in the events industry and most-recently worked as President and CEO of Exhibitor Group. Before that, he served as the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events - IAEE.

"We are delighted to have David on board. His leadership and deep understanding of the industry will be instrumental in guiding MatchPoint as we expand our influence and enhance the networking experience for professionals worldwide,” Scott Lebwohl, MatchPoint’s Co-Founder, said.

Thank you to GES and onPeak for being Silver Sponsors of Trade Show Executive’s 2024 Gold 100 Awards & Summit, which recognizes the 100 largest U.S.-based trade shows from last year.

Find more event information here: https://tsegold100.com/

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) appointed Jim McIntosh as its Chief Financial Officer, effective Sept. 30.

He will lead the organization’s finance and information technology operations. McIntosh previously worked as Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer at the City of Henderson Government and has more than 25 years of local government leadership and accounting experience.

“We are excited to welcome Jim to the LVCVA team. Jim is a highly respected leader whose experience and financial acumen will be invaluable during this period of tremendous investment and growth in Las Vegas,” Steve Hill, LVCVA’s CEO and President, said.

Vegas Means Business

Kevin Duvall will be promoted to the position of CEO at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) on Sept. 16.

He will succeed Frank Poe, who has been GWCCA’s CEO for more than a decade.

Duvall joined GWCCA in 2006 and currently serves as its Chief Operating Officer. He has more than 30 years of leadership experience in exhibitions and venue management.

“I am honored to continue my journey with Georgia World Congress Center Authority as CEO. I look forward to working with the talented team at GWCCA and building on the organization’s legacy of excellence. Together, we will continue to drive innovation, deliver compelling guest experiences and create lasting value for our shareholders,” Duvall said.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show returned to Chicago’s McCormick Place May 18-21.

This year marked its first edition under Informa Connect’s ownership.

“We’ve been able to really leverage what Informa Connect calls the ‘power of us,’ which is all of our events in the foodservice industry, all of our great media products,” Tom Cindric, President, Exhibitions at Informa Connect Foodservice, said.

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Thank you to Visit Orlando for being a Silver Sponsor of Trade Show Executive’s 2024 Gold 100 Awards & Summit, which recognizes the 100 largest U.S.-based trade shows from last year.

Find more event information here: https://tsegold100.com/

Koelnmesse GmbH is celebrating 100 years of business in 2024.

Trade Show Executive connected with Mette Petersen, Koelnmesse Inc.’s President and Managing Director, about how the company is celebrating this milestone.

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The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) partnered with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which organizes the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), to host the new NKBA | KBIS Design Experience, a daily educational event series, at Fall High Point Market 2024.

According to the HPMA, the series is the first of its kind.

“The way living spaces are used today is fluid and ever-evolving. It’s an exciting time to showcase the mix of furnishings, décor and utility in all parts of the home … Partnering with the NKBA and KBIS allows us to deliver fresh experiences from the kitchen and bath design sector to this season’s guests of High Point Market,” Tammy Covington Nagem, HPMA’s President and CEO, said.

Learn more about the Fall 2024 edition of High Point Market here:

https://tradeshowexecutive.com/fall-2024-high-point-market-to-feature-updates-and-enhanced-andmore-resources/

Fall 2024 High Point Market to Feature Updates and Enhanced ANDMORE Resources The High Point Market Authority and ANDMORE have a host of new updates for the upcoming Fall 2024 High Point Market.