Washington, DC – On Saturday, May 1st,the Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) re-evaluated, then reaffirmed its plans to pull the International Builders Show out of New Orleans in 2013 and 2014. The decision was based on forecasts that the show will outgrow the city and venue, says Wayne Stetson, Senior Vice President […]
Washington, DC – The International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) signed an landmark agreement with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on April 21st . Here‘s how the two groups will work together to increase trade between the two countries, using exhibitions as a platform. With the assistance of the U.S. Department […]
Cincinnati – After ten years of planning, the expansion and renovation of the Cincinnati’s Convention Center began on April 27th with groundbreaking ceremonies. The Cinergy Center, as it will be called, will offer 200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space; over 100,000 square feet of meeting space; and a 40,000 square foot ballroom. Completion date: mid-2006.
Las Vegas – The newest battle looming in Las Vegas isn’t a highly publicized boxing match. At issue is a contractual dispute between The Interface Group – Nevada (owner of the Sands Expo & Convention Center and the Venetian Casino Resort), and MAGIC and its owner, Advanstar Communications. Neither Richard Heller, President & General Manager […]
Washington, DC – In a surprise move, the Homeland Security Department announced on April 2nd that new rules will take effect in six months that would require citizens from 27 “visa waiver” countries to be fingerprinted and photographed upon entering the United States. The decision will close what the government sees as a loophole in screening visitors. […]
Washington, DC – At a closed-door session of the House Committee on Small Business held in Washington, DC on March 30th, IAEM reiterated its recommendation for the creation of a “Fast Track” visa issuance program that would recognize a prior favorable history of a business traveler and make it easier for that person to re-enter the […]
Detroit – As the city of Detroit struggles with a $96 MIL deficit, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has targeted staff cutbacks at Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center as one way to mitigate the financial losses. Lou Pavledes, Director since 1996, was let go on April 20th. The Mayor’s proposed new budget would eliminate 23 of the 103 jobs […]
Boston, MA – When Champion Exposition Services acquired The Colonnade Group last month, it signaled the general service contractor’s entry into an entirely different market arena. The Colonnade Group provides service for major hospitality events for corporations at sports classics including The Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup, Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the FedEx St. Jude […]
Indianapolis, IN – A feasibility study conducted for the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome by PricewaterhouseCoopers, released yesterday, found that an expansion of 275,000 square feet of exhibit space would draw an additional 20 major trade shows and five consumer shows per year, pumping $165 million into the local economy. Here’s why the CVB and […]
New York – On March 23, the Board of Directors of the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) ratified the action of its Executive Committee for a special tax on hotel rooms. The money raised would be used to underwrite a bond issue which, in turn, would be used for the expansion of the […]