PCMA Convening Leaders at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

PCMA Convening Leaders at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

Tuesday Highlights:

PCMA Convening Leaders

Keynotes from Ford, Cisco, GE and entertainment community top Day 2

LAS VEGAS — A keynote address from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, the Innovation Power Panel with leaders from Cisco, GE and Xerox, along with the first-ever Entertainment Matters keynote panel were the day two highlights of the 2011 International CES. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the 2011 CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, runs through Sunday in Las Vegas.

Friday morning's CES Innovation Power Panel keynote provided a unique discussion with three U.S. business luminaries — Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox; John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco and Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE. Moderated by CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro, the Innovation Power Panel discussion included many issues that affect American businesses' ability to innovate, including the U.S. education system, trade and exports, immigration policy and tax policy.

On education, the panelists agreed the U.S. K-12 system is broken. They recommended a measurable program with ambitious goals that would move the U.S. education to the top five in the world, from the top 30. Panelists agreed that the U.S. needs an immigration policy that encourages the best and the brightest not only to come attend college, but also to start companies in the U.S. and remain. [More at TSE]

TV personalities, sports legends, entertainers to expected to attend CES

LAS VEGAS — Television personalities, sports icons, award winning-actors and government officials will attend the 2011 International CES to showcase and discuss the innovative products and technologies shaping consumer technology. The 2011 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, occurs January 6-9 in Las Vegas. TSE

LVCVA meeting

LVCVA meeting

Champion's Eventrac Technology Suite Includes New Vendor Management Tool

Champion's Eventrac Technology Suite Includes New Vendor Management Tool

Mandalay Bay Convention Center introduces ultimate catering experiences

LAS VEGAS – Mandalay Bay Catering and Convention Services continues to lead the way in innovative programs for meeting and convention groups with five new packages specifically designed for groups of 10 to 50 people.  Whether it's finding just the right event to keep key executives talking about your convention long after they return to the office or an experience your incentive group will put in their "that was amazing" file, look no further than the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

These distinctive and memorable programs – an intimate beach barbecue, a VIP wine tasting, a team-building culinary challenge and the opportunity to work and learn side-by-side with rm seafood celebrated chef Rick Moonen – are sure to be event hits.

"We strive to provide one-of-a-kind experiences to 'wow' our small meeting and incentive groups; we create events that both entertain and enhance team bonding," said Martie Sparks, vice president of Catering and Convention Services for Mandalay Bay. "In addition to the outstanding services already provided to our clients, this program ups the ante for our incentive groups and small conferences; plus it's ideal for key executives or spouse events for our larger groups."

[CLICK HERE TO READ MORE]

International News: Exhibitor Increase at Wire & Cable India 2010

A total of 286 exhibitors from 24 countries showcased their latest products and technologies to 5,600 trade visitors at the recent staging of Wire & Cable India 2010, India's largest and most important trade fair for the wire and cable industry. The number of exhibitors grew by almost 30 percent compared to the 2008 event and gross exhibit space rose by 50 percent.

This increase is a clear indication of a promising market with continued growth in buying power and the need of India's diverse industries for the latest innovations and state-of-the-art technologies.  The majority of the visitors came from the wire and cable applications industries particularly from building and construction, transportation, electronics and machinery manufacturing. A considerable number of the visitors had decision making authority. The event featured country group exhibits from Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan and the U.S.

The positive results were no surprise to many exhibitors given the fast pace of developments in India and the large interest by overseas exhibitors in India's growth potentials. Exhibitors reported sales during the show and expect a good post-show business.  The majority of exhibitors believe that the buying trends will increase further given India's high economic momentum for the next two decades. It is expected that foreign direct investments will continue to rise rapidly with strong interest in property, construction, IT and telecommunications.

The exhibition was supported by the "Global Technologies for Emerging India" conference with special emphasis on emerging technologies for the wire and cable sector, which was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The next Wire & Cable India event will be staged from October 29 - 31, 2012 in Mumbai — concurrently with the Tube India and Metallurgy India trade fair and the Schweissen & Schneiden trade show (organized by Messe Essen). For further information on visiting or exhibiting at Wire & Cable India, Tube India or Metallurgy India 2012, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit their web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to their blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago

 

LVCC, SEMA recycle 86 percent of show waste

LAS VEGAS  — The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) recorded its highest percentage of recycled materials from a major trade show during the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show at 86 percent.

"We are very proud to have diverted more than 58 tons of waste from the show floor during SEMA," said Taryle Spain, director of client services for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), operators of the LVCC.  "We have made a commitment to being an environmentally-friendly facility, and our recycling program has had great success."

The LVCVA partners with Evergreen Recycling, a subsidiary of Republic Services, to sort and recycle materials during and after trade shows in the building. 

Evergreen is able to recycle materials such as carpet and padding, metals, cardboard, plastic, and wood that is used during trade shows at the facility.

"We committed to a comprehensive recycling program about three years ago, and we continue to see improvement," Spain said.  "Last year we achieved an overall recycling rate of 66 percent, and we are committed to pushing that past 70 percent this year."

In addition to the successful recycling program, the 50-year-old facility also utilizes environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, switched to energy-efficient lighting, and purchased a bulb crusher to safely dispose of florescent light bulbs.

The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the busiest facilities in the country and recycled more than 1,250 tons of waste in the past year.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center.  With more than 148,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.5 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever‑increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area.  For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.VisitLasVegas.com.

More than just a Lucky coincidence

More than just a Lucky coincidence

David Lucky knows a good thing when he sees it.

As an investment banker he was involved in corporate liquidations and attended auctions looking for a good buy. In 2004 he just happened to be in attendance when one of the items up for bid was a 40-foot-by-40-foot exhibit booth

He only had a vague idea of what was up for bid. His sole intention was to make a purchase and make a profit.

At that time he did not know much about booths but he did realize he was bidding on a custom booth at a bargain price. [READ MORE]

Howie Mandel

Napa Valley Chef to manage Monterey Bay Aquarium dining establishment

Napa Valley Chef to manage Monterey Bay Aquarium dining establishment

A tribute to fallen heroes!

Anticipating a new COMDEX experience

I am a big fan of technology trade shows. I have been to MacWorld and I look forward to attending CES every year in Las Vegas. For that matter I like just about any trade show that is held here in Las Vegas.

The one BIG show I never got a chance to attend is COMDEX. The last COMDEX was in 2003 before I really knew what trade shows were all about.

I had heard about COMDEX and I had friends who had attended and told me about all the nifty gadgets and awesome giveaways and celebrity sightings. When the official announcement was made about the cancellation of COMDEX, I was as disappointed as any trade show techie geek who never got a chance to see for him or herself what COMDEX was really all about.

COMDEX, which stands for Computer Dealer's Exposition, started 1979 as a way for the computer dealers around the country to see new technology and make business deals.
t was one of the largest computer trade shows in the world, usually second only to the German CeBIT, and by many accounts one of the largest trade shows in any industry sector. The first COMDEX was held in 1979 at the MGM Grand (now Bally's), with 167 exhibitors and 3904 attendees.

In March of this year Everything Channel, a UBM company, announced the re-launch of COMDEX as a virtual event.

The virtual event is scheduled to take place next week from Nov. 16-17 and will offer a unique and progressive platform for technology vendors to connect with new business, new revenue streams and monetize new opportunities. It will also provide a forum for the sellers of technology to visit with technology vendors to view new products and technology roadmaps.
"The technology sales channel drives two-thirds of technology sales worldwide," Robert Faletra, CEO, Everything Channel said in a press release announcing the event. "We live in a globally connected world and a virtual COMDEX gives us the ability to connect this powerful market which is now untapped. When COMDEX first launched it was positioned as a show for the technology sales channel, we are pleased to bring it back to its initial mission."

Recently I got a sneak peak at COMDEX Virtual. It was more of an introduction to the new COMEDEX with a chance to see the home page and get an idea of what to expect when COMDEX goes live on Nov. 16.

According to Everything Channel, the virtual COMDEX is the only show designed exclusively for the global technology sales channel. Everything Channel is returning COMDEX to its original vision as Computer Dealer Expo, an event designed exclusively for the technology sales channel, a community that drives $424 billion or two-thirds of technology sales in North America. The virtual COMDEX will be built on a cutting-edge, globally enabled virtual event technology platform which will feature the city of Las Vegas and its neon lights — but no cross town traffic, no unruly crowds and no taxi cab lines.

The Expo Hall includes a new easy-to-use directory that presents an alphabetical logo listing of the exhibitor booths, which can alternatively be sorted and displayed by business category. Attendees just click on a company name to visit a booth. The booths themselves have also been redesigned to offer both maximum branding and messaging space for exhibitors, and ease of navigation to chat and view content for visitors.

COMDEX virtual has introduced gated hospitality suites designed for vendors looking to hold secure meetings with partners and prospects. The suite hosts provide the pre-determined code to the guests for entry, providing vendors the opportunity to present proprietary information, roll out new programs, conduct training, and engage in candid conversations.

I will be logged in and I will explore the new COMDEX. Granted it won’t quite be the same as being at the Las Vegas Convention Center since there will be no face-to-face interviews and no pens or stress balls and other tchotchkes to take home.

If you get parched, no problem! Attendees can have a virtual drink in the VAR Bar that offers a public meeting space for attendees to mix, mingle, and network. Each live event day ends with dedicated time in the VAR Bar – where attendees can chat with other attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and members of the press. Virtual drinks are available, which deplete and refill with each click for an interactive extra.

One of the fun and functional features attendees will find at COMDEX virtual is the Build-a-Badge Kiosk, sponsored by Microsoft. The kiosk is located in the Lobby, the point of entry upon login. Attendees have the opportunity to upload their pictures and create a virtual badge (which can be used as a personalized virtual card throughout the event) or an electronic post card. Both files can easily be saved and posted to Facebook or used for a twitpic to provide updates for social media followers.

To register to attend the event, visit: www.COMDEX.com. To follow COMDEX on Twitter visit https://twitter.com/COMDEXvirtual links to other social media Websites are also available and can be found on the COMDEX home page.

Car enthusiasts get an eyeful at SEMA

Throughout the year I attend quite a few trade shows in Las Vegas. Some are more interesting than others to me. I enjoy MAGIC because of the suits and really like CES because of the technology. Next week another one of my favorite car shows rolls into town courtesy of the Specialty Equipment Market Association.

SEMA brings more than more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets.
Last year the SEMA Show 2009 drew more than 50,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 1,500 newly introduced parts, tools and components.

What makes this show more interesting are the educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and celebrity sightings.

Anyone who enjoys cars and car accessories will be at Las Vegas Convention Center for the Nov. 2 opening. If you have a fondness for cars and automobile accessories the SEMA show is for you.
It is like two shows in one week with organizers of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo or AAPEX, taking place at the Sands Expo during the same three days.

AAPEX is the do-it-yourself retail aftermarket and the “professionally installed” aftermarket. More than one million square feet of space makes AAPEX the global source for parts, accessories and service equipment.

This year's show is looking like the aisles may be crowded since both AAPEX and SEMA show organizers have reported increased buyer registations.

More information on that can be found by clicking here.

There is sure to be plenty of treats for car enthusiast in Las Vegas next week!

Amazing Race

Got a chance to meet Phil Keoghan, host if Amazing Race. Real nice guy.

Global Gaming Expo (G2E) unveils major changes to future trade shows

MAJOR CHANGES TO FUTURE TRADE SHOWS
G2E to Move to New Venue, Global Calendar of Events

LAS VEGAS — The American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions today announced that G2E 2011 will take place Oct. 4-6, reflecting a newly adjusted schedule that moves the annual trade show and conference ahead by more than one month. Also beginning in 2011, G2E will move from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Sands Expo and Convention Center. The dates of G2E Asia, held annually in Macau, also will shift in order to create a more evenly spaced global calendar of events.

"G2E is the only international event developed 'by the industry, for the industry,'" said Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. "These changes, which were made with the needs of both exhibitors and attendees in mind, are concrete proof of our commitment to that creed. We expect the revised schedule to result in increased attendance and sales at all of our events."

According to show organizers, the revised schedule brings with it numerous advantages, including allowing exhibitors more breathing room between major international gaming events. It also will help purchasing decision-makers at gaming companies plan for the year ahead with greater ease and, ultimately, enhance exhibitors' bottom lines.

"As a Las Vegas-based casino operator, I know well how crucial G2E's flagship show is to both the gaming industry and to this city," said Michael Leven, president and COO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. "The Sands Expo and Convention Center is honored to host such an important annual event, and we are eager to do our part to help it grow in the coming years."

In 2012, G2E Asia will begin taking place in late May, several weeks earlier than previous shows.  The show will continue to be held at convention facilities at The Venetian Macau. 

The complete three-year calendar of future G2E events is as follows:

REVISED G2E INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

G2E 2011 - Oct. 4-6
G2E Asia 2011 - June 8-9
G2E 2012 - Oct. 2-4
G2E Asia 2012 - May 22-24
G2E 2013 - Sept. 24-26*
G2E Asia 2013 - May 21-23

*Date shifted to accommodate the Jewish holidays

"Developing shows that address the needs of our participants always has been our top priority, and their feedback was the key driver of these changes," said Courtney Muller, senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions. "We have had a tremendous run at the Las Vegas Convention Center and thank the team there for their tireless efforts on behalf of the industry. We look forward to this next chapter with great anticipation for continued success in G2E's next decade."

The new calendar and venue were unveiled during a media briefing, which convened gaming industry executives and employees at The Venetian Las Vegas. An archived webcast of the event can be accessed at www.lasvegassands.com.

In November, G2E - this year themed "The New Casino: Operating at Maximum Efficiency for Today's World" - will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The 2010 conference and trade show will offer several exciting new programs, including the inaugural iGaming Congress at G2E, which will provide important insights and information about current and future prospects for online gaming companies. G2E 2010 will take place Nov. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

G2E is the leading trade event for the international gaming entertainment community, attended by nearly 26,000 industry professionals from around the world. For more information on G2E 2010, or to register for group or early bird discounts, visit the website at www.globalgamingexpo.com. Also connect with G2E on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Ahh! What a view.

From the top deck at Dodger Stadium.