Industry News
Curated headlines from the trade show and exhibition industry's top publications, associations, and expert blogs. Stay current with exhibitor announcements, show openings, industry trends, and market news from across the events world. Whether you follow technology, healthcare, food, or manufacturing events, our news feed surfaces the stories that matter to trade show professionals, exhibitors, and event marketers.
Defining the Career Roadmap
The events industry has a people problem. It’s not that professionals burnout and leave. It’s that we never built a real career infrastructure for them in the first place. Young professionals don’t join the events industry reluctantly. They come in excited—genuinely excited—drawn by the energy, the…
21st Century Expo Group Names Mats Bruin CFO
21st Century Expo Group (21st CEG) has appointed Mats Bruin chief financial officer (CFO). Bruin brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, strategy, and business leadership. The appointment comes as 21st CEG marks its 35th anniversary. Bruin joins 21st CEG leadership team Bruin has a…
The Generational Grip: Why We’re Scared to Hand Over the Keys
Breaking the Cycle of Ego and “Seasoning” on the Show Floor I’ll start with a confession: I have an ego. To my regular readers that should not be a surprise. In the tradeshow world, you almost have to have one to survive the load-in, but that same ego makes me wonder—if I’m already checking my […]…
Employco at 30: Navigating Change, Building Stability
As Employco marks its 30-year milestone, its origins, growth, and the moments that shaped it come into focus Employco was established in 1996 by Bob Wilson along with his two sons, Rob and Scott Wilson. They had a clear, three-prong focus: helping companies reduce workers’ compensation premiums;…
RX Launches DIY CON as Hands-On Consumer Event
RX will stage the first-ever DIY CON, a hands-on event for makers, builders, creators, and home-improvement audiences, Nov. 6-8, 2026, at Fair Park in Dallas. The immersive consumer show will include workshops, creator-led sessions, live product demos, brand activations, and community areas for…
Kenes Group Reports 2025 Growth, AI Investment After 60th Year
Kenes Group released its 2025 annual report June 29, outlining a year shaped by global event volume, artificial intelligence investment, sustainability work, workforce stability, and the company’s 60-year milestone. Annual Report Marks 60 Years Founded in 1965, Kenes Group has grown into a global…
SEMA Opens 2026 Battle of the Builders Entries
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers. The custom vehicle competition will return during the 2026 SEMA Show, set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 6, in Las Vegas. Motorcycles added for 2026 Now in…
OVG Names Scott Hallgren General Manager in Dubuque
Oak View Group (OVG) has named Scott Hallgren, Certified Venue Executive (CVE), general manager of Grand River Convention Center and Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Hallgren began the role June 1. He most recently served as executive director of Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa. Hallgren…
ESCA Summer Conference Closes With Labor, Policy, and Leadership Focus
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) Summer Educational Conference closed Wednesday, July 1, at Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada, with sessions focused on brand loyalty, labor uncertainty, industry collaboration, Washington policy, artificial intelligence (AI), workforce…
EDPA Northeast to Host Night at the Ballpark in Baltimore
Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) Northeast will host EDPA Northeast Night at the Ballpark Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The networking event will bring exhibit and event professionals together in a private suite as the Baltimore Orioles face…
Orbus Announces Enhanced Custom Rental Solutions and Strategic Partnership With bematrix
Chicago, IL – June 30, 2026 – Orbus, a leading manufacturer and supplier of exhibit and display solutions, today announced the introduction of enhanced custom rental solutions developed in partnership with bematrix. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders to create scalable,…
July 4 Has Always Been America’s Biggest Live Event
On July 4, America does not just celebrate. It builds. For one day each year, parks become concert venues, streets become parade routes, harbors become stages, stadiums become symbols, and city skylines become screens. The work is temporary, but the memory is meant to last. Long before…
ESCA Summer Conference Day 2 Tackles Economy, M&A, and AI
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) Summer Educational Conference continued Tuesday, June 30, at Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada, with a day built around economic uncertainty, mergers and acquisitions, artificial intelligence, and deeper breakout discussions designed to…
PUBLISHER’S CORNER, Q3 2026: Built to Hold Up
This industry has never been short on pressure. Deadlines move fast. Details change late. People get pulled in different directions. One show closes while another one is already loading in. That has always been part of the job. We adjust. We solve. We keep moving. But it takes more than hustle to…
What You’re Protecting Is Capping How You Lead
Most leaders think they are stuck because of strategy, people, or execution. What actually slows them down is harder to see. It shows up in where they step in, what they hold onto, and what they avoid. This piece looks at the three things leaders quietly protect, and how those protections end up…
ECN Announces 2026 Quarter 3 Print Edition: The People Behind the People
I am pleased to announce that the Quarter 3 2026 issue for Exhibit City News is officially live. You can access the edition via the link on our homepage. For those of you who will receive our physical print magazine, look forward to it in the coming weeks. Human resources is not usually the loudest…
ESCA Summer Conference Opens Education Program in Banff
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) Summer Educational Conference, which runs Sunday, June 28, through Wednesday, July 1, at Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada, moved into its first full day of education Monday, June 29, as speakers examined leadership, operational…
WHX Miami Draws 13,000 to Miami Beach Convention Center
World Health Expo Miami (WHX Miami) 2026 drew more than 13,000 attendees to Miami Beach Convention Center. The show also included 1,200 exhibitors and healthcare leaders from more than 120 countries. The three-day event focused on healthcare innovation, international trade, business development,…
LVHA July Panel to Focus on Corporate Events
Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA) will host its July Panel Lunch Thursday, July 16, at AC Element Las Vegas Symphony Park. The program will focus on the future of corporate events and the agency strategies behind major brands. “The Future of Corporate Events: Insights From the Agencies…
beMatrix USA Hosts Summer Academy in Georgia
NORCROSS, GA (June 22nd, 2026) – bematrix USA proudly hosted its bi-annual Academy from June 9th to June 11th, welcoming more than 50 attendees from 34 companies for the immersive three-day event designed to educate customers on bematrix’s products and services. Academy kicked off Tuesday evening…