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.
In Memoriam: Thomas James Bacha
In Memoriam: Thomas James Bacha June 12, 1953 – May 24, 2026 Thomas James Bacha died peacefully on May 24, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He was 72. Bacha built a long career in the exhibit and event services industry, with leadership roles across several major companies tied to the Chicago…
Las Vegas Tradeshow Workers Ratify Four-Year Teamsters Contract
More than 2,000 Las Vegas tradeshow workers represented by Teamsters Local 631 have ratified a four-year contract, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced June 4. The agreement covers wages, benefits, automation protections, and workplace safety. The agreement covers workers employed…
Joyce Leveston Elected Chair of UFI North American Chapter
Joyce Leveston, president and chief executive officer of Javits Center, has been elected chair of UFI’s North American Chapter. Her three-year term will begin after UFI’s General Assembly, which will take place ahead of the UFI Global Congress in November 2026. Leveston to lead North American…
Jackie Boughton to Step Back from Full-Time Barbican Role
Jackie Boughton, director of commercial at the Barbican, will step back from her full-time role in September after 12 years with the London venue. Boughton will continue with the Barbican as executive consultant, innovation and growth. In the role, she will work with Chief Executive Abigail Pogson…
Visit Orlando Names Jessica Sibley Senior Director of Convention Sales
Visit Orlando has named Jessica Sibley senior director of convention sales. Sibley brings more than 17 years of group sales experience to the role. Most recently, she served as director of sales for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Sibley joins convention sales team At Four…
Asia-Pacific, Americas Events Show Growth and Investment
Business events activity across Asia-Pacific and the Americas in May reflected continued investment in venue operations, destination marketing, industry partnerships, and event infrastructure. Highlights included new convention wins, venue milestones, logistics and tourism initiatives, and…
ASAE Names 2026-2028 DELP Scholars
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has named 12 association professionals to the 2026-2028 class of its Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP). Now in its 26th year, DELP is a two-year leadership program for association professionals. Scholars receive ASAE membership,…
ARCHEX Marks 50 Years in Event Design
ARCHEX, a Montreal-based event design company led by sisters Anik Forest and Stéphanie Forest, will mark its 50th anniversary June 9. The company designs custom tradeshow exhibits and event environments, and supports clients through logistics, installation, and onsite execution. Sisters lead…
McCormick Place Earns ISSA Sustainability Certification
McCormick Place has become the first facility to earn Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building + Sustainability Certification with Honors from ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions. The certification recognizes McCormick Place’s sustainable cleaning and…
Michelle Thomas Joins Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Legends Global have announced that Michelle Thomas has joined the venue as assistant general manager. Thomas brings Cleveland hospitality experience Thomas brings more than 20 years of hospitality leadership experience to the role. Her career has been…
Europe Events Report Growth and Uncertainty
European business events activity in May centered on venue investment, destination performance, certification, logistics, and industry advocacy. Highlights include London’s continued meetings growth, Olympia’s redevelopment, major exhibitions in Germany and Spain, and new research showing how…
Richelle Foote Joins Exhibit Expressions
Exhibit Expressions has announced that Richelle A. Foote has joined the company as senior account executive. Family roots in the exhibit industry Richelle A. Foote brings decades of exhibit and event marketing experience to the role. Her background also includes a lifelong connection to the…
Kimberly Taylor Joins the Exhibitor Advocate Board
e Exhibitor Advocate announces the appointment of Kimberly Taylor to its board of directors. Taylor brings representation from the exhibiting side of the defense segment. Her appointment further supports the organization’s commitment to championing the exhibitor voice. Taylor brings…
May People on the Move Recap
From museum fabrication to exhibit sales and event services, this month’s People on the Move highlights industry pros taking on new roles across the tradeshow world. Craig Hoffend joins Design and Production Craig Hoffend has joined Design and Production Incorporated as general manager. Earlier…
FIT Students Partner with Access TCA on Exhibit Design Project
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Graduate Exhibition and Experience Design students partnered with Access TCA during the 2026 spring semester. The sponsored project focused on experiential tradeshow design. Students developed design proposals in response to a client brief for Akebia…
How Exhibit Houses Can Help Clients Control Rising Costs
The financial landscape of the live events industry is changing fast, and everyone in the global events ecosystem is trying to adapt to mounting cost pressures from every direction. Exhibitors still want to make a splash. They want show-stopping features, immersive environments, memorable…
Julia Kenyon Receives 2026 ATSC Contributor Award
ATSC, The Broadcast Standards Association, honored Julia Kenyon of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) with the 2026 Bernard J. Lechner Outstanding Contributor Award. The recognition took place during ATSC’s June 2-3 NextGen Broadcast Conference in Washington, D.C. Kenyon recognized for…
Nth Degree Announces Four Fern Expo Leadership Appointments
Nth Degree announced several executive leadership appointments within Fern Expo, its general contracting division. Nth Degree named Shana Carr president of Fern Expo. Carr brings 30 years of tradeshow industry experience to the role. She will focus on client experience, operations, and national…
Cindy Moss Retirement Set for June 2026
Cindy Moss, citywide sales executive at Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), will retire at the end of June 2026. She has spent 26 years with the organization. A long run with ACVB Moss helped bring major group business to Atlanta throughout her ACVB career. As part of the tradeshow sales…
A Look Back at ECN Tradeshow History: June 2026
Welcome back to “A Look Back at ECN Tradeshow History.” This month, the archives move from pandemic recovery to digital reinvention and long-running industry change. From women leading logistics and event services to social media entering the tradeshow playbook, these stories show how people,…