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.
Meetings and Events Industry Shifts From Recovery to Reinvention in 2026
Investment surges as organizations recognize gatherings as core business drivers, not discretionary spending anymore. FCM Meetings & Events Business Leader of the Americas Gabriella Antoniotti explores what 2026 signals for the future of meetings and events.
This Week on the Convene Podcast: Setting the Tone for Civility, Designing Inclusive Events, and Leading Through Change
From why event codes of conduct should go beyond compliance, to Laura Nelson’s guidance on sober‑inclusive, wellness‑forward design, to Pauline Nguyen’s insights on self‑leadership and emotional resilience — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.
The CES 2026 BOSS Award Winners
CES 2026 wasn’t just another stop on the global tech tour — it felt more like a full-scale preview of how brands will connect with audiences for the next decade. Beyond the headlines about AI, robotics, and next-gen hardware, the real story unfolded on the show floor itself, where experiences were…
When the Experience Becomes the Brand Message
In today’s events, audiences rarely remember a specific slide or a particular sentence from a presentation. What tends to remain is the experience surrounding that moment: the atmosphere in the room, the visual energy of the stage, the rhythm created by light and sound, and the way the environment…
Forthcoming Austin Convention Center
In keeping with Texas’ expansion and redevelopment of convention centers (see our Dallas CC Spotlight) Austin is revamping the Austin Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez Street), but in a typically Texas big way: the old Austin Convention Center was demolished to make way for an entirely new…
How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection
A progressive opening reception gave a group of association management industry professionals the chance to mix with local artists — and to see the ins and outs of a convention center in a far more engaging way than a formal facility tour.
Minority Conferences Face Lower Attendance
The effects of anti-DEI policies are being felt by associations representing minority professionals, particularly when it comes to their events. Here’s how the National Black MBA Association is navigating those changes and other macroeconomic shifts.
Wellness Experience Flexed Relationship Muscles
Smart Meetings Wellness Experience at The Monarch San Antonio, Curio Collection by Hilton defined what a conference that takes into account the physical and mental needs of participants could feel […] The post Wellness Experience Flexed Relationship Muscles appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Inside a 90-Day Meeting Makeover
Embracing people-first design helped 2026 Visionary Awards finalist Mindy Grubb reimagine eXp Realty’s 5,000-person flagship annual event in just three months.
How Cîroc is Tailoring its Athletic Club Platform to Tap into Pickleball, Dance and More
With the news cycle in flux and doomscrolling becoming a daily norm, leisure isn’t necessarily top of mind for consumers, but Cîroc is looking to change that with the Cîroc Athletic Club. The vodka brand’s new experiential platform brings together sports, fashion and culinary culture to create a…
This Digital Events Strategist Is Zooming Out to Serve a Global Community
How 2026 Visionary Awards Finalist Kimberly Inniger shaped ORCID’s digital and hybrid events to ‘meet our community where they are.’
Reimagining Event Inclusivity From the Inside Out
Association planner and 2026 Visionary Awards Finalist Kyle Jordan’s decade with the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association has helped him reimagine inclusivity for his own events portfolio
2026 Visionary Awards Showcase the Professionals Elevating Our Industry
PCMA’s annual awards ceremony will recognize business events industry changemakers and highlight the impact of gathering in person on May 7 in Washington, D.C.
Conflict in Middle East Continues to Disrupt Events Industry
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Informa is among a growing number of trade show organizers pushing their gatherings to later in the year due to geopolitical instability tied to the Iran War. Informa has postponed two of its largest regional events, LEAP and Middle East Energy, into late summer and…
Unite Here Highlights How Federal Immigration Raids Are Impacting Frontline Workers
A new report shows the broad impact of recent U.S. immigration policy and ICE activity on the hospitality industry.
Thynk and ShowCycle Partner on single Salesforce-powered platform
Thynk, the enterprise venue management solution, and ShowCycle, the all-in-one software for exhibition organisers built natively on Salesforce, have announced the launch of their integrated Exhibition Center Solution for large-scale convention and event venues. By combining Thynk’s sales and…
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Rent vs. Buy for Trade Shows: Insights from 60+ Years of Experience
👉 LISTEN NOW: Beyond the Booth, Episode 2 🎙️ Article Summary This podcast explores the strategic decision between renting, buying, or hybrid trade show exhibits, drawing on 60+ years of industry experience to highlight the real costs, flexibility, and long-term implications of each approach. It…
Freeman Blue Echo Leverages 3D Venue Visualization to Aid Organizers, Designers and Brands in Planning
DALLAS — Today, Freeman launched its new AI-powered 3D venue visualization platform, Freeman Blue Echo, which uses scans of convention centers to create fully navigable environments to plan, visualize and experience an event’s design before getting onsite. The new tool aims to provide designers,…
Deal Tracker: Trade Show Organizers Step Up Activity in High-Growth Verticals
Fresh investment and new event launches are redefining portfolios as companies target rapidly evolving markets.
Financial Updates Emphasize Events’ Resilience Amid Uncertainty
CHICAGO — Despite volatile conditions early in 2025 and ongoing uncertainty around the economic and political landscape globally, publicly listed companies in the trade show industry reported strong financial results for the year ending on Dec. 31, 2025. Trade Show Executive dived into the major…