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.
George R. Brown Convention Center Spotlight
Laying in the heart of downtown Houston, George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) (1001 Avenida de las Americas) was named after Houston entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, George R. Brown. The Texas Eastern Transmission Company (of which Brown was an investor) donated over half the real…
Case Study: Inside Washington DC’s ‘Space Prom’
Held at Washington Hilton, the annual Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner gathers more than 2,000 leaders across government, aerospace and academia to honor innovation at the highest level. The post Case Study: Inside Washington DC’s ‘Space Prom’ appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Trade Show Executive Pardon Our Dust Report Preview: Expansions Continue at the Largest Convention Centers in North America
CHICAGO — A total of 35 trade show venues are listed in next month’s edition of Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) Pardon Our Dust report, 20 of which are weighing expansion options while 15 have broken ground and are actively working on new event facilities. “The April edition of TSE’s semi-annual…
The Evolution of Trade Show Booths: Emphasizing Human Connection
Observations from the HIMSS Show Floor
Choose Chicago Elevates Leadership: Dustin Arnheim Named CSO Amid Strategic Staff Promotions
The Windy City’s tourism powerhouse announced strategic leadership promotions across sales, marketing, communications, and human resources to bolster its efforts in generating over $20 billion in annual economic impact for the city.
Top Technology Trade Shows and Exhibit Setup Tips
Technology companies understand that a successful trade show can boost their sales for the year. As a result, they take their trade show planning seriously. They develop a comprehensive strategy for their pre-show, show, and post show activities. The post Top Technology Trade Shows and Exhibit…
Hybrid Booth Layout Tips for Hardware & Software
In the days of yore, trade show exhibits were simple: graphics, products, and lights. Today’s exhibits feature hybrid booth layouts blending hardware and software. This physical and digital combination creates both design complexity and marketing opportunities. The post Hybrid Booth Layout Tips for…
ISC West Introduces Featured Areas to Represent the Evolving Industry Landscape
LAS VEGAS — ISC West 2026, set for March 23–27 at The Venetian Expo, is offering comprehensive security education, cutting-edge technologies and quality networking experiences — while going one step further. Recognizing the evolving security industry landscape, the show has created featured areas…
TV Personality Lisa Vanderpump Set to Open Boutique Hotel On Las Vegas Strip in May
The 188-room property replaces The Cromwell and includes a rooftop venue for meetings. Group bookings begin in May with custom design throughout the space.
Why Food Safety Is Defining the Future of Event Experiences
Why Food Safety Is Defining the Future of Event Experiences is a contributed article from the Seattle Convention Center CHICAGO — Earlier this month, Trade Show Executive’s Young Professionals Corner took a deep dive into event security, looking at how organizers are keeping participants safe with…
Boosting Event Retention with Personalization in 2026
Boosting Event Retention with Personalization in 2026 is a contributed article by Ashleigh Cook, Chief Marketing Officer at RainFocus The global events industry is projected to hit $2.1 trillion by 2032, yet only about 30% of attendees return to the same event. This gap is raising alarms,…
Julie Sullivan’s Playbook Includes a Masterclass in Chapter Revival
What do you do when your chapter is on life support and others have walked away? Chapter Merit Award winner Julie Sullivan didn’t just answer that question – she turned a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a masterclass in transformational leadership. Discover the unconventional strategies and…
What’s the Value of an Economic Impact Report?
How to present the full picture of how your trade show benefits a destination.
Inside SISO CEO Summit 2026: 20 Takeaways Curated by TSNN
The 2026 SISO CEO Summit drew a record-breaking 477 attendees from 250 companies across 20 countries to Kiawah Island, SC, where industry leaders discussed evolving KPIs, AI implementation, hyper-personalization, community building, and the shift from sponsorship to strategic partnerships while…
Power Flame's Enhanced AHR Expo Presence with Skyline Partnership
Article Summary Power Flame, a long-established leader in combustion equipment, partnered with Skyline to elevate its AHR Expo presence into one that better reflected its brand while maintaining its strengths in relationship-building. Through a collaborative design process and strong on-site…
Intentionality is Strategy
As we celebrate Women's History Month, IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan Examines How the Trade Show Industry Can Open Real Paths for Women to Lead
Toma's Stellar NADA Debut: A Masterclass in AI Brand-Building
How Toma turned their NADA debut into a masterclass in intentional brand-building — and why they are already planning a bigger booth for next year. Article Summary Toma, an AI platform for automotive dealerships, made a strong debut at NADA 2025 with a strategically designed booth and experience…
Hyatt Leads Wave of Major Makeovers Across U.S. Event Spaces
Three Hyatt resorts across the U.S. West expand their event offerings, plus the latest updates on convention center overhauls in Austin and Atlanta.
Oakland Back in the Spotlight as Hometown Stars Boost Destination Buzz
Smart Meetings sat down with Visit Oakland President and CEO Peter Gamez to talk about the international buzz from recent Olympic- and Academy Award-related wins surrounding the city and what makes Oakland an appealing destination for meeting planners. The post Oakland Back in the Spotlight as…
Smart Women Rules: Five Leadership Lessons for Thriving, No Matter What’s Next
Editor’s note: This summary of the webinar transcript was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The meetings industry has always rewarded agility, but the last few years have demanded […] The post Smart Women Rules: Five Leadership Lessons for Thriving, No Matter What’s Next…