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.
Industry Events Convene Trade Show Leaders in Washington DC for Learning, Advocacy and Collaboration
WASHINGTON D.C. — Three industry events centered around education, advocacy and information sharing held back-to-back brought top-level leaders to Washington, D.C., last week. Lippman Connects’ Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) Legislative…
Social Media Deep Dive: What People Really Think of Trade Shows
CHICAGO — Trade show organizers and suppliers educate exhibitors on maximizing the return on their investment with pre-show playbooks and strategic webinars. Exhibitor surveys and post-event interviews are useful tools for feedback. But what are exhibitors and attendees saying off the record, to…
The National WWII Museum’s Historic Event Spaces Surprise, Delight and Educate
NEW ORLEANS — Did you know that NOLA is home to the National WWII Museum? The complex offers comprehensive, immersive exhibits with massive vehicles and a vast collection of mementos, a stunning 4D experience and more thrilling opportunities to educate and entertain visitors — plus, it is an…
Manta Middle East Platform Launch Reflects Optimism for Region’s Growth Trajectory
DUBAI — Manta Media Capital announced the launch of Manta Middle East, which will serve as a regional platform for investment, launching and scaling event businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the wider Middle East. Manta Media Capital is an event accelerator and investment firm that…
Never Done, Never Outdone: Inside Choose Chicago President & CEO Kristen Reynolds’ First Year
CHICAGO — Choose Chicago President & CEO Kristen Reynolds, CDME, recently hit her one-year mark in this vital role, in which she helps bring trade shows and events to one of the world’s top destinations. Trade Show Executive (TSE) sat down with Reynolds to talk about her achievements, how she is…
Hellman & Friedman to Acquire Hyve Group
CHICAGO — Hyve Group, owner and producer of show brands including HLTH, Manifest, Shoptalk and POSSIBLE, announced it is going to be acquired by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman (H&F). H&F has agreed to acquire the business from current owners Providence Equity Partners and Searchlight…
U.S. Travel and Brand USA Share New Strategies to Bring Back International Visitors
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Though the U.S. welcomed 68 million travellers last year, the third highest number in the world, it was the only country with a decline in international travel, according to Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Our once $50-billion travel trade…
Inside Clarion Events North America’s Executive Updates with Liz Irving
SHELTON, Conn. — In spring 2026, Clarion Events North America announced a host of executive-level promotions. These include: Energy: Wayne Bishop Jr. joined Clarion as Executive Vice President of its Energy Portfolio Paul Daniel joined Clarion as Vice President of Energy Media Leigh Mann was…
Equip Exposition Launches Equip Academy to Enhance Show Value
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Oct. 20-23, landscapers, contractors and outdoor power equipment operators will gather at the Kentucky Exposition Center for Equip Exposition, which provides four days of education, networking, product testing and entertainment. This year, the show, produced by the Outdoor…
Diversified Helps Local Community with Day of Caring 2026
PORTLAND, Maine — For a few years, the event organizer Diversified participated in United Way’s annual Day of Caring, which brings together volunteers from numerous companies across the U.S. Diversified’s employees really enjoyed this opportunity, but the organization wanted them to work together…
Destination Spotlight: Baltimore’s City-Wide Transformation to Benefit Event Organizers
CHICAGO — When you think of Baltimore, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think of the $7-billion reinvestment project that’s underway in the city? Or the planned modernization projects happening at the convention center? With new leadership at the city’s DMO, Visit Baltimore, as…
SportAccord Looks to 2027 After Baku Postponement
BAKU, Azerbaijan — When the current conflict in Iran forced the postponement of the 2026 SportAccord convention, organizers faced a challenge familiar to event professionals worldwide: how to preserve confidence and momentum when circumstances beyond anyone’s control derail years of planning.…
Trade Show Industry Pulse Check; Discover What Recent Research is Showing
CHICAGO — There’s been plenty of industry research and analysis coming out in the past few months that could give any event professional a leg-up on the competition. From findings around exhibitor spending to event performance benchmarks to key insights around audience acquisition tactics, industry…
Freeman’s Inside Live at the National Restaurant Association Show Highlights Impactful Strategies
CHICAGO — During the annual National Restaurant Association Show, which is produced by Informa Connect, Freeman held one of its Inside Live events, inviting trade show and event organizers to share in 1.5 days of learning, collaboration, hands-on workshops and expo floor tours. The focus of the…
Trade Show Executive’s Guide to Starting a New Role
CHICAGO — For anyone, a new job can seem daunting. While it’s important to be grateful for exciting opportunities, a new position or promotion comes with numerous challenges, such as taking on vast responsibilities and navigating unfamiliar situations. Trade Show Executive’s Young Professionals…
Strong Solutions and Customer Success: A Q&A with LVCVA’s William Flangas
LAS VEGAS — For more than two decades, William Flangas, CMP, CVP, CEM, Director of Convention Services at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), has helped make Vegas one of the world’s top trade show destinations. Flangas has worked with some of the industry’s largest shows,…
Offshore Technology Conference Hosts Nearly 25,000 Attendees in 2026 and Plans New Three-Day Format in 2027
HOUSTON — On May 4-7, 2026, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) welcomed nearly 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries to NRG Park for an exploration of the technologies pushing the frontiers of offshore energy developments. It featured nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies. By the Numbers…
New Freeman Trends Report Reveals a Missing Value Proposition Around Attendee Objectives
DALLAS — Freeman recently released its Trends Report: What’s Keeping Audiences Away, outlining the way non-attendees evaluate and value events to help organizers understand where they can enhance marketing efforts and ultimately win over this group of untapped professionals. Unlike prior Freeman…
Know Before You Go: ECA Legislative Action Day 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 28, 2026, leaders from the U.S. events industry will head to Capitol Hill for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s (ECA) Legislative Action Day (LAD). Once again, this year’s LAD will be its largest ever. “ECA LAD is our industry’s Super Bowl in Washington, D.C.,”…
Are General Sessions Losing Their Voice?
CHICAGO — The lights dim, the crowd hushes and a big-name speaker strides onto the stage. Then, he phones it in with a polished, generic talk he’s delivered a dozen times before. By the time the applause fades, half the audience is mentally checked out and the other half has already left and is on…