SISO Brings Out CEOs
Annual high-level summit to take place next week at Lake Las Vegas resort
By Heidi Genoist -- Tradeshow Week, 4/4/2005
With the merger and acquisition scene heating up, participants are expecting a momentous CEO Summit this April 10–13 at the Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas, Nev.
Chris Meyer, senior director of convention center sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, said, "We're looking forward to a record-setting SISO as far as registration is concerned — and the huge amount of M&A activity culminating in Las Vegas."
At press time, 130 show organizers were signed up to attend the annual gathering, produced by the Society of Independent Show Organizers. Among them are representatives of merchant bank Veronis Suhler Stevenson, private investors Blantyre Partners and MCF & Associates, and corporate transaction law firm Jenner & Block.
The strong showing by the investment banking community should come as little surprise. Because of its strict entrance requirements allowing only decision-makers to attend, the CEO Summit has a reputation as a place where deals are sealed.
And now is deal-making time. According to Jordan Edmiston Group Inc., meeting and exhibition activity picked up in 2004. The firm predicts another jump in 2005.
Corporate M&A won't be the only thing on the agenda. Coming off a joint meeting March 1 to discuss some kind of partnership between SISO and the Intl. Assn. for Exhibition Management, SISO representatives will make a presentation to their board at the Lake Las Vegas meeting.
