CHICAGO – Hyatt Regency McCormick Place announced Jan. 17 that the first phase of a multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation has begun. The hotel’s owner, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), will invest approximately $110 million in the construction and furnishings of the hotel, which will be completed in phases.

NEW YORK – Following New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed razing of the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan to replace it with a new 3.8-million-square-foot complex in Queens, polls have shown that 57 percent of New York residents are opposed to the idea.

DENVER – The highest number of buyers ever pre-registered are expected, as Denver prepares for the annual snow sports invasion officially known as the 2012 SIA Snow Show, which hits the Colorado Convention Center Jan. 26-29.

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program at EXHIBITOR2012. To mark the occasion, more than 40 CTSM candidates, the largest graduating class in the program’s history, will be certified in ceremonies sponsored by MC2 (www.mc-2.com), a nationally recognized exhibit and event marketing company.

NEW YORK – The New York International Gift Fair exhibits twice a year, featuring the finest products in the gift and decorative accessories market.

LAS VEGAS – Emser Tile, a premier designer and marketer of floor, wall, counter tile and natural stone is introducing an extensive line of new product offerings at this year's Surfaces Trade Show.

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. – Orbus Exhibit & Display Group announced the addition of over 40 new products to its extensive offering of tradeshow, exhibit and display products. These products appear in the recently-released first edition of the company’s 2012 product catalog, The Exhibitors’ Handbook.

LAS VEGAS – The 2012 International CES closed its doors Jan. 13 after setting records for becoming the largest annual trade show in America.