American Wholesale Market Assoication (AWMA) Summit & Business Exchange

Event contact title
Meetings & Logistics Manager
Event contact first name
Kym
Event contact last name
Selph
Event contact telephone number
800-482-2962, ext. 644
Notes
Please contact event organizer to confirm 2015 dates.
Description

AWMA Summit - The educational program of the AWMA Summit will cover topics that affect all convenience distributors. Topics at past Summits have included tobacco industry analysis, distributor profitability, looks at the U.S. economy and elections, candy sales & profits, foodservice trends, trends in convenience stores, boosting distributor profits and how other distribution companies survive, plus much more.

Exhibitor information
AWMA Business Exchange – One-on-one meetings between distributors and manufacturers/suppliers. Once again, the AWMA Business Exchange (ABX) will follow the AWMA Summit program on Tuesday morning. AWMA introduced the ABX meetings at the 2004 AWMA Summit & Business Exchange in New Orleans. Both distributors and manufacturer/suppliers alike appreciate the opportunity to meet with top decision-makers in each others companies. The meetings are strategic and about moving the business forward – very different than your typical trade show. Every year the program has grown to include more participants. Manufacturers/suppliers who have participated each year said the cost of their meeting room was well worth it when they considered the number of productive meetings held with their distributor customers. And, distributors come back year after year to participate in one of their favorite events.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.