Patrick Carlson
Patrick Carlson has been with Core-apps since 2015, having previously worked in event planning and marketing for the Council of the Great Lakes Region, Great River Creative and in government
Networking Events are Key Socially and Professionally
July 7, 2016
I am a serial networker, and I am guessing you have heard this before from many others, but in my case, it is absolutely true.
Networking has been a staple of business development since the dawn of time, and it has been covered extensively in a good number of articles, blog posts and talk shows.
Many of us have different approaches when it comes to expanding our web – be it for business or personal use. There’s a myriad of choices on how to approach networking; no wonder there’s a new blog post or web article published about it in what seems like a daily basis!
Recently, I was at a regular networking event when I started to think about all the different approaches we make to widen our reach. I considered how much value I place on the ability to network. Networking events are key socially and professionally – after all, it is okay to have friends in our business!
Everyone has ideas on what to do after a networking event but what should you do when you are actually there? When I hit up a networking event, I have a few basic rules:
· Treat the event as you would any work-related conversation. You should not walk into a networking event without doing some research on who is your host and who the other guests are.
· Keep in mind that just because people are there for the social component of the day (especially true for those of us who work from home), that does not mean you should be unprepared to talk shop. Have your elevator pitch ready for the one or two times that you’ll need it!
· Show up alone, but if you already know people in the event, make an effort to meet someone new within the first few minutes of being there. Nobody likes to be outside his or her own comfort zone – that is why it is called the comfort zone – however, that is not why you went out tonight! Spending the entire evening with the few people you have met before is called hanging out with friends. You didn’t need to put on your best REI khakis and closed-toed shoes for that!
· Most importantly, have fun! Networking is part of our job. Whether you are a vendor or show organizer, everyone at the event has an agenda so simply set that fact aside and walk away happy.
Networking is the ultimate long game – it takes time to cultivate a relationship and heading to these events is only buying the seed, not even planting it yet! Practice the tips above and watch your networking skills improve.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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