News
Feb 10, 2022
As the trade show and events industry continues its steady pace along the road to recovery, event-related organizations far and wide are forming new strategic partnerships and extending existing contracts at a rapid pace—take a look!
Cadmium
Cadmium, a leading provider of event and learning technology specializing in continuing educational, professional development and content management solutions, has partnered with systems integration and event staging solutions provider IMS Technology Services to simplify the vendor selection process for event planners. The partnership unites event… more
Feb 10, 2022
Membership renewal is mission-critical to healthy and sustainable growth for associations. But the pandemic and its impact have created new challenges for associations of all sizes.
According to the 2021 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report, 47% of associations reported declines in total membership, while 50% have reported that members are most likely not to renew because of a lack of engagement. Enabling meaningful engagement in an increasingly virtual and distraction-laden world is quite a challenge!
Here are some actionable tips to ensure a member-centric engagement plan for 2022… more
Feb 09, 2022
By the close of the Winter 2022 Atlanta Market, exhibiting brands were touting shattered sales records as attendees demonstrated their buying power, eagerly sourcing new brands, products and trends across the bustling event. Held Jan. 11-18 at AmericasMart Atlanta, the country’s leading gift, décor and lifestyle market proved to be a veritable epicenter of buying activity, hosting retailers and designers from all 50 states and 39 countries.
“Based on the reports of record-breaking sales and growth in order size, it appears that buyers found what they were looking for [at Atlanta Market]—and… more
Feb 08, 2022
Caesars Entertainment is gearing up to bring a renowned casino brand to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip this year. Starting this spring, Bally’s Las Vegas will begin its transformation into Horseshoe Las Vegas, an iconic, historic brand originally created by gambling magnate Benny Binion more than 70 years ago.
The multimillion-dollar project, which will take place in stages, will include a renovated exterior, new entertainment and food and beverage options and a reimagined casino floor and public areas. In keeping with the classic sophistication the Horseshoe brand is known for, the… more
Feb 07, 2022
A slew of promotions, as well as new hires and some executive retirements, continue as the trade show industry forges ahead toward recovery. Check out all the recent appointments and transitions happening at event-related organizations throughout the U.S. and beyond.
SEMA
After more than three decades of service, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) President and CEO Chris Kersting has retired.
Kersting joined SEMA in 1996 to lead the organization’s Washington, D.C, office as vice president of legislative and technical affairs, later taking the helm as SEMA’s CEO in 2002 and… more
Feb 03, 2022
Event Farm, a MemberSuite company and leading provider of event engagement and safety solutions, announced four new partnerships to expand its event safety offerings and provide event organizers with COVID-19 testing solutions to meet event entry requirements.
The new partnerships with Azova Health, EverlyWell, Prevent System and Qured are in addition to the CLEAR Health Pass and Event Farm partnership that was announced in June 2021 and accelerated Event Farm’s Safety Toolkit, a suite of purposely built applications to keep event staff and attendees safe at in-person events. With CLEAR… more
Feb 02, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) and Lippman Connects, producer of information-sharing and networking experiences for the convention and exhibition industry, have teamed up to continue fostering professionalism among event organizers.
Under the agreement, TSNN will be the exclusive media partner for Lippman Connects Roundtables, a series of eight events in several U.S. locations throughout 2022 that will focus on attendee acquisition, exhibit sales and large shows. TSNN will raise industry awareness of the roundtables, provide readers with discounts to attend, offer on-site insights and… more
Feb 02, 2022
Clearco, the world's largest e-commerce investor and the company revolutionizing the way founders grow their businesses, today announced the launch of an extended partnership with FounderMade, a Tarsus company. This revised partnership includes the launch of a new $20M fund which will help provide equity-free capital and financial tools to grow and scale D2C and e-commerce businesses in the FounderMade ecosystem.
As part of this newly revised partnership, Clearco will launch FounderU—the first-ever D2C business training program designed specifically for high-growth entrepreneurs in the… more
Feb 01, 2022
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees now have a calming and comforting space to retreat to and regroup when feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated while attending events at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) in Overland Park, Kan.
As the first convention center in the world to offer a dedicated space for attendees with autism, anxiety, dementia, PTSD or other similar conditions, the OPCC created its sensory-inclusive room in partnership with KultureCity, a leading national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs,… more
Jan 31, 2022
Following a pause in plans due to the pandemic, the Fort Worth City Council recently approved $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the first phase of a planned expansion of the city-owned Forth Worth Convention Center (FWCC).
The downtown facility’s $500 million expansion, which had been in the planning stages for several years to attract and accommodate larger trade shows and meetings, was about to begin with robust funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020, according to city officials.
“We had our first meeting with… more
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.