May 12, 2020
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has appointed Gregg Caren to the position of president and CEO.
Caren most recently served as the executive vice president of sales and strategic business development for ASM Global (formerly SMG), operator of more than 350 venues worldwide.
He also served in various senior leadership positions while with SMG for 20-plus years. Caren has more than three decades of industry experience and will join the PHLCVB on June 8.
“Gregg brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership from many facets of our industry, including prior sales, marketing and… more
May 11, 2020
With many events pivoting to virtual right now, event planners are working overtime to make sure their digital event programming is packed with premium educational content. But what about those valuable extras that attendees come to an event to experience, such as high-profile speakers and entertainers? As with live events, quality keynote presentations can help transform virtual events into unforgettable experiences, too. However, working with speakers for a digital event is, in some ways, different than a live talk on stage.
TSNN talked with two speakers’ bureau executives – Corey Shapoff… more
May 11, 2020
Just over a week after announcing the creation of the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force, the Events Industry Council has released a full list of task force members.
Chair Paul Van Deventer said the EIC is seeing a number of industry-wide efforts focused on developing standards to ensure the safety and wellness of attendees and protocols essential to reinforce attendee confidence in attending live business events.
“The work of this task force is crucial to curate those efforts and present them in a comprehensive way that translates into practical solutions for professionals across… more
May 08, 2020
There have been several recent big steps taken that give an indication of a path forward here in the United States for the trade show industry to start up again soon.
Amongst the many initiatives, big hotel brands such as Hilton outlined new cleanliness standards and ISSA’s GBAC STAR accreditation program for venues to fight COVID-19 was released.
Overseas, the news is even more encouraging, with governments in both Germany and China paving the way for trade shows to open.
In addition, UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry released guidance on re-opening trade shows and… more
May 07, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, unveiled its GBAC STAR facility accreditation program on cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.
GBAC STAR is an outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation. The program establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures, and systems to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Three of the biggest convention centers in the United States – the Las Vegas… more
May 05, 2020
While this year’s IMEX flagship Frankfurt event was canceled back in March, members of the IMEX community will still have opportunities to come together virtually over the next several months. The virtual PlanetIMEX platform aims to keep the spirit of IMEX alive by allowing visitors to explore content, reconnect, talk about future business and continue learning in the company of friends and colleagues.
Designed in collaboration with Cvent, PlanetIMEX will feature three 3-D, interactive “islands” as destinations within the platform. Each island will have its own theme (community, education… more
May 04, 2020
Taking a big step to chart a course forward, the U.S. travel industry submitted to the White House and governors a document containing detailed guidance for travel-related businesses to help keep their customers and employees safe as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entitled "Travel in the New Normal," the document describes vigorous measures the travel industry will follow to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and help to communicate across each and every step of a traveler's journey.
The goal: to allow travel to safely resume as states and municipalities relax physical distancing… more
May 04, 2020
As much as we’re all hungering for good news right now, the staggering numbers reporting the severity of the COVID-19 crisis for the hotel industry can’t be spun in a positive light.
New data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows that 70 percent of hotel employees have been laid off or furloughed, as eight in 10 hotel rooms across the country remain empty. This puts the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry at nine times worse than 9/11, with forecasted occupancy rates for this year hitting record lows worse than rates from 1993 during the Great Depression.
“The human… more
Apr 30, 2020
Depending on what U.S. state we live in, many of us are still sitting out the pandemic in the safety of our homes. While this is an unnatural predicament for our social species, it’s nice to know that we’re not alone in all this uncertainty.
We talked to five trade show industry leaders to see how they’re coping with the “new normal,” including Leonard Hoops, CEO of Visit Indy; Megan Tanel, senior vice president, construction sector for AEM; Aaron Bludworth, president and CEO of Fern Exposition & Event Services; Cathy Breden, executive vice president and COO of IAEE and CEO of the CEIR… more
Apr 29, 2020
During its April 22 webinar, “Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis Landscape,” the Center for Exhibition Industry Research provided a sobering yet hopeful glimpse into what the trade show industry’s recovery could look like post-COVID-19. CEIR officials shared industry insights from the results of a recent industry poll, while Allen Shaw, Ph.D., chief economist with Global Economic Consulting Associates, provided an update about the industry’s anticipated recovery from the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the U.S. business-to-business exhibition industry,” said Cathy Breden, CEO… 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.