Winter Storm Stella Prompts Trade Shows Up and Down East Coast to Cancel, Close Early
March 14, 2017
With Winter Storm Stella bearing down on the East Coast and the brunt of it striking today, trade shows up and down the East Coast from Atlantic City to New York City canceled or closed early.
On Monday, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency with parts of the state, as well as seven other ones, predicting blizzard conditions and more than 18 inches of snow.
"In preparation for blizzard-like conditions, I will be activating the State Emergency Operations Center and have directed state agencies to continue proactively preparing communities and roadways for this major storm," Governor Cuomo said before the storm moved in.
He added, "We remain in constant contact with local officials in every region, as New York prepares to aggressively clear roads, provide personnel and storm equipment as needed, and offer immediate assistance to communities across the state. I strongly urge everyone to limit unnecessary travel on Tuesday, and if you must drive, please plan ahead, be careful and stay safe."
Schneider Publishing’s Meetings Quest event, scheduled this week in Atlantic City, decided to postpone its event until June 28-29.
“No meeting planner ever wants to postpone an event,” said Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing, which publishes Association News and organizes Meetings Quest.
He added, “But thanks to our great partners at Meet AC and the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, we have been able to reschedule Meetings Quest within a few hours of deciding to postpone it. We look forward to offering our attendees the chance to experience what makes Atlantic City such an outstanding destination for meetings and conventions. Chief among those things are a world-class convention bureau and venues that truly understand the meetings industry.”
Even though the storm was downgraded in New York City to be 4-8 inches, several shows at Javits Center were impacted by the storm; JA New York, International Esthetics Cosmetics Spa Show, International Beauty Show, and MJSA Expo closed on March 13, instead of the scheduled March 14.
Event producers for Inside 3-D Printing have changed their show days to March 15-16. Show days for New York Build Expo will remain the same, also March 15-16.
The Shape America Convention and Expo, on tap March 14-18 at the John B. Hynes Convention Center in downtown Boston, was going on as scheduled, according to the show’s web site.
“At this time, there is no change in the schedule of events; however, we understand that there is uncertainty about travel during this difficult time. Member safety is SHAPE America’s top priority. Each individual must decide for themselves whether conditions are safe for travel,” the site read.
There were no scheduled events at the Connecticut Convention Center and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, both of which are in the path of the storm.
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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