News
Aug 21, 2020
New appointments, promotions and awards have kept leading industry names in the news this summer, despite the ongoing pandemic continuing to make deep impacts on events. Take a look at some positive news:
Susan Schwartz was named IAEE’s 2020 Legend of the Industry on Aug. 7. Each year, this award is selected from IAEE members who’ve made remarkable contributions in innovation and leadership. Schwartz is managing director and co-founder of ConvExx, an independent exhibition management company in Henderson, Nevada.
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) named Dave Hilfman the organization’… more
Aug 20, 2020
To help exhibitions and events professionals return to the face-to-face business environment safely and effectively, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events has partnered with global cleaning industry association ISSA on a Global Biorisk Advisory Council technician training course. Designed to teach participants how to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards in the workplace, the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles teaches the principles behind infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreak… more
Aug 19, 2020
Thanks to strong health and safety measures and a new touchless registration system to protect event participants, more than 95 percent of permanent showrooms will be open for business during the August Market events at Dallas Market Center. This 5-million-square-foot wholesale marketplace for retailers and interior designers is located near downtown Dallas.
More than 800 permanent showrooms and 450 temporary spaces will be open during the Total Home & Gift Market, set for Aug. 19-25; and the Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld and the Western & English Market, all three of… more
Aug 18, 2020
IBTM Americas' virtual summit will take place Aug. 25-26. The interactive digital experience will be hosted on the Go To Webcast platform and will bring together 16 speakers to share topical insights and learnings that will provide tangible benefits for attendees, all under the theme of “humanizing the change."
The complimentary virtual summit will be run in both Spanish and English to allow for the global reach of the IBTM Americas audience, and will cover subject matters including event finance, sustainable events, event planning, innovation and creativity, marketing and branding, event… more
Aug 18, 2020
On Aug. 10, the ASAE Research Foundation released the results of its multi-year Centennial Research Initiative, “Impact Every Day” to coincide with the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition.
A sample of the findings show survey respondents overwhelmingly agree that associations have enabled them to contribute to society in their respective fields. Additionally, their expectations for associations to assist in shaping future industry progress and productivity is extremely high. Finally, interviews with external stakeholders revealed a perception that the largest contributions of… more
Aug 17, 2020
As part of a broader marketing effort designed to attract business, convention and leisure travelers to the city, VISIT Milwaukee has unveiled an immersive video series and two 30-second commercials designed to showcase the city and celebrate its citizens. Released on Aug. 13 and 14, the virtual and commercial video projects come on the heels of the announcement that the 2020 Democratic National Convention, originally set for Aug. 17-20 at Wisconsin Center, will be taking place virtually.
The four-day event, which was expected to bring approximately 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee, will remain… more
Aug 14, 2020
The results are in: Registration reached an all-time high for the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition, with the most registrants ever in the organization’s 100-year history. Held Aug. 10-12, the online event registered 14,108 association professionals, consultants and industry partners, 71 percent of which were first-time attendees. The event’s final attendance breakdown included 12,813 executives; 544 exhibitors; 207 industry partners; 433 consultants and 111 others including press, vendors and staff. The ratio of buyer to sellers was 95 percent to 5 percent, respectively.
The… more
Aug 13, 2020
Thanks to a new partnership with Interprefy, the remote simultaneous interpretation technology and services platform based in Zurich, Singapore-based events technology provider GlobalSign.in will help companies to widen their global audiences for digital events.
This collaboration will allow event organizers planning events, webinars, conferences and meetings on GlobalSign.in's new GEVME Live digital events platform to host those gatherings in multiple languages using the Interprefy platform.
“When launching GEVME Live, we did not simply want to bring physical events into the digital space… more
Aug 13, 2020
PCMA Foundation has launched the Accelerating Reskilling initiative, a massive fundraising campaign designed to help event industry professionals recover, adapt and thrive through the pandemic and beyond.
Launched on Aug. 5, the campaign’s goal is to raise $250,000 by the end of 2020 to provide scholarships for the immediate reskilling of 1,000 event professionals, supplier professionals, young professionals, faculty and current students with the new and updated skill sets they will need for career recovery and success.
“Together as a community, we can bring these educational opportunities… more
Aug 12, 2020
As meeting and event professionals continue to grapple with the impact the pandemic has had on the industry, the Event Leadership Institute has developed a new online certificate course in partnership with MPI to provide planners with strategies, tactics and resources to move forward with modified in-person events and meetings.
The first six-week Pandemic Meeting & Event Design Certificate course begins Sept. 1 and is eligible for 20 CMP hours. Curriculum is jointly designed by ELI’s and MPI’s education experts, experienced event and meeting practitioners and industry-leading instructors… 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.