News
Jun 14, 2019
Two veteran trade show industry leaders have been appointed to an expanded executive leadership team at Winsight, a B2B information company serving the restaurant and noncommercial foodservice, convenience and petroleum retailing and grocery industries.
Mary Pat Heftman has been promoted to vice chairman and Tom Cindric has been tapped to be the new president of Winsight Exhibitions.
“We have aggressive growth goals for the Show, and to achieve those targets, we’re doubling down on talent at the top,” said Mike Wood, CEO of Winsight. “The team has done phenomenal work and much of that… more
Jun 13, 2019
Event technology giant Cvent has once again expanded its reach, this time through the acquisition of San Francisco-based mobile app provider DoubleDutch. Over the past decade, Cvent has grown its portfolio and technology base through acquisitions of companies including Social Tables, Passkey and Kapow along with merging with Lanyon.
Cvent officials say that the company’s acquisition of DoubleDutch expands its commitment to the onsite experience, helping it accelerate its investment in mobile event technology. Cvent’s mobile and web application portfolio already includes CrowdCompass and … more
Jun 12, 2019
GreenTech, a global platform for the horticulture industry currently taking place this week in Amsterdam, has announced it will launch GreenTech Americas in partnership with Tarsus Mexico and RAI Amsterdam. The new event will take place March 24-26, 2020, in Querétaro, Mexico, the heartland for agriculture production in the country.
“Protected horticulture is the fastest growing area for agriculture production in Mexico,” says Paul St. Amour, vice president Latin America for Tarsus Mexico. “The growers have a desire to upgrade their production processes with better greenhouse technology,… more
Jun 12, 2019
Event marketers are used to seeing a lot of buzz onsite at their events. Between messaging pushed out by the host organization itself, social media sharing and media coverage, an event is a hive of marketing activity. But what’s often lacking, says Rachel Stephan, chief snöballer at snöball, is the authentic voice that comes from the people who are actually experiencing the event — the attendees, speakers, partners and exhibitors.
That’s the idea behind snöball, a digital tool that helps event organizers harness the power of influencer marketing and put it to use at their events: to provide… more
Jun 12, 2019
Just in time for Global Exhibitions Day on June 6, UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – launched a new report and online database designed to track global exhibitions industry sustainability initiatives and projects in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Initiated by UFI’s working group on sustainability and put together in collaboration with sustainability consulting and research firm Greenview, this first-of-its-kind resource showcases the environmental efforts of global event organizers, venues and service providers while inspiring… more
Jun 11, 2019
Adding a page to the comeback story of Puerto Rico, Connect announced it has selected the destination as host of Connect 2021.
Formerly known as Collinson Media & Events (and also now owned by Corporate Event News’ parent company, Tarsus Group), Connect is known for its national marketplace-style shows for meeting planners in the corporate, sports, diversity, association and faith sectors.
Connect 2021 is expected to bring 3,500 planners, suppliers and other industry leaders to Puerto Rico for face-to-face meetings, education, networking and its signature lively receptions.
“We are… more
Jun 10, 2019
Exhibitions industry professionals around the world celebrated the fourth annual Global Exhibitions Day last week, June 5. From Australia to South Africa, the celebration was driven and supported by more than 40 partner associations in 90 countries and regions.
“GED is a perfect symbol for our industry — it’s a huge success that is based on teamwork, trust, and collaboration,” said UFI President Craig Newman. “It is great to see everyone working in this industry getting involved and coming up with a range of interesting and unusual activities to promote exhibitions.”
A wide range of… more
Jun 10, 2019
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research reported that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the first quarter of 2019.
The CEIR Total Index, a measure of exhibition industry performance, posted a decent year-over-year gain of 1.8 percent, even though it under-performed the inflation-adjusted GDP.
“The performance during the first quarter shows the resilience of the exhibition industry despite a government shutdown through most of January and uncertainties surrounding trade negotiations with China and slowing world economic growth,” said CEIR Economist Allen… more
Jun 06, 2019
At the 2019 Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum, which took place May 29 in Washington, D.C., 220 association and for-profit industry executives not only had the chance to take advantage of information-sharing sessions and networking opportunities, but also got hands-on access to some revolutionary customer service technology.
Available 24/7 worldwide to answer any ECEF-related questions via SMS text, Sciensio’s Artificial Intelligence-driven EventBot went live on May 21 and provided attendees and exhibitors with 260 hours of real-time support before and during the event.
“ECEF… more
Jun 06, 2019
A new state-of-the-art exhibition space is taking shape in Downtown Las Vegas. Earlier this year, International Market Centers, owners and operators of World Market Center Las Vegas, broke ground in January on The Expo, a $90 million, 315,000-sq.-ft. facility set to open in July 2020.
Upon completion, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas will become the new permanent venue for temporary gift and home décor exhibits at IMC’s semi-annual Las Vegas Market. That event showcases more than 4,000 gift, home décor and furniture resources across 5 million square feet of permanent showrooms and… 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.