News

Jun 30, 2021
Like many key aspects of events, food and beverage is having a moment of adaptation as the industry looks to a post-COVID future. For example, buffets aren’t gone completely, but they will look a little different for a while, with health and safety expected to remain a major concern at events for the foreseeable future. But pandemic or no pandemic, F&B remains one of the most discussed aspects of an event, according to Tracy Stuckrath, chief connection officer at Thrive Meetings & Events. She believes that smart planning can help planners turn a complicated event feature into a golden… more
Jun 29, 2021
David Stevens, director of global events and field marketing at Alation, knows a thing or two about planning events. So when Alation was recently evaluating purchasing a booth at a trade show this November in California, his Spidey-sense went off. There were no backup plans should COVID-19 have an unexpected surge or another circumstance forced a cancellation. A digital component was not mentioned because there isn’t one. When he pressed about contingencies, Stevens was told the group would figure it out if they had to. “There’s this arrogance that events are back,” Stevens said. “They are… more
Jun 28, 2021
In response to audience and industry demand, three leading show organizers are gearing up to launch two new trade shows for the food and beverage and the plastics processing industries next year. Take a look! SIAL America Leading global event organizers Comexposium and Emerald have formed a strategic partnership to launch the first large-scale, generalist food show for the $1.5 trillion U.S. food and beverage market: SIAL America. Set to debut March 22-24, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it will co-locate with Emerald’s International Pizza Expo and International Artisan Bakery Expo… more
Jun 27, 2021
There was a time when the most clearly attributable data to track ROI from an event was the revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships. With the advent of virtual events hosted with the help of cutting edge virtual event platforms[1] [2] , measuring the levels of engagement and impact has become easier than ever. But deriving insights from the data still remains a tough challenge. Here are 5 strategic ways to get actionable reporting from your next virtual event: Focus on insights: Understanding of data and analytics needs time. If you haven’t already, help your team upskill by enabling… more
Jun 25, 2021
Organizations far and wide are celebrating Pride Month by showing their support for the LGBT+ community through awareness-raising efforts, fostering more diverse and inclusive cultures and supporting progressive change. But for the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association, Pride is a year-round effort to change minds, hearts and attitudes. As the only organization solely committed to connecting, advancing and empowering the LGBT+ meeting professional community, the LGBT MPA works to represent and uplift LGBT voices, educate the industry on a broad range of topics pertaining to inclusion and… more
Jun 24, 2021
When faced with extraordinary challenges, focus on the things you can control. That’s a lesson that Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, had to apply in the summer of 2020 when the association faced losing more than 70% of its revenue from its canceled trade shows. Instead of going into survival mode, the organization implemented a long-term strategic plan that included doubling down on delivering value to its members while also looking at how it could work and ready itself for recovery. “It is already paying off and reflected in our membership growth, our research relevance, our advocacy… more
Jun 23, 2021
Just because in-person events are returning doesn’t mean technology is going to take a back seat. The past few weeks have been filled with news of mergers, partnerships, innovation and the funding to make it all possible. See how the event tech world is positioning itself for the future of gatherings. MeetingPlay Hybrid technology company MeetingPlay has secured $75 million in funding from Sunstone Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on software and tech-enabled services companies. The move allows for vast expansion of MeetingPlay’s already impressive capabilities.… more
Jun 22, 2021
Peter Eelman, vice president and CXO at AMT — The Association For Manufacturing Technology, strode up to the stage at Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place. “We are coming back,” he said. “Let that soak in for a moment.” While he was specifically referring to the International Manufacturing Technology Show powered by AMT, occurring Sept. 12-17, Eelman may as well have been speaking for Chicago’s trade show industry. Shut for 14 months due to COVID, McCormick Place officials and several returning organizers gathered in May to celebrate the return of business. The event was also a showcase of… more
Jun 21, 2021
Throughout the trade show and related industries, new mergers and acquisitions are being established as organizations position themselves for future growth and success. Take a look at two major deals that happened earlier this month: National Restaurant Association and Winsight On June 1, the National Restaurant Association announced that it has taken a majority stake in Chicago-based Winsight Holdings, LLC, a media, events and information company that connects the restaurant, foodservice, convenience retailing and grocery industries through an extensive portfolio of research, events and… more
Jun 21, 2021
More than 1,200 event professionals gathered at MPI’s World Education Congress at CAESARS FORUM last week, the largest in-person industry event so far this year. While attendance was about half of pre-pandemic levels, the large showing is another shot in the arm for an industry recovering from essentially a lost year of business. A hybrid event, WEC placed an emphasis on safety in bringing together 1,229 people in Las Vegas and attracted another 568 remote attendees. Content reflected the state of the industry, pointing toward ways to hold events responsibly while confronting social issues… 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.