ASM Global Plans Massive Virtual Job Fair to Address Labor Shortages; Ramp Up for Return of In-Person Events
February 11, 2022
As the industry continues to emerge from the pandemic and increasingly hold in-person gatherings, ASM Global, featuring the largest portfolio of convention centers, arenas, stadiums and theaters in the world, will hold an ambitious, three-day virtual job fair to hire 1,000 employees at 100 of its venues.
The international, collaborative event, titled ASM Presents: The Next Great Opportunity, will take place online Feb. 15-17, with representation from venues in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.
Aimed at addressing the global staffing shortages that have challenged the industry, ASM leadership hopes that the unique global search will surface diverse talent, expand the company’s reach within its local communities and herald the full return to live, in-person experiences.
"The intention of the job fair is to find the world’s best talent in a far-reaching range of jobs, to ramp up for the return of live performances and other entertainment at our venues, and to secure the finest staff possible for the trade show, exhibition and convention business space,” said ASM Global CEO and President Ron Bension. “All of these categories are returning rapidly, and as the industry leader, we need to be fully prepared."
The Excitement of Live Connections
The return to live experiences is just what the world needs after coping through two years of the pandemic, according to Bension.
“There’s a thrill, an excitement that makes this business feel communal for everyone involved,” he said. “Our hope is that ASM Global Presents: The Next Great Opportunity helps ignite that excitement.”
Boosting and diversifying its team will help ASM to further deliver the “wow” experiences expected by event professionals and companies, Bension added.
“ASM’s goal is to prepare to perform at the highest level to provide the world-class experiences expected at the world’s most famous venues that comprise our portfolio,” he said.
During the bulk of the pandemic, ASM continued to up its game to go above and beyond expectations by signing new partnerships in a variety of spaces and continually innovating in areas such as technology, food, safety and content, according to Bension.
“We’re innovating 24/7, and our team is a critical part of that innovation and fundamental to ASM’s success,” he said.
The job fair will enable ASM venues around the world to fill a wide range of roles, from hourly to salaried levels, with highly skilled and diverse candidates. The positions include the areas of operations, business development, finance, food and beverage, catering, human resources, sales, marketing, booking, security, guest services, audiovisual tech and others.
ASM plans to step up special efforts to attract and incentivize new talent through the job fair, according to Bension.
“We’re using every tool in our arsenal to frame and define to potential ASM team members the uniqueness of working for one of the world’s premier entertainment companies,” he said. “These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to work in an environment unlike any other.”
With more than 325 facilities around the world, Bension said ASM is the leading venue management and services company, connecting people through the power of live experience.
The pursuit of excellence and devotion to the communities in which the company operates are two of its defining features, he added.
Interested applicants can access the interactive online ASM job fair here. Opportunities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America are scheduled for Feb. 15 and 16, and opportunities in the United Kingdom and Asia Pacific are scheduled for Feb. 16 and 17.
Participating Venues
Following is a partial list of stadiums, convention centers, theaters and arenas that host over 160 million guests annually and will be participating in the job fair:
- Albuquerque Convention Center
- American Bank Center
- AO Arena, Manchester
- Avenir Centre
- Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre
- Barclays Center
- Bonus Arena
- Bridgewater Hall
- Brookshire Grocery Arena
- Broward County Convention Center
- Buenos Aries Arena
- COX Business Convention Center
- Destination El Paso
- DeVos Performance Hall
- Devos Place
- First Direct Arena
- Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Kai Tak Sports Park
- Kentucky Performing Arts Center
- KFC Yum! Center
- Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum
- Las Cruses Convention Center
- Leon’s Centre
- Long Beach Convention Center
- Lynn Family Stadium
- Mechanics Bank Arena
- Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
- Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center
- NRG Stadium
- Oakland Arena
- Ontario Convention Center
- OVO Arena
- P&J Live
- Pennsylvania Convention Center
- Pensacola Bay Center
- PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay
- Plowright Theatre
- Ring Center
- Shreveport Convention Center
- Sioux Falls Arena
- Stockton Arena
- Target Center
- Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
- The Baths Hall
- The Oncenter
- T-Mobile Center
- Toyota Arena
- Utilita Arena
- Van Andel Arena
Photo: NRG Center, Houston
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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.
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