Aug 09, 2018
Detroit's Cobo Center continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability in the events industry by hosting the newly released Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) training for employees and event professionals, set for Sept. 11-12.
To be led by the Events Industry Council, this will be the first training for this certificate program to be offered in the state of Michigan.
Combining active learning and experiential elements, the SEPC program is designed to enable participants to implement their own green events.
Topics will include understanding the business value of… more
Jun 25, 2018
It goes without saying that environmental and social advocates tend to be incredibly passionate people driven by a burning desire to change the world in a positive way. Mariela McIlwraith is such an individual. As the Director of Industry Advancement for the Events Industry Council, this Toronto-based events and sustainability expert leads up the organization’s sustainability committee, which works to create the educational tools and resources needed to move the industry forward in a more environmentally conscious direction.
TSNN enjoyed sitting down with this very dedicated and… more
Jun 25, 2018
Caesars Entertainment Corporation just reinforced its commitment to fight climate change by setting science-based targets to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the company and throughout its supply chain.
Targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered “science-based” if they are in line with the level of de-carbonization required to keep global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial temperatures.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration among CDP (formerly known as the Carbon… more
Jun 25, 2018
Convention centers that are passionate about sustainability and helping their local communities might want to consider following the example of the Metro Toronto Convention Center, which boasts a robust food donation program that partners with events and conferences to reduce food waste by donating leftover food to local organizations dedicated to combatting hunger.
In fiscal year 2017/2018, the Canadian facility contributed more than 90,000 kg (198,416 lbs.) of food – the equivalent in weight to 16 elephants– to Toronto organizations that support individuals in need.
According to MTCC… more
Jun 21, 2018
Healthy Food Expo, a series of trade shows that brings together the leading purveyors of healthy, natural and organic products has partnered with the Green Restaurant Association, which has signed on as a participating organization.
The Healthy Food Expo is set to take place Aug. 19-21 alongside the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and Coffee Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and Sept. 6-8 with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
The event will also debut March 3-5 in New York City, where it will collocate with… more
Jun 15, 2018
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) has rolled out a new initiative to help event planners understand and minimize the environmental impact of their events: client sustainability reports.
According to MCC officials, these customized reports will provide event planners with detailed analysis on energy and water usage, as well as how much material was recycled by each conference, meeting or trade show.
“Limiting our environmental impact is extremely important and our success is interconnected with the groups that hold their events with us,” said Mark Zirbel, director of facility and… more
Apr 16, 2018
If you attend a fair amount of industry conferences, you’ve likely run into Jim Spellos, an incredibly popular and engaging technology speaker whose educational sessions on topics ranging from mobile apps and digital security to VR and other hot technologies have a reputation for packing a room. But besides his love for tech and rock music (he’s an accomplished musician and songwriter, too!), Spellos harbors a lesser-known passion: saving the planet while helping those in need.
As a board member and director of technology for Rock and Wrap It Up!, an anti-poverty think tank dedicated to… more
Apr 16, 2018
It goes without saying that trade shows and events are tough on the environment, producing daunting amounts of waste and carbon emissions every year. According to MeetGreen, the typical conference attendee creates more than four pounds of waste and just under 400 pounds of CO2emissions per day. Multiply that by hundreds or even thousands of attendees and the environmental footprint of a typical event is pretty staggering.
As an event organizer, you know you should do your part to help the planet by taking your events in a more sustainable direction but you’re concerned that going green will… more
Apr 16, 2018
Last year was an especially green one for the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Global Center for Health Innovation, which knocked it out of the ballpark in the areas of waste diversion and recycling.
The facility, which is managed by SMG,succeeded in diverting a grand total of 357,274 pounds of materials from the landfill last year, including 75,880 lbs. of cardboard; 46,440 lbs. of wood pallets; 18,480 lbs. of mixed plastic; 14,780 lbs. of mixed fibers; 10,000 pounds of glass and nearly 9,000 pounds of bulk and shredded paper, sustainable efforts that diverted 49.1 percent… more
Apr 13, 2018
Last year was a pivotal one for Detroit’s Cobo Center and its environmental initiatives, which have been highlighted in its recently released 2017 Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report.
According to Claude Molinari, general manager of Cobo Center, each year the facility’s Green Committee makes great strides in expanding its environmental program, and last year was no exception.
“We were recertified by the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), hosted Sustainable Brands 2017, and made significant strides in our efforts on environmental and social stewardship of the Metro Detroit… 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.