MGM Resorts Makes Generous Contribution to Fight Human Trafficking 

May 15, 2018

As part of its contribution to the campaign to fight the global crime of human trafficking, MGM Resorts International recently awarded $250,000 to the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.

Founded in 2012 and inspired by the public service of Senator John McCain and his family, the nonpartisan think tank will use the gift to fund several initiatives designed to aid the vulnerable population of homeless youth and provide prevention measures. 

“We are so grateful for the support of MGM Resorts International,” said Cindy H. McCain, who serves on McCain Institute’s Human Trafficking Advisory Council. “This contribution allows us to deepen our work to protect our communities’ most at-risk and vulnerable citizens from exploitation and abuse.”

She added, “Partnerships like these take us one step closer to the day when no man, woman or child finds themselves ensnared in modern day slavery.”

Among the initiatives that will be funded include: 

  • A certification program for service providers who work with runaway and homeless youth, a population that is vulnerable to exploitation.
  • Enhanced school-based prevention efforts, including teaching children how to avoid victimization while training educators to identify child trafficking victims. 
  • New multi-disciplinary approaches to eliminate forced labor from global supply chains. 

“Youth homelessness is an urgent problem across our country,” said Kristen L. Abrams, McCain Institute senior program director for combating human trafficking. 

She continued, “These children and teenagers are at great risk for human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. To address this critical need, we are working to better equip those serving runaway and homeless young people so that they can help us prevent and end the exploitation of youth in transition.”

Human trafficking is among the world’s most widespread crimes, according to the International Labour Organization. The U.N. agency’s most recent statistics, measured in 2016, found that an estimated 40.3 million people were trapped in modern slavery, including 24.9 million in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage. 

According to a 2017 report titled Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor and account for 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex industry and 58 percent in other sectors.

The generous donation is another important milestone in MGM Resorts’ anti-human trafficking efforts. In March of this year, The MGM Resorts Foundation donated $10,000 each to three nonprofits – the Embracing Project/The Center 4 Peace, SEEDS of Hope and The Rape Crisis Center – that provide services to victims of human trafficking. 

The gaming and hospitality company is also an active participant in the Southern Nevada Human Trafficking Task Force, a collaboration led by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department among local, state and federal law enforcement and members of the business, non-profit, faith-based and general communities to coordinate anti-trafficking strategies, share best practices and raise awareness about trafficking prevention and detection. 

In addition, MGM Resorts trains its security officers and other customer-facing employees across its properties to identify potential trafficking victims and respond appropriately. 

In 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recognized ARIA Resort and Casino Security Department for its humanistic approach to potential trafficking victims with the Director’s Community Leadership Award, created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs and violence in the U.S. 

Recently, MGM Resorts International affiliate MGM MACAU was named a top 15 global finalist for the Stop Slavery Award by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the news and information provider. 

“As a leader in corporate responsibility, MGM Resorts and the hospitality industry have an important role to play in combating human trafficking,” said Phyllis A. James, chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer for MGM Resorts. 

She continued, “We believe in an interdisciplinary approach to the issue, partnering with law enforcement at all levels, as well as governments, nonprofit social service and other organizations, businesses and communities at large. Our gift to the McCain Institute for research and development of best practices represents another dimension of our efforts.” 

 

Don’t miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn & Instagram! 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.