Brian Ross
Brian Ross is President and CEO of Experience Columbus. The Ohio CVB was among the first U.S. destinations to pursue a citywide GBAC STAR accreditation and launch a Live Forward pledge program to streamline partner sanitation efforts.
Christy Bareijsza
Christy Bareijsza, CMP, CMM is the founder and chief experience officer of Events By Red Carpet. A former Vice President of Corporate Events for one of North America’s top financial firms, Bareijsza has vast experience in contract negotiation, international etiquette, conference development and sports management.
Aaron Bartelt
Aaron Bartelt is president of Exhibiteur and host of the Exhibiteur podcast. He has spent over a dozen years in the industry, leading the charge toward excellence in operations for exhibit producers large and small. His focus at exhibiteur is to support the industry through tactical and consulting services, including a white label services division.
Amy Button
Amy Button is a copywriter and content marketing manager for Freeman, the global leader of events. She lives in Texas but attends virtual events all over the globe.
Tech Giants: Intrado President Ben Chodor on the Next Virtual Reality
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It’s noon on a Wednesday (somewhere) when Intrado Digital Media President Ben Chodor jumps on a Zoom call. There is no ballgame to catch, rush hour to beat or train to hop on. Gone are the days of the easy excuses to take a break from work.
Arushi Gupta
Arushi Gupta is a virtual event enthusiast and a product marketer for Hubilo, a virtual event platform with global clients including the UN, Siemens, GITEX, NYU, AWS and Tech In Asia.
Melissa Park
Melissa “Mel” Park is a global event producer who has utilized her engaging personality, unending energy and attention to logistical and design details to build an award-winning business recognized across the U.S. and Australia. She is the creator of the 7 Steps to Event Success! Masterclass, producer and host of The Mel-Factor Podcast; a contributing writer to numerous publications; and a sought-after keynote speaker and panelist.
What Will Be Biden’s Effect on Meetings and Events?
Joe Biden becomes the country’s 46th president at a time when the United States is mired in a pandemic and its related economic challenges. His proposed solutions, and their effectiveness, is surely how the first part of his presidency will be measured.
Brian Scott
Brian Scott, president and founder of ClearTone Consulting, provides executive technology consulting services based on 35 years of technology expertise and 20 years of CIO/CISO experience within the exhibitions and events industry. Brian provides expert technology consultation in the areas of technology strategy, software development, systems integration, data warehousing and analytics, cyber security, data center operations, cloud computing, and end user support. He works with his customers to overcome technology challenges, leverage tech to drive growth and revenue, secure valuable digital assets, and execute projects to meet the organizational objectives.
Mason Harris
Mason Harris is a contributing writer, keynote speaker and author of The Chutzpah Advantage, which will be available in February 2021. He can be reached via email at [email protected], or on LinkedIn.
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.