Louisville Embraces a More Equitable Future With New Hospitality Initiatives

Louisville Tourism, the marketing agency charged with promoting the Kentucky city as a travel destination, has unveiled hospitality industry initiatives designed to address racial imbalances inside and outside the organization while promoting its reputation as an inclusive and welcoming destination. Launched on Sept.

Dana Drissel

Dana Drissel is Vice President of Kaon Interactive, a leader in interactive 3D sales and marketing applications. Under her leadership, the company has experienced substantial growth and has introduced a vast suite of award-winning Kaon solutions, building a fast-growing base of industry-leading fortune 500 customers.

VJ Mayor

VJ Mayor, CAE, joined the Association Services Group team in 2020 as an account executive working with the Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors. Prior to joining ASG, VJ worked for the National Confectioners Association and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association

Daniel Santiago

Daniel Santiago is a contract specialist at ITA Group. With a focus on hotel, DMC and ancillary supplier contracting, he navigates clients through the legal lifecycle of an event, reviewing thousands of contracts annually.

Fernando Gorbarán

Fernando Gorbarán is the President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt Argentina, a role he has served in since 2003. Since 2010, he has also served as Regional Director for South America. He was recently re-elected President of the Argentine Association of Organizers and Suppliers of Exhibitions and Congresses (AOCA) and has been named one of the 15 most influential executives in Latin America by Latinoamérica Meetings Magazine.

Amanda Walker

Amanda Walker is an exhibit designer at Skyline Exhibits & Design in Greenville, SC, where she brings a creative edge to expo booths. Based on her experience, she also gets tasked with other creative endeavors including photography, videography and social media marketing. 

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.