Ricardo Ortiz
Ricardo Ortiz has more than two decades of experience in the events industry with Shepard Exposition Services and currently serves as the Vice President of Sales for ShepardAV.
Rich Vallaster
Rich Vallaster serves as the Director of Professional services at a2z Inc., where he mentors and coaches a diverse team of talented professionals, as well as actively manages strategic accounts and ensures client success. Rich has worked on both sides of the “booth,” from co-founding an annual conference and trade show to speaking and exhibiting at over a dozen shows a year.
Texworld USA Winter Edition Stays on Trend with New Features
Ready to source fabric and network with industry peers, buyers flooded into Texworld USA Winter 2018 edition in record numbers. Held Jan. 22-24 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City and organized by Messe Frankfurt, the sourcing event for apparel fabric buyers, research and product development specialists, designers, merchandisers and overseas sourcing professionals takes place biannually in the Big Apple in January and July.
Collocated Apparel Sourcing USA, Texworld USA hosted 4,500 attendees, 371 exhibitors and covered 47,000 net square feet.
ITB China Partners with China Tourism Academy
ITB China, a B2B annual travel trade show in China, has announced plans to partner with China Tourism Academy (CTA) in order to develop business and raise global awareness of opportunities in the Chinese tourism sector.
CTA is a research institution under the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) focusing on tourism industry studies. It is also CTA’s mission to promote developments in the Chinese tourism industry as well as international exchanges.
FOODEX to Introduce ProWein in Japan
International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, announced plans to cooperate with FOODEX’s organiser, Japan Management Association, to introduce the ProWein & Champagne Lounge at the upcoming edition of FOODEX.
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.