Julia Smith
Julia Smith, CEM, is senior vice president, national sales at GES (http://www.ges.com/US/home), where she has been collaborating with exhibition clients for more than 23 years.
Resolving to be Less Resolute
January 26, 2012
Now that we’re nearly a month into the New Year, I’ve had the chance to test my resolve in living by my resolutions. Our industry makes having a healthy lifestyle challenging, but I'm ever-optimistic that I can achieve a good work/life balance. How am I doing so far?
Resolution 1: Get more sleep. Study after study says that it’s important for everything from health to weight control to mental acuity (not to mention keeping down my purchase of under-eye concealer). With two DVRs, I can no longer use my favorite 10 P.M. shows as an excuse. How am I doing? Not so well ... The days just aren't long enough for everything I want to do.I wrote this on a return leg of a trip, which amounted to 22 hours total at my destination, only five of them asleep. Grade: C
Resolution 2: Keep exercising. My grade here is better, but the 5:45 a.m. alarm to make it to the gym is contributing to my failure at Resolution 1. Grade: B + (To be re-evaluated after a month or two back into my travel frenzy).
Resolution 3: Live in the moment more. I can live a little too much in my head when I’m multi-tasking, yet I am keenly aware that life is flying by. Not to get too Oprah here, but I’m making an effort to really focus on people (like my very patient husband) and smell those proverbial roses. In fact, I actually just had a conversation with passenger 6A beside me, while we were powering down our iPhones, BlackBerries and iPads for takeoff! Grade: A-
Resolution 4: Stick to my diet, sort of. This is definitely in the over-sharing category, but I’ve put on and taken off the same 25 or 30 lbs probably eight times in my adult life. Traveling and entertaining (and all the challenges in resolutions 1 and 2) haven’t always been my friends in this fight. I've been doing well for a few months, but got a rare upgrade to first class tonight, and there was that sundae. Grade: B
Resolution 5: Read more books. I've always been an avid reader, but trying to keep up with work deadlines, sleep (see 1), exercise (see 2), living in the moment (see 3), spending time with family and friends, riding my horses, etc., have kept that stack of unread books dusty. However, I’m a big fan of audio books, which help with freeway commutes. I also travel with at least one electronic device for reading matter and so far on this trip I have finished two books and three magazines. Grade: A
All this do-gooding is making me tired (see 1), so I'm adding a Resolution 3.1 to lighten up and have more fun. After all, I can work off that sundae (4) tomorrow morning (3), even if it means a short night (1). See what I mean about living in my head a little too much?
Did you make any resolutions this year? I'd love to hear how you’re doing. Share them on our GES Facebook wall or e-mail me at JSmith@ges.com.
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.
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