Experts & Opinions
Jan 31, 2014
One of the top three reasons people attend conferences and trade shows is to network. People want to get together with their peers and exchange ideas, make connections, find help, and sometimes even find a new job.
Organizers tend to see this networking need as fulfilled just because they bring thousands of people together in one place. They stick attendees in a convention center or hotel and say, “There you go, now network.”
The problem is even if you consider yourself an expert networker, it’s hard to find the right people to spark up conversations that help you achieve… more
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Jan 31, 2014
More than 108 million people tuned in to last year’s Super Bowl. With so many eyes on the big event, careful planning of each and every detail begins years in advance. This year’s game is going to be great.
The commercials will be extraordinary, the teams are talented, and for the first time ever, the Super Bowl is being played in an outdoor stadium. Sunday’s forecast calls for frigid temperatures and we all know with complicated weather comes every event planner’s nightmare… and the need for a good back up plan.
If plan B must be used, then so be it, the best… more
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Jan 28, 2014
Later this week, Super Bowl XLVIII will be played for the first time in a cold-weather outdoor location. There is a lot of speculation about the prep needed for the players, the stadium, and the half-time show given the chance for cold and snow.
Even if you aren’t a sports fan and just watch for the commercials or the halftime show, in reality the Super Bowl is just like any other corporate event we plan. And there are insights into event trends to be learned.
Reaching a Bigger Audience
The cheapest Super Bowl ticket has a face value of $500, reaching all the way up to over $1M for a… more
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Jan 25, 2014
Do you and your employees dread working at trade shows? You are not the only ones that feel this way, since there is no doubt that working a trade show event can be tiring and draining both physically and mentally.
Chances are your staff does not know what to expect and may feel out of their element. Tradeshows require long days mixed with lots of small talk with anyone and everyone. You want your team to stay upbeat, positive, and on their toes throughout the event to ensure you are getting the best ROI but just how will you or your team stay that way?
Consider the… more
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Jan 25, 2014
I recently read some interesting data on Statistics Brain about New Year’s Resolutions. By one month, almost half have failed their resolution, and only 8 percent actually maintain and achieve their resolution.
I am going to give you a new one, whether or not you have made a resolution (and nearly 40 percent of us don’t even bother with one): align your promotional item with your event marketing strategy in 2014.
Now, you may wonder why I am asking you to do this. How about for these reasons:
Your promotional item is often the first thing, and always the… more
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Jan 18, 2014
I’m not a fan of resolutions … Why? I never keep them! Each year, I type a list and hang it in places I’ll have to look at every day. It’s very motivating for the first few months until my resolutions become a daily reminder of how I can never keep them … And they get ripped down.
This year, I decided to forget accomplishing XYZ by the end of 2014; why not just set goals that I want to meet? Realistic goals satisfy my competitive nature and eliminate the hovering resolution cloud that haunts me and makes me feel defeated.
Personally, a few of my goals for the… more
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Jan 10, 2014
Every year, one of the industry meetings I really look forward to going to is the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders annual event, which runs Jan. 11-14 this week in Boston.
There are several reasons why I am REALLY excited about this year’s event:
1. It’s in Boston. I absolutely LOVE Boston, and I haven’t been there in a few years. It’s a fantastic city in every way, but I especially love the people, history and Boston has some great convention center venues and hotels.
2. … more
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Jan 04, 2014
Let’s face it. In our personal lives our significant others appreciate the flowers or the small token we deliver because it signals we were thinking of them and took time to act on that thought in a kind, loving way. It’s the time and effort they usually appreciate most.
Ken Robinson wrote in his great book, “The Element,” “We need to challenge what we take for granted about our abilities and the abilities of other people. This isn’t as easy as one might imagine. Part of the problem with identifying the things we take for granted is that we don’t… more
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Jan 01, 2014
Michael Douglas, business development director, GenieConnect - an event participation solutions provider for the events industry - has released his top 10 predictions for the event technology industry in 2014.
1. Organizers will seek integrated solutions - As technology becomes more prominent within the event industry, customers will have higher expectations of the services that their suppliers provide, and seek integrated solutions for registration, online mapping, mobile apps and audience response.
2. Windows Phone will be the heir to BlackBerry - While many consumers… more
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Dec 27, 2013
You invest a lot in the trade shows that you exhibit at. How much? At 36% of the average trade show budget, booth space costs are your single largest expense. Plus, your choice of shows affects the rest of your entire trade show budget.
So which trade shows are worth your marketing investment?
Here are 13 signs it’s time to stop exhibiting at a trade show and ply your business down different carpeted aisles:
1. The Wrong Attendees: If your buyers are not walking a show, then why exhibit there? The top reason exhibitors back out of a show, or take a smaller booth size, is because they… more
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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.