Rachel Wimberly
Rachel Wimberly is Executive Vice President of Business Development at Tarsus Group, US. Follow her on Twitter @TSNN_Rachel.
What Does ChatGPT Mean for the Events Industry?
February 21, 2023
As soon as I heard about ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) – an AI chatbot program from a company called OpenAI that gives detailed answers to questions in a matter of seconds – my interest was instantly piqued.
I first heard about it when a professor was on the news talking about how students were using it to write assignments and how the professor thought it was easy to tell when the students did.
I also heard a recent marketing podcast on which it was debated if and when the chatbot program could take over basic copywriting duties.
The jury definitely still is out on the above, but I thought I would give ChatGPT a simple event planning challenge and see what happened.
I asked the program the following question that it answered in about 5 seconds.
How would you plan an event in a hotel with a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs?
To plan an event in a hotel with a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs, the following steps can be taken:
- Define the objective and budget: The first step is to define the objective of the event and establish a budget. This will help determine the size of the event, the number of attendees, and the type of activities to be included.
- Choose a suitable hotel: Select a hotel that is convenient for the attendees and has enough space for the event. Make sure the hotel has the necessary equipment and technology to support the event, including audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi, and adequate space for product displays.
- Develop a program: Develop a program that includes educational sessions and product demonstrations. Ensure the sessions cover relevant topics for the attendees and provide opportunities for discussion and interaction.
- Arrange product displays: Work with product vendors to arrange product displays, ensuring that they are relevant to the attendees and can be used to earn CEMs.
- Plan social events: Plan social events, such as networking receptions and dinners, to provide opportunities for attendees to interact and build relationships.
- Communicate with attendees: Communicate regularly with attendees, providing them with event details and logistics, including travel and accommodation information.
- Provide CEMs certification: Ensure that the event is accredited for CEMs certification and provide attendees with appropriate certification upon completion of the event.
- Manage the event: Manage the event, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, and that attendees are engaged and satisfied with the experience.
- Collect feedback: Collect feedback from attendees after the event, to determine what worked well and what could be improved in future events.
By following these steps, you can plan a successful event in a hotel for a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs.
Pretty basic and broad – but not too bad!
So, what are some other possible uses for ChatGPT for the events industry?
How about planning a menu? You can ask the program to plan for groups of people and put in any themes, number of courses, type of overall cuisine and any menu restrictions - seconds later – a menu will appear.
Ask it questions about any destinations – like what convention centers would fit an event with 100,000 people? It named a few around the world, including McCormick Place in Chicago.
I asked it how events could be more sustainable and it listed several ideas, such as local sourced food, compostable plates and utensils, choose a sustainable venue, measure carbon emissions and partner with local organizations to promote social responsibility initiatives.
Basically – you can ask ChatGPT just about anything, and while many of the event planning ideas are pretty general for now, as the program gets more sophisticated, it could possibly add some new ideas into your events in the future.
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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