Experts & Opinions
Feb 02, 2013
In a previous blog post, I shared how I helped my clients at the American College Health Association incorporate wellness into their events by providing healthier food options.
While that was a great start, we wanted to take the wellness program even further. A little creativity was in order, but when it was all said and done, the end results turned out to be more successful than we imagined.
After the menus were adjusted, the second part of wellness was to get people up and moving. Of course, we didn’t want to take away time from all the sessions, as education was the focus of the… more
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Jan 26, 2013
When you’re shopping for your next trade show display, it’s all too easy to focus just on the price. After all, price is easy to judge – whoever costs the least, wins.
And yet, price is not the same as value. When you buy based on value, you find that spending a little more money may get you a lot more value in return.
So here are 10 other criteria beyond price that experienced exhibit buyers know to look for.
Let’s start with the display:
1. Quality: Be careful about buying a disposable display online, only to last for a show or two. A… more
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Jan 26, 2013
This is the final part of a six-part series on WiFi at events. The last “C” is all about exercising your freedom of choice, putting the free market to work to ensure you receive the highest quality network for your event at the most competitive price.
“I thought my only option was to use the venue’s in-house network” is something we hear far too often. Regardless of the default Internet “exclusivity” clause in your venue contract and event organizer “conventional wisdom”, the FCC’s Telecommunications Act of 1996 protects your freedom… more
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Jan 16, 2013
Hybrid Meetings are here to stay!
There has been a lot of discussion, and worry, about how online content would impact the meetings industry. When the internet first exploded on the scene there were those who predicted the demise of the live meeting. Would people invest the time and money to travel to conventions if they could see the presentations on their computers?
However, in-person gatherings are never going away, as humans are experiential beings who desire to share what they are learning and doing with others. In fact, the meetings industry is expanding again following the couple of… more
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Jan 12, 2013
There’s no doubt in my mind that it takes a strong, outspoken and extremely intelligent leader to command an organization like the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The International Consumer Electronics Show is the largest showcase in the technology industry, and when it comes to consumer electronics, they ARE the leader. Last year’s show boasted more than 153,000 attendees who interacted with 3,100 exhibitors covering more than 1.8 million square feet.
Who does it take to lead an organization of such size and caliber?
Adweekdescribes Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA… more
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Dec 31, 2012
I am getting on my soap box as we close out 2012. I see blog after blog talking about the importance of follow up of leads after a trade show. This should be rather obvious, but clearly a topic where we continue to fall down.
Why go to a trade show and collect leads if you sit on them for months at a time? I am going to assume we all have the good intention of following up, and something is happening to prevent that. And, since we are all in holiday mode, with parties a go go, I am going to use that analogy to highlight three areas where I think the issue… more
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Dec 31, 2012
As the year comes to an end, we can’t help but think about what we want to achieve in 2013, both personally and professionally. People often want to start fresh each year, and the top resolutions are almost always about healthy living and balanced life styles. As event planners, we can take a lesson from this and make an effort to incorporate wellness into our meetings.
So where do you start? The first and most obvious place to begin is your menus. Are they healthy and well balanced with assorted proteins, vegetables, and fruits, or are they sugar-loaded, carbohydrate-rich belly bombs… more
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Dec 25, 2012
Thanks to increasing commercialization, the advertising and marketing industries are contributing ever-larger volumes of waste each year. Marketing collateral and display stands use enormous amounts of paper. A considerable chunk of glossy brochures and handouts are not always properly recycled and use non-sustainable printing processes and chemicals harmful to the environment.
Apart from wasting trees, the manufacturing process also carries a large carbon footprint. In fact, trade expo centers like the US and Middle East can emit up to 200,000 tons of carbon a year on the production of… more
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Dec 11, 2012
I literally have been to five cities in the past seven weeks, including holding the TSNN Awards in Louisville, reporting on two energy-related trade shows in Houston and Pittsburgh and going to last week’s International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! in Orlando.
I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am an extremely fortunate person to work in the trade show industry and to wake up every day excited to do my job.
The No. 1 reason I love the trade show industry, by far, is the people.
This industry has such amazing people working in it, many of whom I… more
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Dec 08, 2012
If your organization is hosting a conference or trade show you need to ensure that your staff members are fully participating. If your people are corralled in the back of the room or in a side office, then you are missing out on the real value long-term the event can bring.
Sure, someone has to work the check-in table and take care of other house-keeping issues (and emergencies), but too often the association staff or company employees are not part of the community that is created when we bring people together. Worse, sometimes the executives or sales staff get to mingle with… more
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Partner Voices
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At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.