Experts & Opinions
Apr 16, 2024
As we all navigate the shifting scientific studies, expectations and regulations around business and sustainability, environmentally-focused events stand out as lighthouses of innovation and green practices.
What are environmentally-focused events? These are trade shows, exhibitions and conferences that aren’t just events. They’re opportunities. They’re your chance to dive into the world of sustainable events to learn, connect and come away inspired. Let’s walk through the highlights of these events and discover how you can bring their insights into your work.
1. Discover Renewable… more
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Apr 09, 2024
As events continue to be a hub of excitement and collaboration for many, it’s important to be aware of the impact they present. Understanding the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced and how much waste is being expelled during an event is just one of the steps in creating a more sustainable path going forward.
Sustainability is more than environmental action, it has four pillars. Environment is one focus area and the other three focus on Human, Social and Economic improvement.
While attendees can try their best to be cognizant of these and refrain from wasting what they don’t… more
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Apr 03, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is transforming every industry, allowing enterprises to enhance performance, improve productivity and gain insights from data. A recent study by analyst firm IDC found that 71% of survey respondents are using AI tools in their organizations, and 22% are planning to do so within the next 12 months. As more and more companies adopt AI technology, IDC expects worldwide spending on AI solutions to grow to more than $500 billion in 2027.
The digital events technology sector is being transformed by AI. Event tech platforms are increasingly harnessing the… more
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Mar 27, 2024
Last June, nearly 100 business events industry leaders and advocates went to Capitol Hill to ask their members of Congress to do three important things:
Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to finish its proposed anti-scammer rule
Advance legislation to help our industry train the next generation workforce
Introduce legislation to help bring down visa wait times.
So, what has happened since then?
In February, the FTC finalized its Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which takes effect on April 1 and will go after scammers who impersonate businesses in our industry.
In… more
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Mar 20, 2024
As marketing trends continue to cycle, the importance of consumer trust remains constant. However, the rise of influencer marketing and social media has changed the dynamic between consumer and brand trust. With immediate access to product reviews, promotional codes and influencer testimonials, it’s easier than ever for consumers to learn about new brands and products.
Over the years, marketers have witnessed the relationship between B2C companies and influencers flourish, so much so that influencer marketing is expected to surpass $34 billion this year. Though the influencer market remains… more
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Mar 13, 2024
Authenticity was a buzzword in events in 2023, and there's no denying, based on many predictions posted for 2024, that the word will play a role in many event and marketing strategies for the year ahead.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has not only revolutionized content generation but also impacted what many people assume to be genuine content or not.
There are many advantages to utilizing AI in your content marketing strategies, such as personalization, time and cost efficiency. However, there's also a danger of losing authenticity if it is not used correctly.
This is where the… more
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Mar 06, 2024
In a significant step towards a sustainable future, the stakeholders of the Net Zero Carbon Events workstreams have officially released seven comprehensive guidance documents for decarbonization. As a culmination of efforts from more than 100 colleagues worldwide, the guidance documents offer a detailed and actionable framework for stakeholders, entering in a new era of responsible event management.
Venue Energy:
The Venue Energy workstream introduced a four-fold approach to kickstart the decarbonization journey for event venues. Recommendations range from tracking energy usage to… more
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Feb 28, 2024
For years, the business events industry has been calling on policymakers to take action against the scammers who prey on our industry.
On Feb. 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) answered those calls with its new Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which will target scammers who impersonate businesses and government entities.
The FTC takes action
This new rule directly targets the hotel reservation scams and attendee list sale scams that have targeted conference and trade show exhibitors and attendees for ages.
How? The Government and Business Impersonation Rule will allow… more
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Feb 21, 2024
Think of a trade show as a miniature city and each booth as a business meeting location. Like a city, it can be a confusing place for a visitor, who may end up aimlessly wandering the aisles leading past blocks of booths and tables while trying to find their destination. So many exhibits look the same, or their displays overload the viewer with such clutter that nothing can stand out.
The right signage smooths the flow of traffic to the booths and helps attendees engage more fully with the entire show. Here is a helpful guide for trade show organizers on how to maximize signage and some… more
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Feb 14, 2024
How do you completely reimagine a trade show after a global pandemic and a three-year hiatus? Helping trade show organizers rebrand to boost attendance, increase engagement and deliver greater ROI/ROO for stakeholders is never easy.
But with a proven process, a committed organization and cross-functional teamwork, it can be done – and done successfully. Here are five strategies from our work with the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), as we helped them transform their event from “Convention” to “Access Live.”
1. Dive DeepAny event reinvention requires empathy and a… 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.