News
May 12, 2021
The exhibitions industry is racing to help those in need by running for a good cause. Set for June 8-9 for a 4 p.m. start in the U.K. (11 a.m. EDT), the Event Industry Backyard Ultra will feature marathon enthusiast and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, who will be running a 5K race every hour for a straight 24 hours in an effort to raise funds for two industry charities and a global charity supporting India, while being livestreamed across multiple platforms.
Please sign up to watch and donate here: https://app.swapcard.com/event/24hour5krun
Participating in what BBC Sport describes as “… more
May 12, 2021
Global Exhibitions Day, set for June 2, offers an opportunity for the industry to remark about its uncanny resiliency and value, perhaps never more demonstrated than in the past year and a half.
Worth an estimated $551 billion, according to a joint press release sent by Clarion Events and UFI, the global association of the exhibitions industry, trade shows and exhibitions are poised to stage a grand comeback at a time when economies across the world need them most. While in most parts of the world, vaccination news is encouraging and travel restrictions are being lifted, economic recovery is… more
May 11, 2021
Last month, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas welcomed the live return of its longest-running conference, the Trauma & Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery conference, aka the Mattox/Vegas TCC&ACS. Held April 12-14 inside the resort’s 50,000 square-foot Octavius Ballroom, the event not only marked its 54th year at the storied Strip resort, but also the first large-scale meeting to be held at the property since the onset of the pandemic.
Known as the largest trauma postgraduate course in the U.S., the two and one-half day conference is designed for medical professionals working in Level I… more
May 10, 2021
Optimism about the events industry is transforming from anecdotal to data-driven. A new report from Freeman, which has been tracking attendees’ temperatures about returning to face-to-face gatherings for the better part of a year, shows the strongest signs yet that the great recovery may happen sooner than later.
While virtual aspects of shows won’t disappear with COVID-19, the eighth iteration of Freeman’s research since the pandemic began shows the highest willingness yet to attend live events. Key findings include:
85% of attendees and 86% of exhibitors are expecting to return to in-… more
May 10, 2021
Pandemic be damned! These three associations found rich and meaningful ways to connect with their members through digital events. The numbers were record-breaking for all involved, but how they got there were different paths. Explore the many routes of success when doing virtual.
Global Pet Expo Digital
Thousands of pet industry professionals converged online March 24-26 to participate in the first-ever Global Pet Expo Digital Access, the virtual version of the annual trade show and conference for independent pet retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals… more
May 05, 2021
Many of the same industry giants cooperating on safety standards for a return to live events have found common ground again with a new baseline format to collect and track data.
Virtual Standard Export Format (VSef), formally unveiled on Tuesday, has already won widespread adoption from leading event organizers and technology companies. Helming this standardization mission is Explori, which hopes that by creating a universal standard the industry can successfully integrate virtual and hybrid elements into traditional face-to-face gatherings.
The launch comes as trade shows and other large-… more
May 04, 2021
It’s now a matter of when, and not if, events return. That’s all that is certain. Change is coming, but in what form is anyone’s guess.
Two industry veterans with as much of an educated opinion on the future of events are Denzil Rankine, founder of and executive chairman of consulting firm AMR International, and Marco Giberti, a tech whiz who is founder and CEO of Vesuvio Ventures. The pair have written the book on where events are headed, “Reinventing Live: The Always On Future of Events,” which they will discuss in-depth with TSNN Editorial Director Matt Swenson during a webinar on May 11… more
May 04, 2021
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is marking its return to live events with its UFI MEA Conference 2021, taking place May 26 in Dubai. This will be the association’s first in-person gathering of 2021.
Centered around business after the pandemic, the one-day event at Dubai World Trade Centre will offer education on reopening and marketing initiatives aimed at a complete recovery from the pandemic.
“UFI is witnessing the need and request from the industry to meet again,” explained Kai Hattendorf, UFI’s CEO and managing director.
Led by Naji El Haddad, UFI’s regional… more
May 04, 2021
Detroit’s TCF Center has landed a new general manager. On April 19, Larry Alexander, board chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority announced that Karen Totaro has been tapped by ASM Global to lead the convention center. In her new role, Totaro will be responsible for the overall management, promotion and operation of the facility, leading its team of professionals, building on key industry partnerships in the community and supporting the overall mission of the TCF Center and the DRCFA.
“Karen Totaro is the right person at the right time to take the TCF Center back to… more
May 03, 2021
CES, the U.S.’s largest trade show and the world’s most influential technology event, will return to its longstanding home of Las Vegas Jan. 5-8, 2022. Set to take over the Las Vegas Convention Center and other venues along the Las Vegas Strip, including The Venetian/Sands Expo & Convention Center, Aria Convention Centre and Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the behemoth trade show and conference will also produce a digital version for those unable to attend in person.
“We’re thrilled to return to Las Vegas — home to CES for more than 40 years — and look forward to seeing many new and… more
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.