News
Oct 20, 2015
By Wendy Helfenbaum
When Kathie Canning first started working at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in the mid 1980s, it was a bit of a circus. Literally.
“At that time, we were the only concert venue; we did a lot of civic events, and we did the circus every year. It was very interesting when Avon came in to do a meeting right after the elephants left,” said Canning, now the OCCC’s executive director. “Many things have changed drastically since then; it’s been quite an amazing transformation.”
Today, as convention centers worldwide explode in number, size, and technology, Orlando… more
Oct 18, 2015
Showcare Event Solutions, a company in the event registration and housing industry space, has teamed up with QuickMobile, a company with enterprise mobile event applications.
Both Showcare and QuickMobile see the relationship as a good strategic and cultural fit, according to company officials.
“Since their first application launch in 2008, no other event application provider has released more apps than QuickMobile,” says Robert Kozub, president at Showcare.
He added, “They are constantly improving their product and have also been very accommodating. We explored… more
Oct 18, 2015
Showcare Event Solutions, a company in the event registration and housing industry space, has teamed up with QuickMobile, a company with enterprise mobile event applications.
Both Showcare and QuickMobile see the relationship as a good strategic and cultural fit, according to company officials.
“Since their first application launch in 2008, no other event application provider has released more apps than QuickMobile,” says Robert Kozub, president at Showcare.
He added, “They are constantly improving their product and have also been very accommodating. We explored… more
Oct 16, 2015
The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Awards winners for 2015 emerged from a field of hard-working nominees committed to their craft.
Created in 2000, the “SMOTY” Awards recognize show organizers who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community.
"The dedication, innovation and downright determination of the people in this business continually impresses me and the judging panel, as well," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group.
He added, "We began this program to give back to the community by honoring unsung heroes, and I am… more
Oct 15, 2015
As the 5th IMEX America wrapped up in Las Vegas, records were broken across the board, with a total of 3,100 companies representing 150 countries exhibiting, including 80 new booths and 56 expanded booth.
In addition, the IMEX hosted buyer program brought a record 3,000 buyers from 54 countries to the show, for a total 10,600 people participating in the event.
There were 66,000 business appointments of which more than 57,000 were one-to-one appointments and booth presentations.
More than 40 leading buyers from the corporate sector also came for the annual Executive Meetings Forum. With senior… more
Oct 14, 2015
ibtm china’s Knowledge Programme, which took place at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing last month, was the best attended to date.
“We are extremely pleased with the attendance at this year’s Knowledge Programme in China,” said Cici Chen, ibtm china Event Manager.
He added, “Furthermore, in-depth analysis and research has confirmed that primary reasons for increased attendance were the sessions’ relevance to participant’s needs and the reputation of the presenters delivering the sessions. These findings confirm that as an event we are delivering a programme that… more
Oct 14, 2015
China’s State Council has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial conference for exhibition industry.
The working group will have the goal of determining reforms of China’s exhibition industry.
The group’s brief is to reinforce the establishment and implementation of the sector’s development strategy, plans, policies and regulations.
The group will be chaired by the Ministry of Commerce and it will also include senior representatives from 13 other government ministries, such as National Development and Reform Commission (NRDC), State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC… more
Oct 14, 2015
Emerald Expositions has acquired HOW Design Live and the HOW Interactive Design Conference series (“HOW Design Events”) from F+W Media, Inc., a Content and e-Commerce company, for an undisclosed sum.
HOW Design Live is the largest graphic design conference and expo in the nation, combining five separate conferences into a single event focused on creativity, business and inspiration for designers.
F+W’s retained HOW Media Brands, including HOW Magazine, Print Magazine and HOW University, will continue to work closely with Emerald’s HOW Design Events.
“Our strategy of supplementing… more
Oct 14, 2015
The fifth edition of Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages and dietary supplement industries in Asia, attracted 2,345 visitors to the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.
Visitors represented brands such as Dole, Vitasoy, A.S. Watsons, Blackmores, and PepsiCo, as well as an increasing number of distributors actively seeking ingredients, raw materials and finished products.
“There were some recurring themes in our conversations with people at the event, such as the idea of managing transitions between life stages, the probiotics segment, and… more
Oct 14, 2015
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Consumer Electronics Association have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the World Trade Center Las Vegas and the World Trade Center Seoul that will help enhance international business relationships.
The WTC Seoul is owned and operated by the Korea International Trade Association, which is the largest business organization in Korea with more than 71,000 member companies.
Through the agreement, Las Vegas and Seoul can co-market under the World Trade Center brand creating access to key trade information, market research… 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.