News
Apr 20, 2022
Sponsored Article from Visit California
The Golden State’s official marketing organization was popping plenty of Mumm Napa cuvee, as it officially unveiled a $4.5 million initiative to invest and market in the professional meetings and events space for the first time in its history.
“We're here today to celebrate that California has reopened and is ready for business, and we really feel like 2022 is going to be a monumental year for the state," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, before revealing the state’s new “Meet What’s Possible” campaign at IMEX America, which… more
Apr 20, 2022
Famed British mathematician and data science entrepreneur Clive Humby said it best: “Data is the new oil. (Just as oil) has to be changed into gas, plastic, chemicals, etc., to create a valuable entity that drives profitable activity, so data must be broken down and analyzed for it to have value.”
As the world embraces virtual events to cope with the disruption caused by the pandemic, there’s an opportunity for event professionals to leverage data. And one of the best things about virtual events is that they generate a goldmine of data — granular details that can help you pinpoint exactly… more
Apr 19, 2022
As an annual education and networking event for female exhibitions and events industry professionals at all stages of their careers, IAEE’s signature Women’s Leadership Forum convened 184 attendees for two days of knowledge, inspiration, resources and strategies for career success. Held March 23-24 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., the 10th annual conference also celebrated the 2022 Woman of Achievement Award winner, Lenay Gore, former senior director of meetings and trade shows with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
“The… more
Apr 18, 2022
As the non-profit fundraising arm of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the largest global meetings and event industry association, the MPI Foundation (MPIF) serves an important purpose: to fund grants, scholarships and pan-industry research in support of the global meeting and event industry. But when the increasing humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began to take shape, the MPIF joined many event industry organizations in seeking an appropriate means to provide aid during the crisis.
According to MPI officials, since its joint board meeting on March 1,… more
Apr 15, 2022
As the vibrant annual National Cherry Blossom Festival comes to a close this month, Washington, D.C., continues to bloom with a prosperous business events scene—expected to thrive throughout 2022—and a wealth of new developments.
The nation's capital is well on the road to recovery as the industry moves out of the pandemic, and it has a positive outlook for the full return of meetings, conventions and trade shows, according to Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC (DDC).
“In a good year, we host north of 20 city-wide conventions,” Ferguson said. “Last year, we had four, and… more
Apr 14, 2022
Leading event tech company Hubilo recently united 1,000-plus attendees for MIX 2022 (Mastering Immersive Events), its first-ever global hybrid gathering, which spanned three continents and 25 time zones.
The two-day event, which took place March 30-31 virtually and in-person, with live events in San Francisco, New York, London and Bangalore, was designed to show event professionals how to create immersive hybrid events at scale, exploring what’s possible in driving engagement globally and achieving desired marketing results in the digital event era.
Events are evolving to become the… more
Apr 14, 2022
The NAHB International Builder’s Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) recently joined forces once again for the 9th annual Design & Construction Week (DCW), staging the first and one of the largest in-person shows to serve the home-building, design and construction industries since the start of the pandemic. Held Feb. 8-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, the connected events drew more than 70,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors occupying approximately 725,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space.
Together, the blended IBS and KBIS… more
Apr 12, 2022
Sometimes the path to a rewarding career is made up of happy accidents. Like many who work in the trade show industry these days, Yancy Weinrich “fell into” the profession via the jewelry industry, working for the American Gem Society and exhibiting at jewelry trade shows. One of those major events happened to be JCK, a leading annual jewelry event produced by RX, which later hired her to sell exhibit space for its jewelry portfolio comprising JCK and its sister event, Luxury.
“I can’t say that I ever thought I would be in jewelry or events—I really fell into both,” Weinrich explains. “I was… more
Apr 11, 2022
Event-related organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad are continuing to scoop up new team members and elevate executives as the industry-wide hiring and promoting frenzy continues unabated. Check them out!
Visit Seattle
Following a nationwide search, Visit Seattle and its board of directors have tapped hospitality veteran Tammy Blount-Canavan to be its president and CEO, starting May 9. As Visit Seattle’s first female CEO, she replaces 15-year leader Tom Norwalk, who retired earlier this spring.
With a rich leadership history spanning two countries and three decades, first in the… more
Apr 08, 2022
Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), unveiled the Global Event Center of Excellence, a dedicated division providing event expertise, education and resources for event professionals. The division will curate and share best practices and big picture insights via events, webinars, workshops, templates, tool kits and other pieces of content.
The aim of the new center is to help event professionals, regardless of experience level, excel by offering the training and knowledge they need to orchestrate exceptional, best-in-class event experiences, according to Devin Cleary, vice… 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.