Sep 03, 2019
As Hurricane Dorian ambles its way toward the Southeastern United States, it’s wreaking more havoc on conferences and conventions. Show organizers are taking precautions to protect the safety of those traveling to events — as well as the teams helping to execute them locally — by canceling or postponing those scheduled this week.
In Orlando, Surf Expo and Imprinted Sportswear Show, both slated to take place Sept. 5-7 at Orange County Convention Center, have been canceled. Hotel reservations will be automatically cancelled (with no fees incurred) and attendees were notified via email.
“We… more
Aug 29, 2019
Hurricane Dorian whipped through Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands yesterday, bringing heavy rains and high winds. As a Category 1 storm, it spared much of the main island of Puerto Rico from extensive damage, though islands off the eastern coast were hit harder.
Dorian will continue on its path heading toward the coast of Florida over the weekend through Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting it may grow into a Category 4 hurricane as it moves through warm waters.
With Labor Day weekend upon us, it’s a relatively slow time for meetings and conventions, CVBs report. While poor for business,… more
Aug 28, 2019
Aria AV, a national full-service audiovisual company, launched a new Las Vegas warehouse earlier this month. Located at 4460 West Reno, the facility is near many of the city’s major event venues. In addition to its full range of AV equipment—including products like Be Matrix LED tiles, Samsung monitors and touchscreens, and Apple technology—Aria has debuted new items like quick-set kiosks, counters and chairs for events.
“For the last eight years, we have been traveling frequently to Las Vegas for events. Our enhanced production facilities in Vegas will allow us to further our goal [of… more
Aug 28, 2019
There’s nothing like hosting a big event to celebrate the expansion of a convention center, and that’s exactly what Kalahari Resorts and Conventions did earlier this month.
Following the completion of a $35 million expansion to its now 212,000 square feet of meeting space, Kalahari Wisconsin Dells hosted THAT Conference as the first event in the new space from Aug. 5-8.
The family-friendly, technology-focused conference — dubbed “Summer Camp for Geeks” — showed off Kalahari’s convention space and amenities to more than 1,700 attendees, spouses and children, who took part in more than 200… more
Aug 27, 2019
Destinations International’s latest in-depth report, the 2019 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, identifies major opportunities and trends forecasted to shape the future of the global industry for destination organization leaders.
The study is funded by the Destinations International Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations throughout the world by providing education, research, advocacy and leadership development. Built on the 2014 and 2017 Futures Studies, the 2019 report determines the updated trends and strategies needed to keep destination organizations… more
Aug 26, 2019
Around 4,000 industry professionals will converge in Louisville, Kentucky, this week for Connect Marketplace, a trade show and conference for those who work in meetings, events, travel and tourism,
Set for Aug. 26-28 at Kentucky International Convention Center — around the one-year anniversary of the facility’s renovation and re-opening — the annual hosted-buyer event will present an array of engaging content, lively networking opportunities. The signature reverse-style trade show portion of the event will connect planners with suppliers from CVBs, hotels, convention centers and technology… more
Aug 22, 2019
Outdoor Retailer will not produce Winter Market, slated for Nov. 5-7, instead uniting the show with Snow Show to create one winter trade show in January. Called the Outdoor + Snow Show, the new show will be held Jan. 29-31 at Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
The news has been well received by Outdoor Retailer’s audience, who will now only have to mark their calendars for one show this winter. This is a return to the original format for Outdoor Retailer shows, which included one market in the winter and one during summer (the next Summer Market is scheduled for June 23-25, 2020, also in… more
Aug 21, 2019
This year’s SISO Event Innovation Battlefield, featuring five event tech companies, was a fierce competition, but the audience of more than 200 trade show executives ultimately handed the grand prize to Resiada and its room block management software.
Best described as a cross between “American Idol” and “Shark Tank,” the seventh annual presentation and competition took place on the last day of the annual SISO Leadership Conference, held Aug. 13-15 at Detroit’s Cobo Center.
Designed to redefine the meeting and event housing management experience, Resiada’s integrated software streamlines… more
Aug 20, 2019
Mary Pat Heftman, who has overseen the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show for two decades, will be honored as the 2019 TSNN Awards Industry Icon honoree, on tap Nov. 15-17 in Dallas.
“I am honored to be receiving the TSNN Industry Icon Award, and I am grateful for the support, mentoring and inspiration of my family and so many leaders and colleagues throughout my career,” Heftman said.
She added, “I continue to be motivated by the power of tradeshows and the economic and social impact they have on our communities and all industries. Looking forward, I remain… more
Aug 20, 2019
The fashion industry is evolving fast, and the biannual MAGICfashion trade show is keeping up, with everything from on-trend iridescent signage to mobile app registration to sustainability practices.
For the first time in more than 10 years, all the shows comprising this massive marketplace – dubbed “One MAGIC” – were held together at the Las Vegas Convention Center Aug. 11-14, eliminating the need for buyers to hop between venues as they had in the past.
“The timing is right for us to move the entire fashion community together and I think we’ve accomplished that,” said Tom Nastos, chief… 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.