Global Experience Specialists Expands AV Services Overseas with Acquisition of Blitz Communications
September 17, 2014
Global Experience Specialists has continued to expand its offerings by acquiring Blitz Communications, an audio visual (AV) services provider for the live events industry in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Blitz Communications has offices in London and Manchester, U.K. and is the in-house AV service provider at five major U.K. conference and exhibition venues – ExCeL London, Earls Court, Olympia, Manchester Central, and the NEC.
“The addition of Blitz Communications allows us to provide a full suite of AV services across the U.K., Europe and the Middle East,” said Steve Moster, GES president.
He added, “Blitz has built a strong reputation in the live events market by helping to stage exhibitions, product launches, awards dinners, conferences, annual general meetings and road shows for some of the world’s leading organizations. Providing AV services is a key part of our strategy to become the preferred full service partner for the global live events market, and the addition of Blitz complements our AV service in the U.S.”
Blitz Communications has served the live events market for 25 years and delivers a wide range of creative AV services including specialist divisions which provide digital media, lighting, theatre, set and stage, graphics, audio and video.
Paul Hutton, Blitz managing director, and Ashok Makanji, Blitz CFO, will remain in their current positions, reporting in to Nick Marshall, GES’ executive chairman EMEA, and Munir Samji, executive chairman of Blitz, is taking on a consulting role. Blitz has more than 100 employees.
“Blitz has grown and developed since its formation in 1989 and during that time we have had a close working relationship with GES. Both companies share a similar business culture, and we’re thrilled to be part of GES’ dynamic and customer-focused organization,” said Blitz Communications Managing Director Paul Hutton.
He added, “We look forward to growing the overall business through the new opportunities the acquisition presents.”
GES has been busy expanding its U.S. AV operations as well, hiring 10 new people and winning new business, such as the upcoming Solar Power International event in Las Vegas.
GES will provide all AV equipment and production, including general session, breakout rooms, exhibits and show management needs for the show.
“The acquisition of Blitz Communications combines a full offering of audio visual services with our existing range of services, allowing GES to offer an increasingly comprehensive and convenient approach to service delivery for our live events clients across the U.K., Europe and the Middle East. With the addition of Blitz, we have immediately gained a well-established and leading position in the U.K. audio visual market,” said GES Executive Vice President of International Business Jason Popp.
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.
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