IAVM Unveils Host Locations for VenueConnect 2019 and 2020
April 23, 2018
The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) will hold the 2019 (July 21-24) VenueConnect Annual Conference & Trade Show in Chicago, Ill., at McCormick Place Convention Center and the 2020 (July 26-29) VenueConnect in Long Beach, Calif., at Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.
IAVM’s VenueConnect is the industry conference that provides targeted education created specifically for more than 2,000 arena, stadium, convention center, performing arts center, amphitheater & fairgrounds, and college & university venue professionals.
VenueConnect 2019 will bring the conference and trade show back to Chicago for the first time since 1965.
“Chicago has so much to offer the members of IAVM. We are excited to have the privilege to host VenueConnect 2019,” said David R. Causton, regional vice president SMG’s Convention Center Division and general manager for McCormick Place Convention Center.
McCormick Place Convention Center is anchored in Chicago’s McCormick Square, a community that was created to provide economic stability and growth to the area. It is undergoing tremendous growth, including new hotels, restaurants, and retail spots.
Chicago will provide the perfect setting for attendees from all sectors, and McCormick Place Square provides quick access.
From Motor Row, a historic district with great entertainment, shops, and restaurants, to Chinatown, considered one of the most vibrant ethnic communities in North America and provides diverse places to explore, to Soldier Field, Wintrust Arena, the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and more, conference participants will have many historic and recently added venue options to explore.
VenueConnect will move to the west coast and Long Beach, California in 2020. Long Beach last hosted the annual conference and trade show in 1954.
“The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center is extremely excited to be selected as the 2020 International Association Venue Managers (IAVM) host,” said Charles Beirne, general manager. “We are looking forward to showcasing our unique turnkey spaces and sharing ideas among our IAVM colleagues.”
The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center is located in the center of the city’s downtown waterfront and entertainment district.
The convention center recently underwent a $60 million modernization and has prompted tremendous economic growth in the community, specifically in the local tourism and hospitality sectors.
The “Pacific Ballroom at the Long Beach Arena, The Center’s first turn-key venue, features over 45,00 square free of floor space, built-in professional LEDs, stage lighting, and sound system to provide an intimate environment for dinners, concerts, and special events.
The Terrace Plaza comes complete with programmable “dancing waters” fountains, and with its downtown skyline and waterfront views, is the ideal outdoor venue to experience Southern California’s near-perfect weather.
Long Beach, located in Los Angeles County, ranked one of the “Most ‘Walkable’ Cities in America,” will provide easy access for VenueConnect attendees to tour venues across all sectors, such as the new Inglewood Stadium and Staples Center, as well as enjoy the shopping and culinary experiences offered close by.
“IAVM is excited to be returning to Chicago in 2019 and Long Beach in 2020,” said Brad Mayne, IAVM CEO and president. “Each location offers unique backdrops to the VenueConnect experience, but also access to the communities and venues that the Association serves for our attendees. Both McCormick Place Convention Center and Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center will provide unique opportunities for our attendees to learn and network.”
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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