International Production & Processing Expo Stays in Atlanta for Six More Years
July 16, 2013
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has made Atlanta the home for its International Production & Processing Expo for more than six decades, and it doesn’t plan to go someplace else any time soon, signing on to the city through 2020.
The deal recently was completed with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“We have been courted by other cities, but at the end of the day Atlanta is the best choice for IPPE. Through discussions with the hotel community, the Georgia World Congress Center and the ACVB we have arrived at a commitment that will take us through 2020,” said John Starkey, president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
He added, “Each year, Atlanta’s hospitality community rolls out the red carpet for our attendees and exhibitors and they have been instrumental in helping the show grow.”
After all, why change a good thing, with the show snagging its highest exhibitor numbers to date this year – nearly 1,200 –collocating for the first time with the American Meat Institute’s International Meat Expo, as well as its longstanding partnership with the American Feed Industry Association’s International Feed Expo.
Besides record-setting exhibitors, the show also drew 25,000 attendees, 20 percent of which were international delegates.
“Atlanta’s unique infrastructure makes it easy for meetings to grow here and IPPE is a testament to that,” said William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta CVB.
He added, “We have the most accessible airport in the world and the fourth-largest convention center in the country, not to mention the best hospitality community around. Our amenities get people here, but it’s our people that keep meetings like IPPE booking year after year.”
Next year’s International Production & Processing Expo and collocated events will be held Jan 28-30 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
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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