IPW Will Collocate With Connect Travel Events in 2021

December 15, 2020

The U.S Travel Association has agreed to partner with Connect Travel for a multi-event trade show in Las Vegas, set for Sept. 12-22, 2021.

The centerpiece of the event will be USTA’s flagship IPW travel trade show, which will collocate with Connect Tour, Connect THRIVE LGBTQ Summit and eTourism Summit. IPW will encompass the Las Vegas Convention Center while the Connect events will be held at a property (to be announced later) adjacent to the facility.

“IPW has always placed a heavy emphasis on evolving along with the needs of our delegates, and 2021 will be perhaps the most important year in our history to help jump-start the critical rebuild of the U.S. travel economy,” said IPW General Manager Malcolm Smith. “This collaboration is reflective of our strong desire to maximize the value of IPW for our exhibitors in the current unique marketing landscape.”

Connect Travel, which is owned by Tarsus Group, concentrates on domestic tourism through different verticals. Blending Connect Tour, with its emphasis on tour operators seeking business in the United States, with IPW opens up opportunities for a full array of convention and visitors bureaus, destination management companies and other vendors to spotlight their services to increase visitation across the country. 

New technology and marketing advances are being promoted at eTourism Summit, while THRIVE taps into the LGBTQ market. 

Taken together, the Las Vegas mega-event promises to address many challenges the travel industry is facing. And by placing IPW in September instead of its normal May timeslot, the show appears to be well-timed for when the U.S. is projected to begin re-emerging from the COVID-19 crisis.

U.S. Travel says it is adding eight hours of networking and education to its programming and making other adjustments to maximize the time delegates can interact with destinations and other suppliers.

“By collocating our Connect Travel events alongside the most important travel event in the United States, we are creating exciting synergies for our partners to efficiently make connections across multiple industry sectors,” said Connect Travel President Will Seccombe.

 


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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.