PCMA's Debut Medical Meetings Summit in London Featured Top-level Speakers, Content
July 22, 2013
The Professional Convention Management Association’s debut Medical Meetings Summit, held July 17-20 at ExCeL London, drew not only some of the top-level strategists in the medical meetings community, but also featured high-quality speakers and education sessions.
The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, welcomed the audience at the event, which included medical association meeting planners and CEOs from around the globe.
“The Mayor’s presence at the welcome serves to underline the importance the city puts on this sector of the meetings and events industry, and its commitment to high quality education and learning” PCMA officials said before the event opened.
The educational program was curated by PCMA and was designed to mix keynote speakers with specific and relevant expertise in this area of the market, with group, peer-to-peer and shared learning across the senior delegation.
The first day keynote address was given by Magnus Lindkvist, trend spotter and futurologist, on “The Future of Global Healthcare”.
The second day included a keynote workshop session with Franck Schuurmans, PH.D. on reinvention and future scenarios.
Schuurmans is an expert in strategic planning, decision-making, innovation and corporate governance, as well as a highly published and speaker at conferences and meetings throughout North America and Europe.
“This is an ambitious and comprehensive program of education and one that we feel confident will drive new learning across the medical meetings sector,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, COO, PCMA.
Karamat added, “We’re privileged to have some of the leading minds converge in London for what will be an outstanding summit.”
Other content included sessions on: “What Do Future Healthcare Trends Mean for Your Society and Medical Meetings?”; “What are the Opportunities for Reinvention in Medical Societies?”; “Codes and Compliance – A Moderated Panel Discussion on Strategies for Medical Meetings and Global Pharma and Device Compliance”; and “Your Strategies for Compliance”.
Throughout the meeting, a series of Tech Lunches also were hosted by local companies that offered attendees the chance to pose challenges and ask for advice on how technology can input and enhance their meetings.
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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