Reno Tahoe USA Sweetens the Pot with a Free Event App
February 22, 2013
When the 20,000 Safari Club International Convention attendees celebrated their 41st anniversary in Reno, Nev., this past January, they were able to navigate through their adventure with their smartphones and tablets. The SCI 2013 event app was made available courtesy of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA).
The RSCVA has partnered with Guidebook, a mobile app company based in Palo Alto, Calif., to provide qualifying events with a free mobile event app. Part of that qualification process is booking your meeting through the CVB.
Ben McDonald, communications manager for the RSCVA, says the app is not just for large conventions. They also are making it available to meetings, whether they have 100 attendees or 10,000.
“The app itself is just another one of the arrows we have in our quiver of offerings,” said Rick Saake, Internet marketing manager for RSCVA.
The RSCVA sees the event app as another value add their destination can provide meeting and event planners. “While we’re not the first city to offer this, we’re certainly on the cusp. We want to show meeting planners why we’re such a great destination to bring their groups,” McDonald said.
The event app is a native app available for Android, BlackBerry or Apple device. It also is available through the Web. Each individual convention or event is responsible for deciding what information they want on the app and for uploading the data. The app is completely customizable and allows for updates to be made on the fly if necessary.
Some of the features that are available on the app are:
- Photo sharing within the app
- Attendee networking
- Ability to tie in the organization’s YouTube channel
- Facebook integration
- Twitter app
- Live ratings, polling and surveys
- Schedule and personal agendas
- Exhibitor listings
Safari Club International was the first convention to use the app this past January. They had about 900 downloads this, their first year, and said they were happy with that number given their demographic. They reported the responses they received from their attendees were extremely positive.
Nelson Freeman, Safari Club spokesman, said, “I believe that location, convenience of a convention facility, and accommodating facility staff will always be the hallmark of a great venue for a large scale convention. Free apps that make an event more convenient to the attendee are added bonuses that can elevate one convention location over another of equal standards.”
Next to take advantage of the free app will be the Northern California Girls Volley Ball Association, with an expected 10,000 attendees.
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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