Several Trade Shows Canceled at Brussels Expo in Wake of Terror Attacks
March 22, 2016
After a trio of terrorist bombings rocked the Belgian capital, two at Brussels’ airport and another at a metro station, the city’s main exhibition venue – Brussels Expo – announced several shows scheduled in the building were canceled.
A note on the venue’s Web site stated: “Due to the exceptional circumstances in Brussels, the PRS Europe Show of today and tomorrow is canceled. The Autotechnica show will not open this Tuesday and Thursday. INFOSECURITY and FOROM FOR THE FUTURE also are canceled. Thank you for your understanding.
The Autotechnica show, organized by i-ONE and Traxio, was about to start its third day at the Brussels Expo when the terror attacks occurred.
“Considering the events unfolding in Brussels at the moment, Autotechnica and Service Station, Shop and Carwash will keep its doors closed today, the 22th of March. The organizing committee express their condolences to the victims’ loved ones,” the event organizers said in a statement.
The show drew more than 400 exhibitors and 30,000-plus attendees and served the Benelux auto industry.
The INFOSECURITY show, organized by Jaarbeurs, was set to open its doors March 23 with 150 exhibitors.
“As a result of the attacks in Brussels, Jaarbeurs has decided to cancel the trade shows Infosecurity.be, Storage Expo and The Tooling Event, which were to take place on March 23 and 24 in Brussels Expo. … The trade shows will be postponed to a later date, which is yet to be determined,” organizers said in a statement.
Infosecurity.be is the Belgian trade show in the field of IT security for IT managers and IT professionals. Storage Expo focuses on data storage and management. The Tooling Event is an event for IT managers and IT professionals in the field of IT management.
“Of course, we were appalled to hear about the terrible news about the attacks in Brussels,” the show organizers added. “We realize that this will have a major impact on Belgium. We are following the news closely and want to express our sympathy to all the victims and their families.”
PRS Europe, organized by Crain Communications, was set to open today, when it, too, was canceled.
“Due to serious events that took place in Brussels this morning, the organizers of the PRSE show have had no other option but to cancel the show,” show organizers said in a statement. “The safety and security of our exhibitors, visitors, staff and suppliers remains our absolute priority. The situation in Brussels remains fluid and we will provide further updates.”
PRS Europe is a show for the plastic recycling industry.
FORUM for the FUTURE also was to kick off tomorrow with more than 100 exhibitors and attendees who were primarily economists.
On the show’s Web site was the following statement: “We generated considerable efforts to postpone this issue and we could count on our partners, whatever their size to be united and determined to maintain a 2015 edition costs. In vain ... But what can we face such fate as the safety of delegates and exhibitors of course remains the highest priority of our foundation. So, we took the decision to cancel the 2015 congress postponed on 23 and 24 March. The seventh edition therefore never happen! Faced with unprecedented force majeure situation and given the proximity of the event, there will be no refund. We hope you understand the reasons behind that decision and the disastrous effects for all those invested it humanly and financially in recent months.”
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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