Shepard Expositions Buys Event Producer Aquarian
September 12, 2016
Atlanta-based Shepard Expositions, a provider of trade show general services contractor and event production services, has expanded their service offerings by acquiring Virginia-based Aquarian, a producer of corporate events and large-scale entertainment shows.
“By adding live event production to our portfolio of services, we’ll be in the position to more completely meet the needs of our clients as they look to more fully integrate all aspects of their events into a cohesive experience for their participants,” said Carl Mitchell, president of Shepard.
He added, “Aquarian brings a full complement of services, a shared dedication to client success and satisfaction, and a personal approach to their customer relationships. We believe it’s a perfect fit for our Shepard culture and will be a tremendous value-add for our clients.”
Gene Lundgren, Aquarian’s founder and president, said, “Our Aquarian team couldn’t be more excited about joining forces with Shepard. Our combined teams will design and deliver complete, turnkey experiences that will increase engagement, production value, and cost efficiencies for show organizers.”
In addition to general session and entertainment production, Aquarian’s capabilities include video production, speech writing and coaching, art direction and scenic design.
Shepard’s new live production arm will operate as Aquarian, a Shepard Company.
“Gene will continue to lead Aquarian as its president and I’m thrilled to welcome him and his experienced team of professionals into our Shepard family,” Mitchell said.
This strategic expansion of Shepard’s services signals an aggressive move to more fully serve the growing needs of their customers and the industry as a whole.
Shepard currently supports its clients with a national footprint with offices in 13 U.S. cities.
The company has experienced significant and steady growth during the past decade and plans are in place to continue this pace to better serve its customers, according to company officials.
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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