Unite the Events Industry and Help Break a World Record on April 14
March 31, 2020
Tuesday, Apr. 14 was meant to be a day for event professionals around the globe to meet in person and celebrate our industry. Last year, 275 Global Meetings Industry Day events spanning six continents and more than 50 countries were held on this international day of advocacy.
In light of COVID-19 meeting restrictions, travel guidance and social distancing policies, the Meetings Mean Business coalition has officially postponed in-person participation in #GMID20. In a statement released on Mar. 31, MMBC announced that its goal is to share a new date as soon as possible, and is considering a date during IMEX America, slated for Sept. 15-17 in Las Vegas.
While Global Meetings Industry Day may have been postponed until it is safe for groups to meet once again, there will still be GMID events held on Apr. 14. But instead of face-to-face gatherings, the meetings will be virtual. Here are three ways you can get involved:
The Largest Virtual Meeting in History?
The 90-minute GMID Goes Virtual webcast, hosted by Meetings Mean Business Canada, India and the United States, aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest virtual meeting in history. This interactive session will give attendees a forum to have their voices heard, contribute to valuable industry research and connect with each other to celebrate #GMID20.
The event will be held at 9 a.m. PDT, and will open 15 minutes in advance. In order to break the record, participants need to be logged in for a minimum of 30 minutes. The agenda will include the record-breaking attempt, followed by a discussion of COVID-19 and its impact on our communities, work and families led by MMB Canada. Register for #GMIDGoesVirtual HERE.
A Day-Long Virtual Summit From MPI
If you’re looking for more content, you’re in luck. In partnership with the Events Industry Council and MMBC, MPI will broadcast a live, 12-hour-long GMID: Virtual summit.
The agenda is focused on tools and skills relevant to moving forward during this unique global situation, including sessions on stress management, leading in a crisis and staying agile.
“During this time of extreme change, it is the right time to stay connected,” said Annette Gregg, senior vice president of experience for Meeting Professionals International.
She continued, “At a time when so many of us need and count on community support, resources and reinforcement, we must continue to connect and begin laying the tracks to recovery, driving global stability and expansion. Because we know, when we meet, we can think in ways previously unthought. When we meet, we can change the world.”
A panel of industry leaders will discuss how to navigate uncertainty and move toward recovery. And the stellar session lineup includes many speakers we’ve covered in Corporate Event News: Nifty Method Marketing & Events’ Alex Plaxen, The Amani Experience’s Amani Roberts, Tracy Judge of Soundings Connect, Ruud Janssen of Event Design Collective GmbH, Tyra Warner from College of Coastal Georgia and wellness expert Lee Papa, to name a few.
The free-to-attend virtual event is open to all event professionals and includes the 30-minute #GMIDGoesVirtual record-breaking attempt. It will be broadcast live from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. CDT (1 p.m.-1 a.m. CEDT). Post-event, content will be archived and accessible for on-demand viewing by registered attendees only. Register HERE.
Commit to Serving Your Community
MMBC is also calling upon event professionals to commit to community support — and share the details on meetingsmeanbusiness.com/commit2community.
In the Mar. 31 statement, officials said, “Many of us have unique abilities to foster support in our communities by doing things such as donating supplies, funds and space. As a coalition, we are committed to bolstering April 14 as an opportunity to unite around the common goal of serving our cities and have started to collect examples from across the industry that do just that.
If you have not already, we hope that you will commit to one or more acts of service that make sense for you and your organization. No act is too small. It’s remarkable to see the numerous actions already underway, even as meetings are being cancelled and travel is being postponed. On or before April 14, please pledge your commitment and go to meetingsmeanbusiness.com to provide details about what you will do.”
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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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