Virtual Edge Institute's Program Features 80 Speakers, 30-plus Sessions
November 27, 2011
The Virtual Edge Institute’s Virtual Edge Summit 2012, on tap Jan. 9-11 at the San Diego Convention Center, has unveiled a robust education program on everything a show organizer needs to know on virtual and hybrid events, with 80 speakers and 30 sessions.
The theme of the summit, “Accelerate: knowledge. strategy. results”, will focus on presenting digital solutions for meetings, events, learning, training and community and feature speakers from companies such as 3M, Cisco Systems, Herbalife, HIMSS, IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft, VMWare, and Xerox.
The summit runs in conjunction with the Professional Convention Management Association’s Annual Meeting Jan. 8-11, also at the San Diego Convention Center.
“VES 2012 reflects a shift in our industry over the past 12 months,” said Michael Doyle, executive director of VEI and founder of VES. “Whereas our program previously focused on helping event practitioners and marketers make a business case for virtual to their organizations, today our audience is seeking the knowledge, strategy and skills to deliver and measure real business results from digital programs.”
He added, “And VES 2012 is the only place to gather the intelligence, education and business contacts one needs to accelerate knowledge, strategy and results.”
In honor of the presidential election next November, the summit’s general session will be “The Great 2012 Digital Debate”, in which a debate will be held with thought leaders in the digital space, including Larry Cook, manager, Events and Digital Metrics, IBM; Tony Lorenz, founder of bXb Online; David Rich, senior vice president of Strategy & Planning, worldwide, George P. Johnson; Tony Uphoff, CEO, UBM TechWeb; Kathy Visser-May, U.S. Marketing Channels and Analytics director, Microsoft; and John Graham, president and CEO of ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership.
According to VES organizers, the panelists will be discuss what is and isn’t working today in virtual events and meetings, what the future looks like, which monetization strategies will succeed or fail and other issues.
Some of the other education sessions scheduled were formulated after a report, “Business Motivations and Social Behaviors of In-person and Online Events”, was conducted by PCMA, UBM Studios and VEI and indicated that 41 percent of face-to-face and 51 percent of online event attendees have tweeted or texted information to their networks.
Some of those sessions include “Social Media Strategies to Drive your Virtual Event”, “The Integrated Event: In Person, Online and Mobile” and “Simple Online Events to Engage Members and Fuel Community”.
For a full schedule of sessions and other events visit http://www.virtualedgeinstitute.com.
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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