What’s On Tap At IAEE’s First-Ever Virtual Expo! Expo!
December 4, 2020
While the 2020 edition of Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition will look different this year, that doesn’t mean the first-ever virtual “show for shows” isn’t going to be packed with tons of valuable content, business and engagement opportunities.
Set for Dec. 8-10, the annual trade show and conference will once again offer exhibition and events industry professionals the chance to learn about the latest, top-of-mind industry trends and technology, participate in special events and network with like-minded professionals as the industry looks toward a brighter future after one of its toughest years on record.
In typical years, the bustling in-person event draws in upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals—60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers—and 275 exhibiting companies to a sold-out trade showfloor. According to show officials, Expo! Expo! virtual is expecting more than 700 attendees and 100 exhibiting companies.
This year, the show’s robust educational program will include 75 immersive educational sessions over five tracks covering a wide range of cutting-edge topics, such as virtual event production, leadership and business, safely reopening exhibitions and events, wellness and personal development, and special courses for executives and young professionals. All sessions will be pre-recorded and followed by live Q&A discussions.
Full meeting attendees will have immediate on-demand content access following each session, and event professionals can earn up to 10.5 CEs with all the sessions the show is offering, according to IAEE officials.
Additionally, traditional face-to-face activities will be transformed into virtual activations for Summit Club, Chapter Leaders, newcomer orientations and more.
Meanwhile, the event’s virtual trade show will include a diverse exhibitor marketplace and buyer experience with multiple ways to network with other attendees and exhibitors via group chats and messaging functionality. The marketplace’s Buyer Resource Center will house important content spanning more than 60 product and service categories through case studies, product demos and research papers.
Other key event highlights will include:
- Opening general session kicked off by IAEE President and CEO David DuBois
- Day two General Session with author and professional speaker Risha Grant, who will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace
- Women-focused programming
- 7 industry icon interviews
- Showflloor education
- Start-up pitch competition
- Tech use case presentations
- 7 BUZZ sessions
- Art of the Show Awards watch party
During Expo! Expo!, participants can also giveback to the industry by joining IAEE, Maritz Global Events and Destination Toronto in the second annual Terence Donnelly (T-Dawg) Memorial 5K Run/1 M Walk, which will benefit the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The activity is being held in honor of beloved industry icon Terence Donnelly. To learn more and to join this effort, go here.
“We are excited to debut our first-ever virtual Expo! Expo!,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois. “Our core mission at IAEE is to bring buyers and sellers together and we are doing just that, along with robust content across five tracks, to prepare organizers and supplier partners for 2021 and beyond.”
To learn more and register, go here. An Expo Only pass, which provides access to the News & Views Theatre, Tech Theatre, the Awards Watch Party, two general sessions and the marketplace, is available for free to IAEE members.
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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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