News
May 04, 2021
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is marking its return to live events with its UFI MEA Conference 2021, taking place May 26 in Dubai. This will be the association’s first in-person gathering of 2021.
Centered around business after the pandemic, the one-day event at Dubai World Trade Centre will offer education on reopening and marketing initiatives aimed at a complete recovery from the pandemic.
“UFI is witnessing the need and request from the industry to meet again,” explained Kai Hattendorf, UFI’s CEO and managing director.
Led by Naji El Haddad, UFI’s regional… more
May 04, 2021
Detroit’s TCF Center has landed a new general manager. On April 19, Larry Alexander, board chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority announced that Karen Totaro has been tapped by ASM Global to lead the convention center. In her new role, Totaro will be responsible for the overall management, promotion and operation of the facility, leading its team of professionals, building on key industry partnerships in the community and supporting the overall mission of the TCF Center and the DRCFA.
“Karen Totaro is the right person at the right time to take the TCF Center back to… more
May 03, 2021
CES, the U.S.’s largest trade show and the world’s most influential technology event, will return to its longstanding home of Las Vegas Jan. 5-8, 2022. Set to take over the Las Vegas Convention Center and other venues along the Las Vegas Strip, including The Venetian/Sands Expo & Convention Center, Aria Convention Centre and Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the behemoth trade show and conference will also produce a digital version for those unable to attend in person.
“We’re thrilled to return to Las Vegas — home to CES for more than 40 years — and look forward to seeing many new and… more
May 03, 2021
The tactile nature of the fashion industry ensures face-to-face gatherings will always be important for exhibitors to do business with buyers. But Paul Lee, CEO of NHN Global, parent company of FashionGo, says virtual shows will have their share of the runway, too.
“Digital shows will coexist with physical ones,” Lee predicted.
Some numbers suggest he is correct. Fashion Go experienced a 180% increase in newly registered retailers in August 2020, when its first virtual FashionGo Week launched. In February, the platform witnessed another 160% increase in registered retailers before the… more
Apr 30, 2021
On April 22, event professionals from across the globe tuned in to watch the Virtual Events Institute’s inaugural Virtual & Hybrid Event Awards. Recently launched to celebrate the innovation and excellence of digital and hybrid events around the world, the event was broadcast from ExCeL London’s hybrid event studio, with technical support from audiovisual and entertainment technology company Anna Valley.
Hosted by VEI Co-Founder Simon Burton, who presented accolades across 15 categories, the Awards’ entries were judged by an expert panel of 47 industry leaders comprising a diverse mix of… more
Apr 29, 2021
The pandemic has resulted in nearly 200 hotels closing their doors permanently in New York City alone. New congressional legislation seeks to save many of the jobs lost in closures there and across the country.
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) have introduced the “Save Hotel Jobs Act” to support hotels and hospitality workers as the industry seeks to rebuild from COVID-19’s damage. The American Hotel & Lodging Association reports business travel is down 85% and is not expected to make a full recovery until 2024.
In total, 3.1 million… more
Apr 27, 2021
London-based Tarsus Group formed a strategic partnership with leading aviation vlogger, content creator and author Sam Chui.
Chui is recognized as one the world’s most famous YouTube aviation content creators with more than 2.5 million YouTube subscribers and counting.
“Sam has built a truly unique platform and has established himself as one of the most exciting and influential aviation content creators out there,” said Douglas Emslie, CEO of Tarsus Group.
He added, “We are delighted to have confirmed his partnership with our Aerospace division, which delivers key events such as the… more
Apr 27, 2021
Caesars Entertainment is going all-in on Atlantic City. The hospitality giant recently unveiled a $400 million master plan investment in its Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana Atlantic City casino-resort properties. Already underway, the plans include:
Remodeled guest room towers;
Fresh interior design elements;
Casino gaming floor enhancements;
New dining concepts and amenities and more additions over the next three years.
According to Caesars officials, revitalizing the company’s flagship casino-hotel on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, Caesars Atlantic City, will be a… more
Apr 26, 2021
What is the trade show industry going to look like in a post-pandemic “new normal?” That is the burning question the Predict Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference will attempt to answer when it takes place Sept. 13-14 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Produced by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, the 10-year-old event brings together B2B exhibitions industry executives to learn about and discuss emerging trends likely to impact trade shows and trade fairs over the next three to five years.
“For a decade now, Predict has been a consistent resource for upper-… more
Apr 26, 2021
Exhibitors have, in general, struggled to adapt to the virtual world of events. Accustomed to handshakes and face-to-face encounters on a trade showfloor, they have found little in the way of an equivalent online. While their ROI has not matched expectations thus far, it doesn’t mean that always has to be the case.
Yes, in-person events are coming back — at a faster pace than we perhaps expected — but remote attendees will be part of the equation, perhaps forever. New data collected from Swapcard offers clues as to how exhibitors can make the most of virtual and hybrid experiences as the… more
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.