Rachel Wimberly
Rachel Wimberly is EVP of business development and M&A for Tarsus U.S. She also oversees TSNN and Corporate Event News.
Please Stop Asking If Attendance ‘Was Down’ at Shows Running Right Now
August 20, 2021
Since the beginning of July, I have been to several trade shows and events all over the U.S. and inevitably when I talk to people afterward, one of the very first few questions they ask is "how many attendees and/or exhibitors were at the show?"
Jennifer Hoff, president of Taffy Event Strategies and Trifecta Events, said that after she and her team recently ran the Coverings trade show in Orlando, she was asked the same thing about attendance at the event.
“I told them ‘You are asking the wrong question!’” Hoff said.
In the middle of a pandemic, with a show that has a heavy international presence, of course there were not the same number of buyers and sellers as a normal year, but Hoff added, it was an incredibly vibrant and very engaged showfloor.
For any buyer who decides to go to a show right now you can pretty much bet they are motivated ones who are there to place orders and get business done.
I have been to two Tarsus Group shows recently – Foam Expo in Novi, Mich., and the OFFPRICE Show in Las Vegas – and before both shows, the teams were crossing fingers and hoping the buyers who registered showed up on the exhibit floor.
Both shows did not have the same showfloors as normal, but the buyers still came and beat expectations. And, they not only came, but they also were very engaged and order writing was busy.
As a result, the exhibitors were happy that they had taken a chance and made the investment to be at the show.
If anything, I have heard from other shows that the main complaint they actually are receiving right now from the attendees is they wished MORE exhibitors would have been on the showfloor.
So, please stop asking show organizers how many attendees and exhibitors there are right now, but ask them instead: what was the energy on the showfloor? Was business getting done?
I will absolutely guarantee you – the exhibitors and attendees who ARE coming to shows are very grateful for the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face again.
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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