SISO CEO Summit: Who's Who of For-profit Trade Show Industry Will Gather April 8-11 on Kiawah Island, S.C.
March 30, 2013
If last year’s SISO CEO Summit is any indication, with a 17-percent attendance jump from the year before, then this year’s event, on tap April 8-11 at The Sanctuary Kiawah Island Golf Resort South Carolina, is shaping up to be the place to be for the who’s who of the for-profit trade show industry.
Several hundred C-level executives, as well as suppliers and invited guests, will take part in not only two days of education sessions, but also several networking events, including dinners, golf tournament and more.
“With so many new members and so many that are Global, attendees will take away great content from the new business model, featuring pricing as part of the customer value proposition, to networking and determining how one can extend their brand beyond their own borders through networking and meeting decision makers from South America to Asia,” said Lew Shomer, SISO’s executive director.
He added, “It’s the one place in the Industry where the future strategic nature of the business is revealed and all the top people are there to make it happen.”
The event kicks off with an opening reception and dinner before getting down to business the next morning with the tradition of having everyone in the room introduce themselves, followed by Denzil Rankine from AMR International talking about defining the value of exhibitions and another session led by Rankine – “The Customer Value Proposition, Business Model Change or Innovative Experiment session” – in which the heads of Reed Exhibitions North America, jwc gmbh and UBM Asia will take part.
The rest of the day is packed full of sessions. Here is a sampling of what’s in store:
· The Value of Content in Creating New Markets – presented by Mark Sullivan, president of Formula 4 Media
· Presentation of the Annual CEIR Index by CEIR President and CEO Doug Ducate
· A panel discussion that includes several mobile app suppliers, “Investing in Mobile Apps, ROI or Wasted Expense?”
Besides the ones already mentioned, there are other sessions on the first day focused on Crowd-sourced festivals and hosted-buyer events before everyone heads to another reception and dinner, followed by an Afterglow event.
The next morning starts off with a session highlighting the value of travel presented by the U.S. Travel Association, as well as a joint UFI/SISO session - Understanding the Value of Emerging Markets – with several industry leaders.
The education sessions wrap up with looking at what kind of buyer/seller companies are – “Market Smackdown: Strategics vs. Financials. Realizing the best value for events companies” followed by Rankine summarizing what transpired during the event.
That afternoon, attendees have the choice of golfing, playing tennis, croquet, bocce ball or sailing, with another evening filled with more networking at drinks and dinner.
For a full schedule of events please visit www.SISO.org.
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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