International Association of Exhibitions and Events' Expo! Expo! Features Two-day Showfloor, Packed Schedule
December 2, 2013
When several thousand trade show organizers and suppliers gather this week in Houston for the Expo! Expo! International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, there not only will be a changed format to a two-day showfloor, but also plenty of networking and educational opportunities to keep everyone busy.
The multiday event kicks off with the CEM Program with the following subjects: Event Operations, Finance, Budgeting and Contracts, Security, Risk and Crisis Management, Selecting Service Contractors and Strategic Planning and Management.
The next day is filled with activities including several board meetings, as well as the Gift of Service that will benefit the Child Advocates, Inc. of Houston.
Child Advocates, Inc. mobilizes court appointed volunteers to break the vicious cycle of child abuse.
Volunteers will assist at the Santa’s Wishlist Warehouse where they will wrap toys, help organize toys in the Toy Drive area and assist other volunteers in loading their cars with the toys for the children on their cases.
You can sign up by registering for Expo! Expo! or by contacting Kimberly Castanuela, CEM, CMP at kcastanuela@iaee.com.
Also on Dec. 9, back by popular demand, is the IAEE Young Professionals and Krakoff Leadership Institute Alumni Party.
Tuesday marks a full day or exhibitor set up in the showfloor and, besides regular education sessions listed HERE, there also will be a special joint IAEE/SISO invitation-only program that will explore the issue of how social media and content can help or hurt an organizer and their shows.
That evening will be the opening celebration at Houston’s famed Discovery Green directly across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, where the exhibit floor and sessions will be held.
The next day is filled with even more educations sessions, such as “Content is King! 3 Ways Exhibition Organizers Can Leverage Content to Enhance Events”, “What Organizers Are Doing to Prepare for the Major Generational Shift in the Workforce of 2015” and “Launch Pad: New Events & Marketing Campaigns.”
The exhibit floor also will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at which there will be a plethora of CVBs, venues, technology products and other suppliers for the trade show industry.
That evening features the annual charity event, Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause, from founding sponsor Global Experience Specialists.
The final education day includes sessions such as “The Next Hot Market” and “The Positive Impacts of Collaboration: Partnering with Contractors & Show Management”.
During the lunch, recipients of the IAEE Awards, which recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry, will be honored. Click HERE for a full list of honorees.
"Recipients of the annual IAEE Awards personify the hard work and dedication that the exhibitions and events industry demands from each of us," said 2013 IAEE Awards Committee Chair Mary Bender.
Expo! Expo! will finish off with a closing party – Expociety – at Hilton Americas Houston.
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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