Successful USITT 2015 Shatters Attendance Records

March 30, 2015

USITT 2015 broke all previous attendance records, attracting nearly 5,500 people to Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Center last week for the backstage industry’s annual event.

More than 280 exhibitors were at booths with state-of-the-art entertainment products for the largest Stage Expo ever – and 170-plus already have signed on for USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City.

“So many people told us this was their best conference experience ever,” said USITT Executive Director David Grindle.

He added, “We are very proud to be known for a show that shines in quality, excitement, and customer service.”

USITT 2015 also had Keynote Speaker Terrence Spivey of Karamu House opening the 55thUSITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo calling for more diversity in technical theatre and praising USITT and TCG for recruiting and mentoring technical theatre students of color.

During the show, two diversity sessions, USITT’s People of Color Networking Project and the Queer Nation Roundtable, outgrew their meeting rooms and had to move to larger spaces.

The Distinguished Achievers in Conversation drew a large crowd to see the five 2015 USITT Distinguished Achievement Award winners take the stage to talk about their work.

This year's group featured costume designer Jane Greenwood, scene designer Douglas W. Schmidt, projection designer Wendall Harrington, automation designer and tech director Loren Schreiber, and TCG Executive Director Teresa Eyring.

USITT and the Wally Russell Foundation added a surprise guest by honoring another star, lighting designer Ken Billington, with the first Wally Russell Mentor Award, and asking him to join his fellow artists onstage.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is the national non-proffit representing the backstage industry. Besides the Annual Conference & Stage Expo, USITT offers year-round, lifelong learning experiences, networking, publications, and promotional opportunities to advance the live entertainment technology field.

Add new comment

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.