International Association of Exhibitions & Events Names Los Angeles Abilities Expo 2015 Top Public Event
November 11, 2015
The International Association of Exhibitions & Events has named Los Angeles Abilities Expo 2015 the Top Public Event this year, an award that will be celebrated at the organization’s Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 1-3 in Baltimore, Md.
The IAEE Top Public Events program was established in 2011 to honor the best consumer shows in the nation. Events that submitted applications were measured on broad criteria to include sound business practices, stability, exceptional customer service, and how the event serves the community and overall industry.
The Los Angeles Abilities Expo 2015 is produced by 5NET4 Productions and connects the disability community to live and online resources that promote greater independence.
The event brings necessary products and services together under one roof for the community of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors and healthcare professionals.
Every event features new technologies, new possibilities, new solutions and new life-changing opportunities.
"It's an honor to be acknowledged by our peers," said Lew Shomer, Owner of Abilities Expo. "This is a wonderful award - not only for those that make Abilities Expo possible, but for the millions of people who live with disabilities every day and who exhibit tenacity and a positive attitude that all things are positive as long as you think they are."
Because Abilities Expo services a uniquely diverse attendee base, show management engages in a very hands-on approach to create a unique experience for its attendees and meet their individual needs.
Customer service initiatives include: American Sign Language Interpretation, Braille and Large Print Accommodations, CART Services for Workshops, Loaner Scooters,
Personal Care Service Attendants, Power Chair Charging Station, Service Dog Relief Area and Wheelchair Repair.
Abilities Expo's event promotion strategies include a wide range of activities via the following marketing channels: digital media, direct mail, email, special promotional events, online advertising, press releases, newspapers, magazines, billboards, directories, fliers, public relations campaigns, radio, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, telemarketing and television.
This year, the company purchased a new, more all-encompassing URL for the organization: www.Abilities.com.
This action was the direct result of their continuing efforts to reach out to the entire disability community, connecting people to the products, services, information and resources that they need to enhance their lives.
The site has all of the show information that people have come to depend on, and is searchable so that visitors can more effectively target the information they are seeking.
It also features an editorial side chock full of news, product information and resources available to the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location. In addition, the site offers a network of bloggers and experts to keep the content fresh.
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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