News
May 18, 2021
Ask Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, what inspired her to pursue a career in the hospitality and destination marketing industries and she’ll point to a high school waitressing job that taught her the art of taking care of people.
“I’ve always had this A-type personality, so…I was always focused on taking orders correctly, ensuring hot food was served hot and cold food cold, but I also enjoyed helping people make memories whether they came in for a special birthday, graduation, vacation or night away from the kids,” she explains. “I knew the customer service… more
May 17, 2021
Two major events dedicated to health and science professionals have indicated they will require attendees to provide proof of vaccination to enter. The decisions, made by organizers of HIMSS21 Health and Safety Hub and HLTH 2021, are among the first large events to declare that in-person participants will need to be fully immunized as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that vaccinated individuals did not need to wear a mask in most instances in which they are surrounded by others who have received their shots. The… more
May 17, 2021
It’s safe to say that most of us in the trade show and meetings industry know someone whose job was affected by the pandemic. After all, the events industry was one of the first to shut down when COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., and will be one of the last to fully reopen. The need for immediate action is great; according to recent travel, hospitality and trade show industry reports, 65% of all lost American jobs came from the travel and hospitality industries, with 2020 seeing an almost 80% decline in exhibitions.
To help get the industry back to business and restore those lost jobs, the… more
May 14, 2021
JUNO, a leading software company distinguishing itself in the virtual/hybrid era, has brought LaDonna Whitaker on board as vice president of sales. The hire is the latest in a series of moves Juno is making to bolster its leadership as the events industry moves past the COVID-19 lockdown and into a new frontier of engagement.
Whitaker arrives at JUNO from Virgin America, a company that rose in prominence under the guidance of her team. Among Whitmaker’s many impressive firsts in a career leading travel’s intersection with technology, Whitaker was the first sales associate hired for Experdia’… more
May 13, 2021
The hiring craze continues across the trade show and events industry, as organizations appoint new leadership, make promotions and grow their workforces. Could this be a sign of boom times ahead?
CampfireSocial
Social network and ecommerce SaaS platform CampfireSocial has appointed 25-year industry veteran Steve Gebhart as Chief Information Officer. Gebhart will spearhead the company’s product strategy, technology development and innovation pipeline, and work closely with customers, end users and other members of the leadership team.
Gebhart comes to CampfireSocial after consulting on the… more
May 12, 2021
The exhibitions industry is racing to help those in need by running for a good cause. Set for June 8-9 for a 4 p.m. start in the U.K. (11 a.m. EDT), the Event Industry Backyard Ultra will feature marathon enthusiast and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, who will be running a 5K race every hour for a straight 24 hours in an effort to raise funds for two industry charities and a global charity supporting India, while being livestreamed across multiple platforms.
Please sign up to watch and donate here: https://app.swapcard.com/event/24hour5krun
Participating in what BBC Sport describes as “… more
May 12, 2021
Global Exhibitions Day, set for June 2, offers an opportunity for the industry to remark about its uncanny resiliency and value, perhaps never more demonstrated than in the past year and a half.
Worth an estimated $551 billion, according to a joint press release sent by Clarion Events and UFI, the global association of the exhibitions industry, trade shows and exhibitions are poised to stage a grand comeback at a time when economies across the world need them most. While in most parts of the world, vaccination news is encouraging and travel restrictions are being lifted, economic recovery is… more
May 11, 2021
Last month, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas welcomed the live return of its longest-running conference, the Trauma & Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery conference, aka the Mattox/Vegas TCC&ACS. Held April 12-14 inside the resort’s 50,000 square-foot Octavius Ballroom, the event not only marked its 54th year at the storied Strip resort, but also the first large-scale meeting to be held at the property since the onset of the pandemic.
Known as the largest trauma postgraduate course in the U.S., the two and one-half day conference is designed for medical professionals working in Level I… more
May 10, 2021
Optimism about the events industry is transforming from anecdotal to data-driven. A new report from Freeman, which has been tracking attendees’ temperatures about returning to face-to-face gatherings for the better part of a year, shows the strongest signs yet that the great recovery may happen sooner than later.
While virtual aspects of shows won’t disappear with COVID-19, the eighth iteration of Freeman’s research since the pandemic began shows the highest willingness yet to attend live events. Key findings include:
85% of attendees and 86% of exhibitors are expecting to return to in-… more
May 10, 2021
Pandemic be damned! These three associations found rich and meaningful ways to connect with their members through digital events. The numbers were record-breaking for all involved, but how they got there were different paths. Explore the many routes of success when doing virtual.
Global Pet Expo Digital
Thousands of pet industry professionals converged online March 24-26 to participate in the first-ever Global Pet Expo Digital Access, the virtual version of the annual trade show and conference for independent pet retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.