News
Aug 24, 2021
To help promote racial equity and overcome underrepresentation in its local travel and tourism industry, Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission are partnering with Tourism Diversity Matters, a tourism and events industry resource for diversity expertise, to launch the Diversity Apprenticeship Program (DAP).
Designed to help close the significant racial equity gap in the Central Ohio hospitality community, the new apprenticeship program will provide hands-on experience and job opportunities to local students, recent graduates and professionals who identify as BIPOC (… more
Aug 23, 2021
For many event planners, the idea of planning, let alone pulling off a successful hybrid event is often viewed as a complicated and daunting task requiring a major learning curve to master. To help planners overcome their trepidation, move beyond theory and put hybrid events into action, U.K.-based virtual and hybrid event platform Glisser launched its first-ever hybrid event designed to provide corporate event planners with best practices for executing engaging and successful events with both digital and in-person audiences.
Held July 13 in London, across the pond in New York City and… more
Aug 20, 2021
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, has joined The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code), a multi-stakeholder initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in travel and tourism throughout the world.
As a voluntary set of six criteria to keep children safe that its members commit to, The Code provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation. As the world’s first and… more
Aug 19, 2021
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., has become the first facility of its kind to receive GBAC STAR Facility Re-accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association.
The OCCC was one of the first convention centers to receive initial GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation when the program was launched in 2020, and the re-accreditation comes following one year of successfully hosting events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our GBAC STAR re-accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery is… more
Aug 18, 2021
After 16 years as an extraordinary leading advocate for all segments of the travel industry, including meetings and events, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow recently announced his plan to retire in July 2022.
U.S. Travel’s board of directors extended Dow’s contract after he agreed to stay for one more year, continuing to advocate for the industry as it recovers from the financial devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The board is very grateful to Roger for his steadfast leadership and profound influence on this industry and for strengthening U.S. Travel as a key… more
Aug 17, 2021
CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology trade show, will require in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to participate in the live event, set for Jan. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For those unable to travel to Las Vegas, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which owns and produces the show, will once again create a digital event that will run in parallel with the in-person program.
“Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO in a… more
Aug 17, 2021
Global cloud-based, technology-enabled services leader Intrado has acquired Hubb, a leading provider of hybrid event management technology. Finalized Aug. 13, the acquisition opens the door for Intrado Digital Media to expand its leadership position as the world’s largest technology platform built for the omnichannel event marketplace.
According to Intrado officials, the combined capabilities of Intrado Digital Media and Hubb will offer event planners a single source for unified on-site and online events, providing data and analytics across the entire event portfolio that offers valuable… more
Aug 16, 2021
As the trade show industry continues to forge ahead with health and safety still very much top-of-mind, major shows across the U.S. have been pulling off successful in-person iterations. Here are two significant events that happened in Chicago and Orlando recently.
ASI Show
As the first trade show to take place at McCormick Place since Chicago’s shutdown, the ASI Show was also the first large, in-person show for the $20.7 billion promotional products industry in more than 15 months.
Held July 14-15 and hosted by the Advertising Specialty Institute, the show’s attendance exceeded… more
Aug 13, 2021
As the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry dusts itself off and emerges from the pandemic, the need to continue envisioning innovative ways of doing business has never been greater. To help event organizers rethink their offerings and operations, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, teamed up to launch a white paper titled “Reimagining Business Events—Through COVID-19 and Beyond.”
“The pandemic has emphasized the need to innovate and be nimble in the business events… more
Aug 12, 2021
Gamification is like events on steroids. It gives attendees a sense of achievement, triggers strong emotions of happiness and excitement, and gives your event the much-needed engagement muscle.
Want your virtual events and conferences to feel more like fun and less like work? Here are 5 gamification examples to ease your attendees into an immersive experience.
Have an engagement leaderboard: Leaderboards at virtual events are a reflection of attendee engagement with the platform, event, and other attendees. Introducing such a leaderboard to your virtual event is a great way of promoting… more
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.