ASAE Technology Conference Emphasized Innovation, Challenges and Opportunities for Association Industry
December 21, 2017
More than 1,000 association and industry professionals converged at ASAE’s 2017 Technology Conference & Expo, held Dec 11-13 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Designed to meet the needs of an increasingly technology-driven community, the event hosted 1,060 CIOs, CEOs and technology and association professionals, who participated in 25 high-level education sessions and walked a sold-out expo hall featuring 132 exhibiting companies.
“The conference content strategy was focused on key elements of effective tech initiatives,” explained said John H. Graham IV, president and CEO of ASAE.
He continued, “Our pathways (dream, conceive, test, launch and measure) highlighted the importance of these areas and provided attendees with insights on the latest trends and how they will impact our community. Technology is driving change and influencing how our members interact with associations, industry partners and globally.”
NASA rocket scientist and author Adam Steltzner kicked off the conference by discussing how participants could harness their curiosity and spur innovation in their associations. According to Steltzner, the keys to accomplishing this are separating the ideas from people, creating a culture of innovation and collaboration, holding onto doubt, staying agile and maintaining curiosity.
On the second day of the event, ASAE hosted two general sessions, including the Community Town Hall. During this session, attendees openly confronted the issues and opportunities of mergers and consolidations, including the infusion of venture capital, with leaders from Community Brands, Higher Logic and DelCor.
To close out the conference, ASAE hosted the Fail Fest, an interactive session that explored the critical role mistakes can play and included stories highlighting how failures led to improved systems and changes within organizations.
Prior to the Technology Conference, ASAE hosted three preconference events:
- Digital Convergence summit – Hosted by Community Brands and Visit San Jose, this full-day program focused on data analytics, data privacy and data strategy, as well as how associations are dealing with any related data challenges and opportunities.
- Women Executives Forum – Unleash Human Potential: The Impact and Opportunity of Artificial Intelligence was hosted by Choose Chicago and focused on the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders, and how AI has influenced the future of families, work and society.
- Keep it Clean: Harness the Power of Gold Standard Data Hygiene – This session delved into the term “Data Governance” and enabled participants to develop a strategic framework for data management and Key Performance Indicators that they could take back to their office.
The ASAE 2018 Technology Conference will return to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor Dec. 4-5.
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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