Association Management Company MCI Collaborates with IMEX Group, MPI on Future Leaders Forum
January 31, 2012
MCI, an association management company, has joined up with the IMEX Group, organizers of worldwide exhibitions for the meetings, events and incentive travel industry, and Meeting Professionals International to support the Future Leaders Forum.
The forum is geared toward attracting students who would like to pursue a future in the meeting industry to take part in education days, networking opportunities and internships.
To mark MCI’s involvement, the initiative has been renamed the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forumand also will be promoted with new branding.
In 2012, future leader forums will take place around the globe, including Honduras, Korea, China, Australia, Poland and Thailand.
Around 900 students participated in the forum last year, and approximately 5,100 students now have gone through the forum since its launch in 2003.
Ninety percent of those surveyed stated they are “more likely to enter the industry as a result of attending the Future Leaders Forum,” according to IMEX Group officials.
“The Future Leaders Forum is our investment in the future of up-and-coming meeting and event organizers,” said Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group.
She added, “The support from MCI, in addition to MPI, will significantly strengthen our goal to support the development of talent within the industry. Through enhancing students’ understanding of the market, we are able to equip them with valuable knowledge to guide them through their career choice and help them to flourish.”
Patrick Delaney, vice president industry relations for MCI said, “We look forward to working closely with both IMEX and MPI to continue developing events that offer engaging, relevant and valuable content. Our goal is to ensure that young people come away from the event with the knowledge and experience to differentiate them from the crowd, something particularly valuable in an increasingly competitive jobs market.”
The most recent Future Leaders Forum took place Jan. 29-31 at the MPI European Meetings & Events Conference in Budapest, Hungary.
Students interacted with a former Future Leader Forum participant and MPI Poland Club President Krzysztof Celuch, CMM, CITE, during the MPI & Global Emerging Leaders part of the program.
In addition, students were able to contribute their insight into a unique focus group for a current MPI research initiative into the Future of Meetings.
IMEX also recently launched an essay competition, which invites students all over the world to contribute a piece of work as part of a new research study that commemorates the 10th anniversary of IMEX in Frankfurt.
Among other things, the prize includes flights, accommodation and attendance at the Frankfurt Future Leaders Forum in May.
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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