CEIR 2021 Predict Conference Will Take Place in Person at MGM National Harbor
April 26, 2021
What is the trade show industry going to look like in a post-pandemic “new normal?” That is the burning question the Predict Annual Exhibition Industry Outlook Conference will attempt to answer when it takes place Sept. 13-14 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Produced by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, the 10-year-old event brings together B2B exhibitions industry executives to learn about and discuss emerging trends likely to impact trade shows and trade fairs over the next three to five years.
“For a decade now, Predict has been a consistent resource for upper-level executives interested in knowing what the future of the exhibition industry holds and strategizing around that knowledge,” said Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR. “This year’s program will be unlike any other as our industry recovers from last year’s devastating turn of events and looks to how we can get where we need to be as quickly as possible.”
With the exhibition industry suffering its greatest losses and challenges in the past 13 months, the lens through which Predict will be viewing the short-term future of the industry will be unique. According to CEIR officials, this year’s program will take that into account while offering forward-looking information by economic and industry presenters from both within and outside of the trade show industry.
“This combination of bringing the outside in has made Predict a must-attend event for senior executives over the past decade,” Breden said.
Last year, the conference was held virtually and focused on the economic, geopolitical and social issues and their likely impact into the future. The 2021 conference will once again serve as the only industry conference to present future-forward information to help exhibition executives make strategic business decisions.
According to CEIR officials, choosing the MGM National Harbor for the conference’s live return was a no-brainer, as Predict was the first event held at the property upon its debut and has been an important partner ever since.
To keep attendees safe, the conference will follow CDC guidelines and any MGM National Harbor policies in place at the time of the conference, according to CEIR officials.
This year, Predict’s partners include:
Collaborator Partners:
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
Synchronicities
Associate Partners:
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans & Company
Contributor Partners:
CORT Events
Fern
Conference registration will open in early June, with programming to be announced in the coming weeks.
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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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