Industry Association News: ESCA Launches Rising Leaders Summit, CEIR Joins Forces with IAEE
January 21, 2025
Two trade show industry organizations announced key launches and initiatives recently.
ESCA Gears Up for New Leadership Summit
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is gearing up to launch a new event designed to empower and educate the next generation of exhibitions and events industry leaders. Set for February 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit will provide an engaging educational experience designed specifically for young professionals and emerging leaders.
The conference marks the first major initiative from the newly formed ESCA Rising Leaders Committee, established to address the evolving needs of the industry’s future leaders and with a mission to provide young professionals and industry newcomers with the skills, resources, and network they need to succeed in their careers.
“The Rising Leaders Summit represents a critical opportunity for young professionals and newcomers to our industry to develop essential skills for success,” said Julie Kagy, ESCA executive director. “By concentrating on leadership, personal growth, and industry insights, we aim to shape the future leaders of our sector.”
Featuring a robust agenda of leadership development sessions and industry-specific workshops, the summit will feature immersive seminars on emerging industry trends, hands-on training in leadership competencies, and interactive sessions with thought leaders. The event will also offer a dine-around networking experience, providing an engaging and informal setting for attendees to connect with peers and form new professional relationships.
To learn more and to register for the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit, go here. ESCA members receive a discount on the registration fee.
CEIR Joins IAEE
Announced at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2024 in Los Angeles, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) joins the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as its official research division, but the CEIR Board of Directors and budget will remain in place until the full transition is finalized on January 1, 2026.
The move furthers IAEE’s mission to deliver cutting-edge insights and resources for event industry professionals, with CEIR’s leading exhibitions and events data and analysis enhanced through IAEE’s global platform.
By aligning CEIR’s research initiatives with IAEE’s strategic objectives, the integration aims to deepen the understanding of industry trends, provide improved resources for members, and further establish IAEE as a frontrunner in advancing the exhibitions and events profession, according to IAEE.
“This integration strengthens our ability to serve the global exhibitions and events community,” said 2025 IAEE Chairperson Chuck Grouzard, executive vice president, business development, creative and design, GES. “CEIR’s data-driven approach perfectly complements IAEE’s mission to connect, educate, and empower professionals worldwide.”
As a division of IAEE, CEIR will continue producing industry research while benefiting from IAEE’s extensive network and resources. Meanwhile, IAEE will have more bandwidth to serve its members through various research projects for the industry segments it represents, according to IAEE officials. For example, in late 2025, the organization is planning to launch a new healthcare organizer initiative that will feature an in-person forum, virtual meetings, and an online platform for healthcare organizers to share insights on their unique challenges and experiences.
“Bringing CEIR under IAEE’s umbrella marks a pivotal moment for our organization and the industry,” said 2025 CEIR Chairperson Brian Pagel, executive vice president, Emerald. “This partnership ensures CEIR’s vital research will continue to thrive and be leveraged to inform critical decisions for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
The integration will also enhance member and user experiences by providing one centralized resource, where IAEE members and industry professionals can have access to CEIR’s research products. Currently, IAEE members can access the CEIR store using the same credentials as the IAEE website, but there are plans to streamline this user experience further as the integration takes full effect.
“CEIR has always been at the forefront of understanding our industry,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan. “This integration represents an exciting evolution, bringing greater alignment and synergy between two vital organizations. Together, we are well-positioned to foster growth, innovation, and resilience in the face of change.”
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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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