Meetings Mean Business Ramps Up Advocacy Efforts Ahead of Midterm Elections
July 12, 2018
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) is working to reinforce the value of face-to-face meetings by reframing its Worth Meeting About campaign during the 2018 midterm election cycle.
Continuing the success of the campaign, the coalition will highlight numerous ways that candidates rely on face-to-face meetings to connect with constituents as well as inform, persuade and recruit supporters, including talking to voters one-on-one, participating in town hall discussions, canvassing neighborhoods, hosting fundraising events or participating in onstage debates with their political opponents.
“As in 2016, we will use the Worth Meeting About campaign to remind government leaders that they, too, leverage the power of face-to-face interactions to do their jobs effectively,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMBC, an industry-wide coalition that showcases the incredible value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities.
He added, “Our goal is to reach those who influence our industry and create policies that allow us to contribute in positive ways to businesses and the economy.”
According to a recent report by Oxford Economics, the meetings industry supports 5.9 million jobs and contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation’s economy, while in 2016 alone, meetings contributed $446 billion in U.S. GDP, generating $104 billion in federal, state and local taxes and saving approximately $879 per U.S. household.
For those industry advocates interested in getting involved, MMBC has put together new resources on its website, including advocacy action items that can be carried out in just 30 seconds or less.
“As all eyes turn toward the elections, we are calling on industry professionals and supporters from the broader business community to lend their voices to the Worth Meeting About campaign,” said Julie Coker Graham, MMBC co-chair and president and CEO of Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.
She continued, “Together, we will send the message that face-to-face has been at the crux of America’s elections since the nation’s founding. Although technology has shaped how candidates campaign for elected office, the value of face-to-face cannot be underestimated when it comes to the people and issues that will shape our country’s future.”
To learn more about the Meetings Mean Business and Worth Meeting About campaigns, go HERE.
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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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