Jun 21, 2024
In honor of Juneteenth, we want to celebrate and highlight the efforts of African American leaders and organizations in the business events industry. Designated a U.S. federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas, stating all enslaved people in the state were free according to federal law.
Back in 1983, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) was officially established by six founding members. Forty-one years later, the non-profit boasts 1,500 members and is led by CEO Jason Dunn, who… more
Jun 13, 2024
MetroMultimedia CEO Bruno Giaccio has joined New York trade show royalty as the recipient of the 2024 King’s Glove Award by the New York Area Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (NYIAEE).
A list mostly filled with trade show organizers vs. suppliers, a few of the notable names that many will recognize — William Little, Sr., 1987; Saul Poliak, 1989; Ralph Ianuzzi, Sr., 1992; Alan Larkin, 1993; Peter Nathan, 1999; Michael Bloomberg, 2005; Vincent Polito, 2006, Jack Buttine, 2007; and Alan Steel, 2014 – comprise the long list of past winners. The most recent… more
May 30, 2024
Ahead of the upcoming Cvent CONNECT, set for June 10-13, Rachel Andrews, the software giant’s head of global events, sat down with us for an exclusive, tell-all interview that makes it clear why she was chosen for our new and ongoing “Industry Trailblazers” feature.
Andrews began her 13-year tenure at Cvent when “the meetings and events team wasn’t really a team,” she explained, adding that the team of merely six “was kind of a bunch of disparate people working on tactics that weren't cohesive.”
“We didn't really have a strategy other than we're just going to host a bunch of lunches and… more
May 23, 2024
This spring, trade show-related organizations, especially industry suppliers, have been welcoming new executives and elevating staff as U.S. trade shows and business events continue surging ahead.
ANDMORE
Leading omnichannel wholesale marketplace ANDMORE tapped Jon Pertchik as CEO and promoted Dorothy Belshaw to president. Former CEO and chairman Bob Maricich, who founded ANMORE (formerly International Market Centers “IMC”) in 2011, has transitioned to the role of executive chairman.
Pertchik joins ANDMORE with more than two decades of leadership experience across real estate, hospitality… more
May 21, 2024
After taking the stage at Connect Spring Marketplace 2024 in Las Vegas, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) President Michael Dominguez joined us in our podcast booth on the show floor at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center to share his experience as the leader of a global sales organization for independently operated or owned hotels and resorts, cruise ships and destination management companies.
With more than 250 members, ALHI oversees a wide range of luxury brands – ranging from the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii. AHLI’s member hotels… more
May 09, 2024
Adobe, a public company that produces two major corporate events in the U.S. annually, drew more than 10,000 attendees to its annual Adobe Summit at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center when it was held March 25-28.
The event featured 12 tracks with more than 200 sessions and keynotes with leaders like Adobe President, Digital Experience Anil Chakravarthy; GM Chair and CEO Mary T. Barra; Pfizer Chief Digital & Technology Officer and EVP Lidia Fonseca; and basketball legend, entrepreneur and media personality Shaquille O'Neal.
We caught up with Adobe Senior Event Marketing Manager… more
Apr 29, 2024
Who’s moving up at event-related organizations and companies throughout the global trade show industry? Take a look at our latest roundup of people news to help you stay in the know.
The Opus Group
Global experiential agency network The Opus Group has named Kim Kopetz as its new president and CEO. Bringing more than 25 years of experience to her role, Kopetz will lead all The Opus Group’s brands — Opus Agency, MAS, TENCUE and Verve. She succeeds Mitch Barns, who has been CEO since April 2021 and will remain a board member.
A long-time leader in the corporate events and experiential brand… more
Apr 18, 2024
Ask Amy Calvert about her path to the C-suite, and she will share a common thread that has persisted throughout her professional journey: a steadfast love and respect for the human connections that business events can foster.
Calvert started her career in the hospitality sector, gaining experience working for the InterContinental Hotels Group and Loews before transitioning into the destination marketing world, serving in various leadership positions on the Visit Baltimore sales and services team for more than 15 years before taking the helm of the Events Industry Council (EIC) as its… more
Apr 10, 2024
Visit Anaheim, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Anaheim, Calif., has appointed Mike Waterman as its new president and CEO, effective April 29. A hospitality industry veteran with more than 30 years of leadership and sales experience, Waterman comes to Anaheim from Visit Orlando, where he previously served as chief sales officer.
Upon assuming the helm of Visit Anaheim, Waterman will be responsible for developing, directing and overseeing the CVB as well as leading its efforts to draw conventions and visitors to the Anaheim area to bring economic growth to the… more
Apr 04, 2024
Spring has sprung in the trade show and events industry, with organizations and suppliers far and wide touting staff promotions, executive team expansions and seasoned industry professionals joining their ranks. Here’s our roundup of the new hires and promotions.
Edlen
Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services announced several promotions among its executive team members.
Promoted to executive vice president, Zach Wetterling joined Edlen full-time in 2018 and has been responsible for the day-to-day operations in the company’s Mandalay Bay office in Las Vegas. He has worked with the Edlen team… more
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.