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
Apr 03, 2024
For organizers who are truly serious about sustainability and lowering the environmental footprint of their trade shows, meetings and events, incorporating plant-forward menus is more than a culinary trend — it’s a strategic choice that aligns with broader societal shifts, especially among younger generations. By making this change, event organizers can not only enhance the attendee experience but also cut carbon and costs while contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.
The demand for plant-based options is growing steadily, driven by a combination of health concerns,… more
Mar 26, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and corporate events industry. In this (first-CEN/third-TSNN) in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kitty Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis and Kathy Springstead, general manager, convention center operations for Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, whether they believe we are making progress when it comes to gender diversity… more
Mar 22, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and events industry. In this second in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Janet Dell, president and COO of Freeman, and Maverick Payments Creative Director Jessica Reinhardt, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, what they advise for the next generation of female leaders and who are the up-and-coming women leaders to watch in our industry.
Janet Dell, President,… more
Mar 21, 2024
Ask about Visit Salt Lake (VSL) President and CEO Kaitlin Eskelson’s long and accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry and prepare to be impressed. As the organization’s youngest chief executive and only the fourth person to hold the leadership role in its 36-year history, she has made her mark through passionately crafted programs and strategies designed to secure a strong future for business events and tourism in Salt Lake City and Utah.
Since taking the helm at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020, Eskelson’s achievements to build back the city’s meetings and… more
Mar 15, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and events industry. In this first in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Courtney Muller, president of Manifest and Connectiv chief corporate development officer, and Kinsey Fabrizio, the newly appointed president of the Consumer Electronics Association, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, what they advise for the next generation of female leaders and who are the… more
Mar 12, 2024
Trade show and event-related organizations in the U.S. and abroad are appointing new leadership, elevating staff and welcoming new industry professionals to their teams this month.
Consumer Technology Association
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has tapped Kinsey Fabrizio as its new and first female president in the association’s history. Relinquishing the president title, Gary Shapiro, current CTA president and CEO, will continue in the latter role.
Elevated from senior vice president CES and membership, Fabrizio now sits on the association’s executive board and will be… 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.