Sep 01, 2022
Growing up in a culinary family in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Chef Lumarie Rodríguez-Soto initially avoided a career in the culinary arts. As a young woman, she tried pursuing other career paths, but her innate creativity and love for baking eventually led her back to the kitchen and then to culinary school at La Escuela Hotelera de Puerto Rico, where she honed her skills, grew her knowledge and perfected her craft.
“Almost everybody in my family—my grandma, my mom and my brother—works in a kitchen, [and] I saw the behind-the-scenes, non-glamorous side of the business, so I knew how hard… more
Aug 19, 2022
The IMEX Group is looking to a renowned, 20-plus-year industry veteran to remodel the professional learning offerings at its two annual shows: IMEX America and IMEX Frankfurt. The group appointed Tahira Endean, author, event instructor and event producer celebrated for her expertise in experience design, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and event tech, as its newly created head of programme.
Endean embraces a role that signals a new era for IMEX. Under her direction, a three-year education strategy will capitalize on IMEX’s free programming to meet the industry’s thirst for… more
Aug 16, 2022
While the trade show industry tends to slow down during the dog days of summer, that hasn’t stopped event-related organizations from welcoming established industry professionals to their teams while rewarding hard-working staff with elevated titles and responsibilities. Check them out!
MAD Event Management
Full-service event planning and management company MAD Event Management LLC (MAD) recently partnered with award-winning journalist Danica Tormohlen to drive content creation for UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the wider business events industry. Tormohlen is… more
Aug 04, 2022
While the U.S. economy may be losing momentum, that hasn’t stopped trade show and event-related organizations—particularly convention and visitors bureaus—from hiring fresh talent and placing new and experienced leadership at the helm. Take a look!
Visit Baton Rouge
Jill Kidder, current president and CEO of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA), the primary voice for Louisiana’s tourism industry, has been tapped to become the new president and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge. Selected by the Visit Baton Rouge Board of Directors June 30, she will replace current President and CEO Paul Arrigo, who… more
Aug 01, 2022
It can be daunting to be the “first.” But for Lynn Osmond, the new president and CEO of Choose Chicago, being the very first woman to helm the city’s official destination marketing organization is an exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Just two and a half months into her new role, Osmond has hit the ground running, laser-focused on promoting the U.S.’s third-largest city on the national and global stage. And she is more than prepared to pull this mission off successfully. She possesses an intimate knowledge of the Windy City, its tourism and hospitality community and DMO following… more
Jul 12, 2022
When it comes to achieving true sustainability, the meetings and events industry has a lot of work to do. For decades, many planners have been touting the “green” practices they’ve been carrying out at events such as going paperless, recycling, reducing waste and reusing signage, all with good intentions. But when faced with the hard, cold fact that the industry by its very nature creates temporary experiences in an extremely wasteful way, producing massive amounts of carbon emissions in the process, are those low-hanging-fruit-type practices really enough? The answer is obvious.
It’s time… more
Jul 06, 2022
As the trade show industry continues its evolution toward a post-pandemic future, event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad are appointing new leaders, promoting staff and hiring new team members in preparation for bluer skies ahead. Here are the latest exciting new people developments you need to know!
BPA Worldwide
Leading global assurance provider of media, technology, events, and sustainability compliance, BPA Worldwide, has named Richard Murphy president and CEO. He replaces Glenn Hansen, who intends to retire in June 2023 and in the interim, has been named executive… more
Jun 30, 2022
As trade shows and conferences continue their steady return to face-to-face, convention centers are happily welcoming back event participants. However, for the events industry and the myriad venues that support it, the post-pandemic era hasn’t turned out to be synonymous with a return to business as usual. Attendee priorities have changed, and it’s not just show organizers who are having to work harder than ever to lure audiences back to their events, venues are also having to adapt, working harder and faster to meet ever-changing needs in order to fill their exhibit halls and meeting rooms… more
Jun 23, 2022
Three is not a crowd when it comes to the leadership team at Huntington Place. While female executives and general managers are becoming more and more common at convention centers across North America, few U.S. facilities can claim an all-female leadership team made up of three dynamic industry veterans: Lisa Canada, chairwoman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and the DRCFA Arts Committee; Karen Totaro, general manager; and Becky Bixby, assistant general manager. Bringing decades of experience to their roles, the powerful trio has made Detroit’s downtown… more
Jun 14, 2022
In their quest for recovery and growth, associations, CVBs and trade show producers have been busily tapping new executives as well as filling director and management positions with experienced professionals. Check out all the hard-working individuals moving up at event-related organizations across the U.S. this month!
American Pet Products Association
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) has appointed seasoned association executive Peter Scott as its CEO, effective Aug. 15. A proven leader bringing more than 20 years of experience to his new leadership role, Scott has served as… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.