Society of Independent Show Organizers Rolls Out Red Carpet for CEO Summit and Film Festival
January 20, 2012
With a fun play on some of Hollywood's biggest films, the Society of Independent Show Organizers' SISO CEO Summit and Film Festival, on tap March 25-28 at San Diego's The Grand Del Mar luxury resort, will kick off with an opening night reception, followed by two days of education and networking events.
The Grand Del Mar, the location of the summit that is attended by for-profit C-level show organizers, has won several accolades, including being distinguished by TripAdvisor's 10th Annual Travelers' Choice Awards as the Best Luxury (4 and 5-Star) Hotel in the United States.
The Grand Del Mar also took second place in the Best Hotel in the U.S. category.
ﾓAnyone who has visited The Grand Del Mar for a past SISO event can tell you that it's a first-class destination all the way,ﾔ said Lew Shomer, executive director of SISO.
He added, ﾓWe're thrilled that the site of the 2012 CEO Summit has received such high honors. But now that the word is out, it's time to make your reservations!ﾔ
The event will feature speakers, including Reed Exhibitions' CEO Mike Rusbridge, UBM CEO David Levin, one of the founders of LinkedIn, Eric Ly, Hugh Forrest, director of SXSW Interactive, and many more talking about topics such as technology, new media, globalization, merging old school and online promotional techniques and mobilizing communities, to name a few.
The educational portion of the summit will debut with the ﾓStar Trekﾔ session, featuring a documentary produced and directed by Denzil Rankine, executive chairman of AMR International, and written by AMR International, which is set in the year 2015 and outlines winning exhibition strategies based on CEO interviews from around the world, external benchmarks and industry analysis.
ﾓIt's the ﾑwhat's in-what's out' summary where the industry is going,ﾔ according to SISO event organizers.
In another take on Hollywood film, ﾓHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Tryingﾔ, will feature three real-world entrepreneurs - Denise Medved, Todd Brockman and Bridget Bray, as they explore the ins and outs of raising money to fund their own businesses in a world where traditional funding has gone underground.
Other sessions throughout the day themed around films include one focusing on trends in marketing, aligning celebrities and brands on the showfloor and creative a powerful community in the online space.
The day's activities are capped off by a networking reception and dinner, followed by Afterglow cocktails.
The next morning starts off with Charles McCurdy, CEO and chairman of Apprise Media, discussing ﾓThe Art of the Dealﾔ, followed by discussions about the ﾓGlobal Viewﾔ and ﾓMonetizing Digitalﾔ.
The rest of the day continues the film festival theme, with a session called ﾓGoodfellasﾔ – a discussion led by Larry Arnaudet, executive director of the Exhibitor Services & Contractors Association, with Paul Dykstra, chairman, president and CEO of Viad; Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman; and Marty Glynn, president and CEO of Metropolitan Exposition.
After an afternoon of sports – golfing, tennis or croquet/bocce ball – the SISO CEO Summit and Film Festival closes with an awards reception and closing night dinner.
For more information and to register, please visit www.siso.org
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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