News
Jun 04, 2020
As the country slowly opens back up for business, plans for safely restarting events are shaping up. Yesterday, June 3, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando presented its Recovery and Resiliency Plan to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, focusing on its three-pronged strategy to safeguard clients, attendees and employees at events.
Developed in accordance with policy recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Orange County Government, and state and federal mandates, the OCCC’s Recovery and Resiliency Plan relies on the best available data, science… more
Jun 03, 2020
Connect, the Atlanta-based producer of live events for meeting planners and the travel and tourism industry, has stepped out as a leader in creating contingency plans to meet the industry’s needs as it recovers from the COVID-19 crisis. The company’s latest announcements include robust health and safety protocols as the launch of a new digital platform — Connect Express — for suppliers unable to attend Connect Marketplace 2020, which is set for Aug. 17-19 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Due to travel restrictions, budget concerns and other challenges facing many event… more
Jun 03, 2020
Global DMC Partners, the largest global network of independent destination management companies, has released the results of its most recent Meetings & Events Pulse Survey, which sheds light on the widespread impact the COVID-19 global pandemic has had on the MICE industry.
Conducted April 27-May 4, the survey polled 374 respondents from the meetings and events industry, of which 93 percent were event planners versus vendors or suppliers. Participants included third-party planners (30 percent; independent meeting planners (16 percent); associations (13 percent); and planners in the… more
Jun 02, 2020
A bill introduced on May 26 by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, to create the Pandemic Risk Insurance Program — a system of shared public and private compensation for business interruption losses resulting from future pandemics or public health emergencies — is gaining support from the meetings and events industry.
Among the supporters is ASAE. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe financial strain on America’s associations resulting from cancelled meetings, conventions and trade shows not covered in existing insurance policies, and… more
Jun 01, 2020
Event technology companies are responding to increased demand for virtual tools with new software offerings designed to help event planners make the shift from in-person to digital meetings. Here are three of the newest offerings:
StreampointLIVE
Event management technology platform Streampoint Solutions launched StreampointLIVE, a customizable virtual events platform tailored to the registration process that incorporates integrations with CRM and AMS solutions.
“While the country endures the COVID-19 shutdown, we want to provide events and meetings with access to a virtual platform that… more
May 29, 2020
As the fall-out from the pandemic continues, it’s heartening to see trade show and event suppliers step up to help their employees, industry and communities be strong, resilient and hopeful. Check out what these venues, vendors and CVBs are doing to support the greater good.
The Venetian and Las Vegas Sands
From donating millions of pieces of PPE to healthcare workers and delivering food to local food banks to distributing 20,000 hygiene kits to Las Vegas charities while making sure its employees are cared for during the state of Nevada-mandated closure, the Las Vegas Sands has… more
May 28, 2020
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the trade show industry globally, but in the past week or two, there have been several big steps forward to start meeting in person again.
Some shows, suppliers and associations have released health and safety plans on how they are going to look after attendees and exhibitors coming to their events or venues.
Properties in Las Vegas also announced plans for several hotel/casinos that will be opening initially for leisure travel beginning June 4. Everyone is crossing their fingers that all goes well and trade shows and meetings are not… more
May 28, 2020
Earlier this month, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council announced the GBAC STAR facility accreditation, which establishes protocols, procedures and systems for event facilities like convention centers to help control risk associated with infectious agents, such as COVID-19. Complementing that accreditation is a new set of guidelines from event experience company PSAV that is designed to be part of a system to help event venues adapt to the changing landscape for meetings and events.
MeetSAFE, announced earlier this month, is a set of tools focused on redesigning events to deliver on the… more
May 27, 2020
In response to the influx of physical events transitioning to virtual, AI live event chatbot creator 42Chat has launched Virtual Event Bots to help streamline the virtual attendee experience. Attendees simply type their queries into a chatbot window on the event’s registration microsite, virtual event site or both, and the virtual bot responds to their event-related questions within seconds.
Able to be deployed in less than an hour and capable of responding to questions around the clock, Virtual Event Bots serve as a low-friction customer support tool that helps free up event staff to focus… more
May 27, 2020
Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group has cancelled four of its 2020 restaurant, foodservice and specialty coffee trade shows in California, Florida and Illinois due to COVID-19 concerns and government-issued State of Emergency orders.
“We are saddened and disappointed we have to cancel our industry events; however, in light of both government direction and general public health advisories, we believe it is not possible at this time for a safe public gathering,” said Tom Loughran, vice president of the Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group, which produces 37 events across 13 trade… 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.