News
Oct 30, 2024
What’s trending for meetings and trade shows in Orlando, Fla.? At IMEX in Las Vegas, we sat down with Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej, who shared some insights about the city's growth and its continued dominance as a top destination for events and meetings in North America, as ranked by Cvent.
She emphasized that Orlando's hospitality extends beyond merely hosting events—it's about creating lasting impressions. Whether it's the top-notch venues, vibrant dining scene, or engaging local attractions, Orlando offers a rich tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered by event attendees.… more
Oct 29, 2024
Making its first significant leap into the $12 trillion healthcare sector, Hyve Group, an independent media company owned by PE firms Providence and Searchlight, acquired HLTH Inc., a privately held company that produces health innovation events.
Founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur and investor Jonathan Weiner, HLTH Inc. has grown to become the producer of three events, including HLTH USA, HLTH Europe, and ViVE, as well as HLTH Digital. Weiner also co-founded events like Money20/20, which was acquired by Informa earlier this year as part of the $1.5 billion Ascential deal, and Shoptalk… more
Oct 28, 2024
Demonstrating strength in sales, technology, and innovation, Vision Expo West, the annual B2B event for eyewear and eyecare industry professionals, once again immersed attendees in cutting-edge advancements eyecare, including lens technology, diagnostic tools, practice management solutions, and the latest eyewear design trends.
Held Sept. 18-21 at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas and organized by co-owners RX and The Vision Council, the trade show and conference attracted more than 11,000 industry professionals from 98 countries, including more than 350 exhibiting… more
Oct 25, 2024
It’s hard to believe it had been eight years since the last full-fledged Democratic National Convention (DNC) was produced. After COVID forced the 2020 proceedings to go mostly virtual, the DNC production team was eager to get back to business as usual in 2024.
As move-in for the 2024 DNC was well underway, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on July 21 he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race—less than one month before the event was scheduled to open on Aug. 19 at McCormick Place and the United Center arena in Chicago.
Navigating uncharted waters, the DNC organizing team quickly… more
Oct 24, 2024
In less than two months, Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), will leave San Diego to lead New York City Tourism + Conventions as its new president and CEO. Coker will remain in her current role until December 6.
As the first Black woman to serve as leader of NYC Tourism + Conventions, Coker will be filling the role of former President and CEO Fred Dixon, who served as the organization’s leader for 10 years, from 2014 until his departure in June 2024, when he was tapped to lead Brand USA. Since Dixon left the organization on July 15, Nancy Mammana, CMO… more
Oct 22, 2024
Since September, several leading venues announced or completed major expansion and remodel projects while others upped the ante with high-level environmental and inclusivity certifications.
Off-Strip Las Vegas Hotel Completes Convention Renovation and More
The Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas recently completed of the first phase of its multi-year property-wide transformation. Since Dreamscape Cos. took over the resort’s operations in late 2023, the off-Strip hotel has undergone extensive Phase One renovations, including the addition of eight new food and beverage destinations, the… more
Oct 21, 2024
Viad Corp, a public company, has entered into a definitive agreement with private Los Angeles-based private equity firm Truelink Capital to acquire GES, a global exhibition and event industry services provider, for $535 million.
The acquisition encompasses GES Exhibitions, a provider of global exhibition and logistics services; global experiential agency Spiro; and onPeak, SHOWTECH, and Visit, which provide event housing, power/lighting, and registration services, respectively.
Upon the transaction’s completion by Dec. 31, 2024, pending regulatory approvals, due diligence, and other… more
Oct 21, 2024
Sustainability took center stage at Javits Center during Climate Week NYC, which was held Sept. 22-29. Climate Week NYC takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York.
Launched in 2019 as part of Climate Week NYC, the Nest Climate Campus returned Sept. 24-26 to Javits and featured a one-day Sustainable Events Summit (SES), an invitation-only think-tank style meeting produced by MAD Event Management that was launched to help event organizers and suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050.… more
Oct 18, 2024
ConferenceDirect's voyage towards producing a carbon-neutral event wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. "This journey started four years ago when we committed to a 30% reduction by 2030," said Larry Hanson, chief marketing and sustainability officer for ConferenceDirect, a meeting and event management firm that manages more than 1,000 conferences globally.
The increasing demand from corporate clients to address sustainability in RFPs and his personal commitment to sustainability propelled the company to develop a dedicated team of Events Industry Council (EIC)-certified sustainable event… more
Oct 17, 2024
Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers. Set for December 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert, Calif., the intimate event is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and will explore key topics facing all three segments of the trade show and business events industry.
Last year, ACCESS 2023 attracted 325 attendees to the Hyatt Coconut Point in… 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.