News
Jan 14, 2016
Association management company, SmithBucklin, acquired SDI, an incentive travel, strategic meetings and special events company based in Chicago.
The announcement was made by Matt Sanderson, president and CEO of SmithBucklin, and Scott Dillion, founder and president of SDI.
"Scott and his team have built a tremendous reputation for themselves and their company due to the successes they have driven for their clients, and we're excited to have SDI become part of the SmithBucklin story," Sanderson said.
The transaction enhances SmithBucklin’s growing corporate event planning portfolio, and brings… more
Jan 13, 2016
Experient, a meeting and event solutions company, formed a strategic partnership agreement with Talley Management Group.
This partnership allows Experient to offer its clients outstanding á la carte association management services, including comprehensive financial management, membership growth through database management, and business and administrative support.
“Partnering with Talley Management Group will give our clients access to selected association management services delivered by a respected and well known association management company while still maintaining their… more
Jan 12, 2016
The status quo of holding a meeting the same old way just isn’t going to be good enough to truly capture and engage attendees in the future.
Change is on the horizon, with more of a focus on helping attendees find their ‘tribe’, create spaces and events for them to eat well and be well and make content more personalized and organic.
To address these imminent changes, Marriott International, as part of its Meetings Imagined initiative, partnered with the Professional Convention Management Association to review the implications on the future of meetings.
Together, they assembled a group of… more
Jan 11, 2016
CES 2016 broke its own record from last year with 2.47 million net sq. ft. showfloor, up from 2.2 million last year, taking over the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo & Convention Center and the Venetian, as well as the Wynn, Aria, Vdara and Cosmopolitan.
Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (formerly the Consumer Electronics Association), the world’s largest technology show took place Jan. 6–9.
For the first time, attendance was capped at 176,000 to help with logistics and actual attendance exceeded 170,000.
Commenting on the move to cap, Karen Chupka,… more
Jan 10, 2016
Sponsorships are a critical revenue stream for most exhibitions. As shows grow, they attract more sponsors, organizers are compelled to deliver more sponsorship opportunities, and the sponsorship sales process becomes more time-consuming and complex. Moving sponsorship sales online provides organizers with a number of efficiencies and benefits.
What are online sponsorship sales?
As with online booth sales, there is an evolution occurring with online sponsorship sales. At one end of the spectrum, organizers exchange paper contracts with sponsors, manage sponsorship inventory and issue invoices… more
Jan 10, 2016
Sponsorships are a critical revenue stream for most exhibitions. As shows grow, they attract more sponsors, organizers are compelled to deliver more sponsorship opportunities, and the sponsorship sales process becomes more time-consuming and complex. Moving sponsorship sales online provides organizers with a number of efficiencies and benefits.
What are online sponsorship sales?
As with online booth sales, there is an evolution occurring with online sponsorship sales. At one end of the spectrum, organizers exchange paper contracts with sponsors, manage sponsorship inventory and issue invoices… more
Jan 08, 2016
Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo) will launch the Virginia Restaurant & Lodging Expo, an annual trade show serving the restaurant, foodservice, lodging and hospitality industry, in Virginia.
The inaugural show will be held Oct. 24-25 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Va.
The show will be developed with the support of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA).
“The association is looking forward to the launch and by partnering with ExpoDevCo we can utilize their already existing foodservice show network and expand on that to… more
Jan 07, 2016
Julie Coker Graham officially stepped into her new role Jan. 1 as the president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB).
She assumed the role following the retirement Dec. 31 of former President and CEO Jack Ferguson.
In June 2014, Coker Graham was promoted to executive vice president of the PHLCVB as part of a strategic succession plan that allowed her to continue leading the organization’s convention sales efforts, while expanding her responsibilities to include overseeing all of the PHLCVB’s departments and operational duties.
A 21-year Hyatt Hotel Corporation… more
Jan 07, 2016
As part of his 2016 agenda, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a $1 billion plan to dramatically increase not only the meeting and exhibit space at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York, but also build a four-level marshaling yard and the largest ballroom in the Northeast.
“We are pleased to hear about the plan to expand the Javits Center on Manhattan’s Far West Side,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO, NYC & Company.
He added, “This robust plan to add more convention and meetings space capacity is welcoming news for the more than 6 million meetings delegates that convene in New… more
Jan 06, 2016
East Norriton, Penn.-based Expo Logic, an event registration and lead retrieval solutions provider, has acquired EPIC, another registration and lead retrieval provider for associations, based out of Charlotte, N.C.
“We are very excited to have the seasoned professionals from EPIC join Expo Logic’s team,” said Jeff Cooper, CEO of Expo Logic.
He added, “This acquisition provides additional talent and knowledge that will benefit our clients. Additionally, this acquisition demonstrates Expo Logic’s continuing mission to re-invest in our development and offerings, thus bringing the highest quality… 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.