Virtual Events Institute Launches Global Community Platform
July 29, 2020
Virtual Events Institute has debuted a global platform designed to bring the virtual and hybrid events community together to share best practices, educate, discuss, inspire and do business.
The pandemic has rapidly accelerated the events industries’ adoption of digital events. Virtual events and experiences now play a crucial role in global marketing and event strategies, complementing live experiences and creating opportunities to get closer to customers, gain real-time market insight and widen global reach. Online events are currently at the heart of community building, so the need to understand and master the art of engaging virtual events is now key for business success looking toward a hybrid future.
“The Virtual Events Institute is bringing the global community together to create the future of virtual and hybrid events,” said Sophie Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of VEI. “[It] will provide valuable connections, knowledge and insight for the community to evolve event experiences, and the VEI certification program will provide the ideal learning platform.”
VEI’s new platform will provide a forum on which to discuss the quickly evolving topics around virtual and hybrid events, and also deliver high-level summits, market insights, community networking, certification training and awards. This community will establish needed best practices and innovation to all members involved in virtual events around the globe.
The launch starts with a 10-module certification training course delivered by subject matter experts focusing on the key skills and knowledge needed to excel at planning and executing exceptional virtual events. There is an introduction price for the first 100 places for the inaugural class as well as special promotional packages for freelancers, students and not-for-profit organizations.
"I believe there is a great opportunity in the virtual and hybrid approach to events, and I am excited to play a key role in advancing the cause" said Eric Ly, co-founder of LinkedIn and an advisor to VEI.
The 10-module certification course will commence in August with module content including how-to sessions on attracting and engaging your audience, monetizing and creating new revenue streams, creating compelling content and maintaining audience attention, choosing the right platform and technology, delivering a successful virtual event on the day of and more to be announced.
“As innovation evolves us eventually towards a hybrid event future, VEI will become the trusted community of experts to discover, learn and share best practices in the rapidly evolving virtual event industry,” said RD Whitney, co-founder and director of VEI. “The launch of the VEI certification program will set the standard and help raise the bar for virtual event evolution around the world.”
Michael Barnett, co-founder and director of VEI and CEO of InGo, concurs. “Together, the Event Virtualization Summit and the Virtual Events Institute will advance a new profession who fulfill the new and unprecedented need to bring people together virtually and support bringing people together physically.”
The Virtual Events Institute Advisory Board is made up of senior global market leaders to ensure that the Institute will continually meet the needs of the market. These leaders come from the worlds of trade shows, corporate events, HR, investment, sports and media. A full list of advisors can be found on the Virtual Events Institute website.
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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