New Business Contracts: Stetson, CDS, eventPower and CompuSystems
September 23, 2020
While there has been an understandable drop in new and renewed business deals in the trade show industry lately, there have been some bright spots, particularly in the virtual space. Here are a few companies continuing to forge ahead as they prepare for a post-COVID-19 business future.
Stetson Convention Services
Pittsburgh-based Stetson Convention Services has been tapped by Jamie Belkin Productions, Cleveland Clinic and The Commission on Presidential Debates to help produce the 2020 Presidential Debate, set for Sept. 29 at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
According to Stetson President Bill Sandherr, the 56-year-old full-service contractor and decorating company will be a specialty contractor for the event. It will work closely with all parties, including approximately 150 media outlets, to provide event management services and online material and equipment ordering storefronts. Additionally, Stetson will provide IT sourcing, marketing and special events departments for Cleveland Clinic.
“This means so much to our company,” Sandherr said. “It means that we can get back to work and do the things we love to do: planning, collaborating, creating, producing [and] working with a team of professional event planners in a safe and enjoyable way.”
Convention Data Services
Convention Data Services signed a new four-year contract with LightFair International, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. Between 2021-24, the Freeman Company-owned partner will provide registration, lead management and integrations for the event, set for May 16-20, 2021, at Javits Center in New York City.
According to LightFair Show Director Dan Darby, CDS’s customizable registration system, which also allows the show to access real-time data analytics, was the deciding factor in continuing its partnership with the company.
“We are excited to once again join forces with LightFair International,” said David Lawton, chief sales officer at CDS. “We plan to implement new technologies and best practices to simplify the registration process for [LightFair] attendees and exhibitors.”
eventPower
Conference management services and software tools provider eventPower has signed 11 new corporate and association clients that will use its new Virtual Event Experience, an all-in-one digital tool for hybrid events. They include:
- Arkansas Speech Language Hearing Association
- BioOhio
- First Three Years
- Healthcare Businesswomen's Association
- Khoros
- Metro Public Adjustment
- National Association of State Retirement Administrators
- National Council of State Housing Agencies
- Technology Services Industry Association
- The Missouri School Boards Association
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
“When COVID-19 hit the industry, our team knew that we had to quickly shift gears in coming up with a solution that allows eventPower to continue to host events in some capacity,” said Laurie Powell, the company’s vice president of business development. “We’re proud to separate ourselves from other virtual platforms by designing a tool that was built by meeting planners, for meeting planners.”
CompuSystems
Event software company CompuSystems has been tapped to provide registration, data analytics and call center services for the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s SEMA360 eMarketplace, a new e-commerce solution that will taking place Nov. 2-6 in lieu of the annual live SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
“Since 2009, CompuSystems has serviced the in-person SEMA Show,” explained Chris Williams, president of CompuSystems. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to deliver our best-in-class registration solutions to help them make their online SEMA360 the best it can be.”
The company also signed multi-year renewal deals with several association clients recently, including National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), The Association for Talent Development (ATD) and Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA).
CompuSystems will provide registration, data analytics and lead retrieval services for each of the organization’s annual shows, including Total Store Expo through 2023, NACDS Annual Meetings through 2023, ATD International Conference & Expo through 2022 and SGIA’s PRINTING United through 2023.
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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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