Six Trade Show Industry Organizations Team Up to Launch the Exhibitions Industry Collective
January 29, 2024
A group of six trade show industry associations have joined forces to form the Exhibitions Industry Collective, a coalition created to drive awareness on crucial, top-of-mind issues within the exhibitions ecosystem such as workforce development, sustainability and health and safety.
The new Collective comprises key organizations including the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
How it came together
Each organization in the Collective has previously worked together on industry advocacy under ECA’s leadership and are now growing and uniting this effort to address key issues facing the industry.
According to IAEE officials, by leveraging the strengths in their respective fields, the Collective will better serve the larger exhibitions and events community by bringing more awareness to key stakeholders and a clearly established path of success for each organization’s member community.
“In 2014, IAEE worked with the U.S. Department of Labor and established a competency model for exhibitions as a standalone industry sector,” explained Marsha Flanagan, IAEE president and CEO. “This paved the way for us to create a more defined path in exhibitions management with our expanded certification journey and work with the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.”
She continued, “Momentum has built since the pandemic to bring our shared knowledge together to create a visible, meaningful and lasting foothold on careers in the exhibitions ecosystem. Coming together and recognizing the individual strengths of each organization will allow us to be faster, stronger and better at tackling issues affecting the exhibitions ecosystem.”
What’s next
To start the Collective off on the right foot in 2024, IAEE will host a virtual Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week, which will be held Feb. 20-23 and feature each of the Collective’s six organizations.
Designed to promote the exhibitions industry as a career path opportunity to students, faculty, those interested in a career change and all association members in each industry sector, the event will provide attendees with sector-specific information, including available job opportunities, salary information, skill requirements and necessary training. Registration for Exhibitions Industry Awareness Week will open at the end of January.
Meanwhile, the Collective intends to roll out a new website in the next few weeks that will feature a defined roadmap for the group’s initiatives, house top-level information on each participating organization and serve as a launch point for more exhibitions industry sector details.
“ESCA takes great pride in being a driving force behind the formation of the Exhibitions Industry Collective,” said Julie Kagy, ESCA executive director. “Our commitment to workforce development, sustainability and health and safety is unwavering. As a key contributor to bringing this influential group together, ESCA is dedicated to shaping a future that ensures a thriving and resilient exhibitions ecosystem.”
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!
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.
Add new comment