Know Before You Go: Our Preview of Connect 2024 Spring Marketplace in Las Vegas
March 19, 2024
Are you attending Connect 2024 Spring Marketplace in Las Vegas? Considering it?
Connect Spring Marketplace is scheduled for April 2-4 at The Venetian, Las Vegas. Designed for event professionals, Connect Spring Marketplace is expected to draw more than 2,000 leaders who produce association, citywide, corporate, sports, eTourism and diversity events.
We’ve got the scoop on what you need to know before you take off for this popular desert destination for trade shows.
Speed date with suppliers. Engage in personalized 1:1 sessions with representatives from top destinations, hotels and vendors who are tailored to meet the specific needs – whether you produce a citywide event or a religious conference. Explore partnerships and solutions that align with your objectives.
Insightful conversations. Join your peers for coffee and conversations with industry luminaries, including Kara Dickerson, the former VP of strategic partnerships + conferences at CES (for citywide track only), and Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of ALHI. Gain valuable insights and perspectives from these distinguished professionals.
Exclusive networking events. Citywide hosted buyers are invited to exclusive networking events with fellow citywide planners. These gatherings will take place at captivating offsite venues such as Allegiant Stadium and TAO, providing the perfect backdrop for fostering meaningful connections and collaborations.
Be our guest. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity for a 1:1 interview with Danica Tormohlen for the Trade Show News Network podcast. This presents an exciting chance to share your insights and experiences with a wider audience.
Gone country. Lace up your cowboy boots and find your hat for a downhome reception at Ole Red, a new restaurant, bar, and music venue located at the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Boulevard. This 4-story, 686-seat, 27,000-square-foot venue is ready to get rowdy for the networking reception from 8-10 p.m. on Tues., April 2. Pack an outfit to wear if you want to be on-theme … or not.
Education. Receive up to five CMP credits by attending a variety of sessions, including The Power of Value-Based AV Spend in Event Budgets, International Travel Trends and The Power of Event Tech to Enhance Customer Experience – to name a few. The full agenda is available here.
Wellness. Grab your walking/running shoes and rise and shine bright with an early morning 5K run/walk and networking opportunity on Wed., April 3. The Venetian also offers a 24-hour fitness center onsite. Enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the heated pools at The Venetian or The Palazzo pool decks, which are both open year-round. The recently renovated Vegas oasis includes four large pools spread across two acres.
What’s new at the Venetian. Upon arrival, attendees will notice the billion-dollar reinvestment strategy that began in 2022. Guests are now welcomed to Sala 118, an exquisite bar and lounge that embraces the spirit of Italy, a Starbucks and an expanded concierge and luggage desk — all of which debuted in December 2023. In the last year, the hotel has opened a new 15,000-square-foot lounge on The Palazzo Casino Floor, Juliet Cocktail Room, with cocktails and live entertainment, and HaSalon, a high-end Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Eyal Shani.
Get out and about. Event organizers who have not been to Las Vegas in the last year will not notice several new venues worth checking out for their own future events. For example, the Sphere, a 2.3 billion arena that opened on Sept. 29 with a 40-show tour by U2, is connected to the Venetian. There are no concerts at the venue during Connect, but the movie, Postcards from the Earth, is showing three times a day.
Related: Destination Spotlight: What’s New & Trending in Las Vegas For Events in Q1 2024
Interested in attending but not registered? Register here by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 22.
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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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