Association Executives Heading to St. Louis in August for ASAE Annual Meeting
June 19, 2011
More than 5,000 attendees are expected to take part in the American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 6-9 in St. Louis, with some of those participants coming from local medical associations, such as Optimists International, American Optometric Association and American Association of Orthodontists.
“Association professionals and meeting planners call ASAE the ‘Super Bowl’ of conventions, and that is a very valid comparison,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Convention.
She added, “Member associations dominate this $102 billion meetings industry, spending more than $60 billion annually to hold meetings and conventions. ASAE is a great opportunity for us, and our many partners to showcase St. Louis as a super region for future meetings and conventions.”
ASAE will bring together 3,000 association executives, 2,500 industry suppliers and 500 other participants to St. Louis for an array of educational and networking opportunities, according to the St. Louis CVC.
It is estimated 1,400 association CEOs will attend the four-day convention, as well as senior executives responsible for administration, technology, communications, marketing, publications, meetings and education.
Several of the association executives, including the medical ones, will come from the approximately 900 associations in the St. Louis area.
Some of the larger national associations located in the region are the American Soybean Association, National Association of Electrical Distributors and Electrical Apparatus Service Association, as well as diverse associations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Supplier representatives from most major airlines, hotel brands, and convention & visitors bureau in the United States and around the world also will be on hand, along with suppliers from the banking and investments, computer and communications industries.
“ASAE will bring the best and brightest in the association world to St. Louis to exchange ideas and network with colleagues,” Ratcliffe said. “We look forward to showing ASAE members what a vibrant and high-energy region we are for work, business, networking and play.”
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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