Outdoor Retailer Signs Back on in Salt Lake City Through 2018
August 25, 2015
Even with so many attendees it's not easy to find a hotel room close by and some exhibits are outside in tents, Emerald Expositions’ Outdoor Retailer community has spoken loud and clear saying they want to stay in Salt Lake City.
The company listened and recently signed a contract to keep the massive show in the city through 2018.
“Salt Lake, and the State of Utah have proven to be wonderful hosts to the Outdoor Industry and to Outdoor Retailer over the years,” said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and Outdoor Retailer show director.
She added, “The community is welcoming, supportive and we feel at home during our two weeks in town. We are pleased to work with the Visit Salt Lake team, various elected officials, and the housing and business communities to continue to make the Outdoor Retailer Markets the most significant events for the industry.”
Outdoor Retailer surveyed more than 6,000 specialty retailer attendees and exhibitors. Over two-thirds said their preference was to keep the show in Salt Lake City.
Exhibitors, too, said they preferred to stay in the city, citing favorable costs.
Outdoor Retailer’s leadership team has worked closely with local community representatives to creatively address accommodations and transportation to and from the Salt Palace Convention Center.
“We value our long-standing partnership with the Outdoor Retailer team and are pleased the show has chosen to remain in Salt Lake,” said Scott Beck, president and CEO, of Visit Salt Lake.
He added, “Visit Salt Lake will continue our work to guarantee that all attendees have a positive experience at the Outdoor Retailer Markets, including ensuring all can secure accommodations during their time in Salt Lake and access amenities like the light-rail transit system that provides transportation from the airport and throughout the city, much of it in the convention district’s ‘free fare zone.’”
The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was recently held Aug. 5-8 and the Winter Market is on tap Jan. 7-10.
Both shows are on the TSNN Top 250 list of trade shows every year, with the larger summer show drawing more than 27,000 attendees to a 540,000-plus square foot showfloor.
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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