LeftField Media Adds Awesome Con to its Fast-growing Roster
October 4, 2015
LeftField Media added Washington, D.C.’s Awesome Con to its growing roster. Awesome Con, launched by Ben Penrod in 2013, is a pop culture convention set in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The event has defined itself as one of the fastest-growing fan conventions in the U.S., and this year attracted more than 40,000 attendees.
“We’re thrilled to work with Ben and the Awesome Con team,” said Greg Topalian, president of LeftField Media. “Awesome Con is an incredible event, and DC is a very special region with tremendous fans. We look forward to taking Awesome Con to the next level with new publisher relationships and exciting new entertainment properties, and growing it into something even more awesome.”
Awesome Con is one of the largest fan conventions on the East Coast, spanning the worlds of comics, toys, games, cosplay, movies, and television; driven by a full-time team dedicated to quality, the fan experience, and customer service.
In 2015, Awesome Con welcomed more than 50 celebrities from the worlds of TV, film, and comics, including William Shatner, George Takei, Sean Astin, and Kevin Eastman, creator of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.
“We’ve built a deep relationship with our fans, and they are constantly asking us to bring important one-of-a-kind guests, events, and announcements to Awesome Con,” said Ben Penrod, Awesome Con Founder.
He added, “Greg and the LeftField team are as committed to the fan experience as we have been, and with their relationships and experience added to the mix, we will make Awesome Con a must-attend event for fans far beyond our nation’s capital.”
LeftField Media was created in 2014 by New York Comic Con founder Greg Topalian and trade show veterans Britton Jones, Mac Brighton and Sharon Enright with the vision to build a company focused on nimble thinking, a commitment to new audiences, and bringing together the best of B2B and B2C experiences.
It is staffed by a team of veterans who have worked on comic cons and pop culture festivals across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia.
In the span of one year, LeftField has emerged from a new concept in the event world into an organizer with a portfolio of dynamic events.
Awesome Con expands LeftField’s existing stable:
- Stream Con NYC - An online content creator fan convention and industry conference in partnership with Tubefilter (streamconnyc.com), Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Javits Center, NY
- Play Fair - A toy and play-focused convention for families and collectors in partnership with the Toy Industry Association (playfairny.com), Feb. 13-14, 2016, at Javits Center North in New York City.
- AXPONA - A high-fi audio convention for audiophiles and the audio industry in partnership with JD Events (axpona.com), April 15-17, 2016, at Westin O’Hare, Chicago
LeftField’s combined roster - Awesome Con, Play Fair, Stream Con NYC, AXPONA - delivers quality experiences across very different audiences united by common passions.
Further, this roster showcases LeftField as a strong partner, forming alliances with major associations and influencers. LeftField and Awesome Con look forward to further announcements in 2016.
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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