Best New and Upcoming Event Tech Sought for 2018 IBTM World Tech Watch Award
August 10, 2018
Judges are on the lookout for the best of new and emerging technology in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry to be crowned the winner of IBTM World’s annual Tech Watch Award, known as the industry’s longest-standing technology awards.
Entries are open until Sept. 7 for companies with a new and innovative technology product or service with an application within the MICE industry.
Tech industry stalwart, Corbin Ball, will chair the Awards judging panel that includes Michelle Bruno, president of Bruno Group Signature Events; Dahlia El Gazzar, founder of DAHLIA+ Inc; Ruud Janssen, founder of TNOC.org and co-founder EMG; Pádraic Gilligan, managing partner at SoolNua; James Morgan, founder of Event Tech Lab and Michael Shapiro from Northstar Meetings Group.
“The IBTM World Tech Watch Award offers businesses a great opportunity to showcase exciting new products and solutions to a highly engaged global audience,” explained Shane Hannam, portfolio director of IBTM.
He continued, “Entering the awards is a great chance for organizations to capitalize on the fact that our attendees have a huge appetite to discover and experience the latest exciting technologies that could really make a difference to their business. Past finalists and winners have told us that being part of our on-site technology showcase has been of tangible benefit to growing their business.”
Each entry is scored against innovation, concept/business model and value to the MICE industry.
The judges will select six finalists who will get the opportunity to exhibit at IBTM World, giving them a platform to showcase their product to an audience of more than 15,000 global MICE industry buyers, influencers and media.
The overall winner will be announced during IBTM World, taking place Nov. 27–29 at Fira Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain.
The Tech Watch Award is extremely well recognized across both the MICE and technology industries due to the exposure winners receive as well as the contest’s high-profile judges.
“We exhibited at IBTM last year and were thrilled with the response,” said Robert Caldwell, founding partner of Sciensio, which won the 2017 IBTM Tech Watch Award. “Not only did we get good foot traffic as part of the Tech Showcase, we found attendees to be interested, engaged and seeking solutions”
He continued, “The show was a fantastic ROI for us on its own, however, we were humbled to have won the 2017 Award. Aside from getting great coverage during the event, we found clients globally reaching out to us specifically because we had participated and won. IBTM World is a great event to introduce your solution to the industry for the first time or continue to build your brand. We will be back in 2018!”
Tech companies interested in being considered for the 2018 IBTM World Tech Watch Award can submit their nominations HERE.
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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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