Experts & Opinions
Jan 21, 2021
I’m no different than most of you. I had a business plan for 2020. It was working nicely in January and February. Then WHAMMO! A veritable meteor hit the earth. COVID-19 was thrust upon us quickly, violently, changing our landscape entirely. Since then, we’ve been at “war” with this pandemic. It’s often felt like one step forward, three steps back.
Shift happened. Shift is happening. And it will continue to shift during recovery, like sand under our feet. It can be maddening. We make plans and then later we have to throw out our playbook and change it all again many times as conditions… more
Comments (0)
Jan 19, 2021
Pivot. Virtual. Digital. Hybrid. Unprecedented: the buzzwords of 2020.
If you’re like the team at RED VELVET, these terms are on the tip of your tongue this year. Our conversations revolve around the idea of “evolving the event experience,” challenging norms and coming up with new plans that still hit the mark of creating a satisfying, successful and effective event experience no matter the format. We’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly while exploring arenas and platforms.
One thing has become abundantly clear: we are much wiser now to the fact that a “perfect” event, live or virtual,… more
Comments (0)
Jan 15, 2021
I had the honor of facilitating a Buzz Session at IAEE’s Expo Expo 2020 entitled “Going Virtual” — an apropos name given that this was the first fully virtual Expo! Expo! Along with serious questions I posed to the group, I also had a bit of fun by beginning the poll with the following question:
“If your experience of going virtual was an animal, which would it be?”
As you can see from the responses (at left), the transition to virtual was a real beast in many ways.
It’s safe to assume that the Snake, Sloth, Warthog and Shark selections were not necessarily indicating positive… more
Comments (0)
Jan 13, 2021
As we head back into live events, we’ll see many changes in how each one is fulfilled. One very important aspect for exhibitors to prepare for is how attendees feel about stepping back into public spaces, specifically large events like trade shows. This is why it’s important to start contemplating hybrid events.
What’s a Hybrid Event?
A hybrid event allows for trade shows, conferences, meetings, and other types of events to combine a live, in-person aspect with a virtual/digital component. While your live event is going on, you’ll also have the ability to reach attendees in a mirrored… more
Comments (0)
Jan 11, 2021
Let’s not sugarcoat it, the past 12 months have been difficult for everyone, especially the industry closest to our hearts: the business of meetings and events. It is easy to find ourselves a bit dejected and perhaps a bit confused. There was no rule book written for a year like 2020, and there’s no clear guide to move us forward in 2021. However, we’ve weathered storms together in the past, and we will move through this and dare I say, end up better than ever. With a little perspective and positivity, 2021 can be your best year yet! Let’s talk about the 3 “R’s” that seem to be a common theme… more
Comments (0)
Jan 06, 2021
It's an understatement to say that by many measures, this was an unusual and challenging year for us all. However, to be fair, I watched some TV series that I would never have considered and hope to never see again. Especially if they involve "big cats."
How many live events were canceled in 2020 and will not be held even through the first part of 2021? On a personal level, we all know people, friends and colleagues who lost jobs. Even worse, there is a high likelihood that a great many of us have personally suffered financial loss, even if we were fortunate to maintain employment.
Our… more
Comments (0)
Jan 04, 2021
The year that was 2020, a cataclysmic and unprecedented year for the global trade show industry, is almost behind us. But as the inaugural virtual Expo! Expo! gets underway and its attendees look to the New Year with trepidation, we must also look at positive reasons the events of the past year have forever altered the trade show industry’s landscape.
With the global suspension of large crowds, efforts to find remote solutions for business events were doubled in 2020. Practices previously marginalized by conventional face-to-face event organizers, such as online live streaming, social media… more
Comments (0)
Dec 22, 2020
Experiential marketing events are slowly making their way back into our lives. This is a good thing, provided that the events are well-planned and adhere to local health and safety guidelines. The best experiential marketing activations are the safest ones. Although it might seem difficult, there are ways to ensure your COVID-19 brand activations and experiential marketing provide a healthy balance of safe and fun.
When Good Activations Go Bad
Of course, not all events can balance safety with celebration. Over the summer, when people were tired of staying at home and missing out, the… more
Comments (0)
Dec 17, 2020
It has been a challenging year for everyone but your team needs their morale boosted now, more than ever. If you’ve bravely taken on the responsibility of planning the office holiday party this year but are struggling to come up with last-minute ideas, look no further!
Read on to find out some out-of-the-box ideas to host the best-ever party for your team.
Move your celebration to the virtual space
Vet for a virtual event platform that has a user-friendly interface and scope for in-depth customizations. Also consult with your event-tech partner whether they have features such as a… more
Comments (0)
Dec 15, 2020
You’ve undoubtedly been hearing a lot lately – and not just in this space – about the COVID-19 pandemic giving rise to something often described as the Zoom Era. Virtual events, you see, have been a necessary function of maintaining public health, social distancing and general decorum. Whether it’s a work meeting, symposium, classroom or concert, we’ve all been dutifully doing our part to suck it up, hunker down and log on. For now.
But there’s an implication weaved into that outlook – an assumption that we’ll soon go back to the way things were. We’re here to tell you: Don’t hold your… more
Comments (0)
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.