New SmartFood Expo to Collocate with Fresh Food, Produce and Floral Show Partners in 2018

A fifth new trade show will collocate with United FreshMKT Expo, United FreshTEC Expo, International Floriculture Expo and Global Cold Chain Expo in June 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Dedicated to the exploding category of healthy foods, SmartFood Expo is designed to provide retail and foodservice buyers with a one-stop shop for learning about the newest products, trends and opportunities to increase their share of the “better-for-you-foods” business.

2017 UFI Sustainable Development Award goes to Fira Barcelona

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has unveiled Fira Barcelona as the winner of its annual Sustainable Development Award.

The theme of this year’s  competition, “Best destination approach to implementing sustainability”, was chosen in order to recognize initiatives that combine the efforts of a destination, in partnership with a professional exhibition operator, to implement sustainability around an individual exhibition or a series of events.

Keynote Speakers Unveiled for 2017 Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Annual Convention

More keynote speakers have been unveiled for the 2017 Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Annual Convention in Montréal, Canada July 11‐14.

“We are thrilled to have assembled such a diverse and respected group of speakers for the Annual Convention,” said DMAI President and CEO Don Welsh.

He added, “We look forward to inspiring and equipping our members with education sessions as well as giving them the unique opportunity to connect with industry peers in Montréal.”

Here are a few of the new keynotes:

Independent Show Organizers Join Forces with New Agreement

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and The Society of Independent Show Organisers (SISO) have entered into a reciprocity agreement following a meeting among several of their independent trade and consumer organiser members in Miami last month.

The agreement sees both organisations supporting each other with information exchange, research insight and mutual discounts for members to attend each associations’ events.

In addition, it sees the formation of a new special interest group the ‘Independent Organiser Network’ (ION).

AEM’s Megan Tanel Receives 2017 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events recently celebrated another successful Women’s Leadership Forum May 2 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md.

More than 220 attendees sold out this year’s event which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career, as well as the 2017 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Megan Tanel, CEM during the event.

Tanel is senior vice president, Exhibitions and Events for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). 

PCMA’s Digital Experience Institute Unveils The Power of Digital Events White Paper

PCMA’s Digital Experience Institute [DEI] recently released the publication of their The Power of Digital Events white paper.

“The emergence of live streaming and digital events has significantly shifted how participants engage with our organization,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO.

She added, “Our goal in transparently sharing PCMA’s six years of results is to assist those organizations, who desire to expand and enhance their engagement strategies, build a business case for digital events.”

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.