Experts & Opinions
Dec 11, 2024
My first event visit to the Middle East was in January 2007, in Oman. Little did I know that this trip would, ten months later, lead to one of Tarsus’s major acquisitions—the iconic Dubai Airshow. Returning to the Middle East region 17 years later, it is striking how much has changed in our industry. On this trip, I visited Saudi Arabia for the first time, traveling to Riyadh to attend Black Hat, the cybersecurity event that Informa has geo-cloned from its flagship event in Las Vegas.
A common stereotype in our industry is that only dynamic entrepreneurs have the agility to launch into new… more
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Dec 04, 2024
The year 2024 will go into the history books as the best year the global exhibition industry has ever recorded, measured by revenues—topping out an astonishing comeback after the global pandemic. Investors remain eager to put money into our industry’s core business model of connecting people for trade and innovation, but the future will see challenges escalate, existing developments pick up speed, and complexities grow.
So, what lies in store for 2025? Once again, the UFI team has been listening to and talking with UFI members and industry leaders worldwide to get their views on what lies… more
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Nov 20, 2024
There is no shortage of hype around AI with the recent CEO-related drama at OpenAI and various “prophecies of doom.” We know there will be big impacts on business, ranging from the reshaping of law firms to pressure on Google paid search—but what does it mean for business events?
There are risks associated with event participants utilizing AI, as it may diminish their reliance on events. For example, AI can improve solution search and procurement for buyers while improving sales and marketing for sellers. Overall, there is a net positive for events with significant prizes for organizers… more
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Nov 06, 2024
We’re pleased to present the final part of our series that aims to reevaluate the terminology commonly used within the events industry. Our journey towards enhancing the event professional vocabulary has been quite enlightening. If you missed our previous discussions, fear not — we share the previous article links at the end.
Furthermore, it’s essential to acknowledge the emerging role of AI content-generation tools in event management and communication. While these tools offer efficiency and innovation, they might unintentionally generate content containing insensitive or inappropriate… more
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Oct 23, 2024
MAD Event Management recently hosted the 2nd annual Sustainable Events Summit, which brought together leading industry associations, event organizers, suppliers, and more to share best practices and innovations in the growing field of sustainable event management.
As with many conversations about sustainability, especially around election time, politics and policy were front and center. Why? In 2024, 2,841 bills related to climate policy were introduced in state legislatures nationwide, with 312 of them becoming law. On Capitol Hill, 738 climate-related bills have been introduced thus far… more
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Oct 09, 2024
Horace Greeley once famously said, "Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country." Although Greeley made this statement in 1833 as the founder of the New York Tribune, the sentiment resonated with me during my recent visits to three global industry events in Philadelphia, Manchester, U.K., and Singapore. Today, Greeley’s advice could just as easily encourage entrepreneurs to look both East and West for new opportunities.
At the 2024 SISO Leadership Conference in August in Philadelphia, one of the most dynamic sessions was led by Walter Charnizon., president of TechHQ and owner… more
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Sep 25, 2024
In the fiercely competitive landscape of live events, the ability to offer experiences, not just services, is the key to success. As the live events industry continues to evolve, event industry suppliers and vendors must adopt a combination of experience-centric strategies and data-driven solutions to craft winning proposals that stand out in the market.
Understanding Clients for Tailored Proposals
In this dynamic industry, tailoring proposals to the unique needs of clients is paramount. To stand out, start with the fundamentals – understanding your clients. Thorough research into their… more
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Sep 11, 2024
From bringing back international exhibitors and attendees to attracting and training the next-generation workforce, there is a lot happening in Washington, DC that will impact the future of the trade show industry.
While ECA brings industry leaders and advocates to our nation’s capital annually for Legislative Action Day, we know that not everybody can take time away from their shows to take part.
Enter the ECA Advocacy Network, ECA’s brand new one-stop digital advocacy platform!
Going forward, the ECA Advocacy Network will be the hub for ECA’s advocacy programs where you (yes, you… more
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Aug 28, 2024
In a world where engagement is king, static labels at events are quickly becoming relics of the past. QR codes are stepping in, bridging the gap between physical presence and digital interaction, thereby transforming event experiences and marketing strategies. Let’s dive into how you can leverage QR codes to elevate your event, making it not just memorable but also a treasure trove of data and insights.
Beyond the Blip: Understanding the QR Code Advantage
QR codes are more than just digital barcodes; they are powerful tools that can significantly enhance event marketing efforts. Their… more
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Aug 22, 2024
In the wake of the pandemic, the trade show industry has entered a phase of accelerated consolidation, marked by significant acquisitions of companies by the large corporates. The large corporates have so far been the key players in this consolidation, and private equity firms are increasingly investing in the sector, driven by confidence in a return to pre-pandemic performance and a notable uptick in acquisition activity compared to the subdued levels of two years ago.
What does this mean for the future of the industry? There is a growing concern that the focus may shift away from the core… more
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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.