Boston Strong: Passion, Leadership and Innovation in Tradeshows
November 9, 2013
There is a lot going on in Boston as one would expect. Lots of cool and innovative development, great restaurants everywhere, an amazing civic pride and spirit, that baseball team of theirs that just won the World Series … All good.
There also is Jim Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, who is kind of a force unto himself when it comes to tradeshows. Jim is one passionate guy. A native and proud Bostonian, and former chief-of-staff to the mayor, Jim has been running MCCA since 2003 and doing an excellent job.
Jim has a whole initiative dedicated to making Boston one of the top five convention cities in the country. It’s called, appropriately, Top 5 and embraces a plethora of elements designed to achieve that goal. This includes smart hotel development, space expansion, strategic partnerships with Massachusetts companies and organizations and, most important for all of us, a special strategy and product development unit with the sole mission of partnering with tradeshow organizers. This has been the de facto standard in Europe and Asia for years and, as I have previously written, we are seeing good outreach by cities here in the U.S.
Deep inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center chief strategy officer Johanna Storella and her team, which includes industry heavy-hitter Bill Sell in the event development seat, are busy making Boston even more hospitable for shows than it already is. In a nutshell, the level of engagement runs from low-risk to high-risk for the city:
· Contracted Services
· Hired Event Management
· Event Partnerships
· Joint Ventures
· Full Show Ownership
This approach takes out barriers to entry and promotes healthy innovation. Next month, they are launching the Culinary Intelligence Summit. Now that’s innovative (and just sounds cool).
The team will listen to great proposals for show ideas and help launch – or invest – or both. They can provide expert layers of show management – tailored for the needs – to grow a show in their venues. They are a financial and management resource.
I like what they are doing here. It’s a deep dive into what the German organizations have been doing for hundreds of years. It’s a great and proven model. It’s Boston Strong.
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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