Experts & Opinions
May 06, 2021
The rollout of more and more vaccines will help large venues reopen and allow our industry to bring back in-person events in the coming months. It will be critical for event organizers and venues to work together to deliver events where attendees feel safe participating. Technology plays a key role in this effort and can streamline health safety measures for event organizers.
Here are four ways technology takes event health safety plans beyond sanitizing stations and facial coverings:
Technology Allows Participants to Easily Attest to Their Health
Mobile, web-based technology allows event… more
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May 04, 2021
A digital-first approach to industry events and networking is now the norm, bringing with it new opportunities to make meaningful connections virtually, along with a more adaptable, convenient and precise way to organize and attend industry events.
This current reality will never fully disappear — instead it’s a sign of what the future will bring. The pandemic has accelerated innovation in the events industry and forced event organizers to prioritize and cater to virtual and hybrid events. As we look to the future of digital events, it’s vital that organizers and marketers are clear on their… more
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Apr 30, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has brought some much-needed positive news, but it will still be months before associations and businesses can plan the large-scale in-person events and trade shows they once did. In the interim, many are opting for virtual or hybrid trade shows, conferences and meetings.
Yet for hybrid events to be successful for both online and in-person participants, meeting planners must encourage engagement for in-person attendees as well as for virtual participants. The entertainment and speakers (talent) provide much of that value and help to ensure continuity of… more
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Apr 27, 2021
It’s the year 2013, we are all thriving after a great few years of growth from the 2008 economic downturn. We are plush with happiness and looking for exciting new ways to grow our events. With great times, come well…a mix of great things and complete complacency. And so, with that we began to throw the idea around of extending the life of our events. How do we make them longer without being boring?
It is now the year 2021…there is nothing else that need be said about the year that shall not be named…you know the one that came before. However, we have learned and grown so much as an industry… more
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Apr 22, 2021
Last year put life into perspective for a lot of us. In a previous blog, I talked about being an agent of change. Now I want to discuss how fast change can bring positive results within your business events models. Whether you dealt with navigating through chaos, strengthening your resiliency muscles or just survived, we all did one thing together and that was change. As much as we changed personally, it goes without saying that the events and hospitality industries also changed significantly.
In what may be an unpopular opinion, I believe that this forced change has a silver lining. We all… more
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Apr 20, 2021
It’s all the buzz lately – hybrid or omnichannel events. Programs and mindsets continuously shift as planners begin to weave together a hybrid event strategy and relaunch in-person experiences. Here are four things to consider as you map out your hybrid planning:
Review Your Registration Standards
As part of the advance registration process, consider updating your terms and conditions to educate all attendees as to what protocols and behaviors will be enforced on-site. It is best practice to review any of your anticipated procedures for enforcement with your own legal counsel to ensure… more
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Apr 15, 2021
Did you know that some European Tax Authorities allow foreign businesses to get a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) incurred during MICE and business travel?
Services that can be reclaimed vary by country but normally include hotel, accommodation, exhibition costs, venue hire, equipment rental, entrance tickets, transportation and meals.
Generally, U.S. companies are eligible to recover VAT in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain (only for the participants of… more
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Apr 13, 2021
The highly anticipated shift back to in-person events is slowly getting underway as meetings and events planners around the globe rejoice. Virtual remains the overarching preference today, but many companies are looking toward later this year and beyond to attempt hybrid, if not fully live events.
Put the enthusiasm under the microscope, though, and it’s no surprise that most planners have a thick layer of caution and concern when it comes to navigating what will certainly be a non-traditional live events environment — at least for a while.
There’s a particular tool planners should strongly… more
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Apr 08, 2021
I love college football. The passion, the pageantry, the roar of the crowd. Few things come close to the excitement reserved for Saturday afternoons in the fall.
Growing up in Central Florida, I was a Gator football fan before I knew how to tie my shoes. When I became a student at the University of Florida, I spent every weekend at The Swamp chanting, cheering on the team and chugging water to offset the heat. I never missed a game.
These days, I prefer to watch from the comfort of my couch. It’s slightly calmer, food prices are more reasonable and it is no less a tradition in our… more
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Apr 06, 2021
As hotels, restaurants and venues begin to reopen, we’re all imagining what post-pandemic events will look like. Many businesses and trade associations have publicly released reopening plans to inspire public confidence and help other businesses learn best practices.
At the same time, thought leaders in many industries, including in meetings and events, are calling to use this global reset as an opportunity to imagine and create a better future.
While I admire an attitude of radical improvement, I’m also sensitive to the hardships facing event professionals, many of whom are out of work or… 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.