2015 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Unveils Opening Keynote Will Be Josh Linkner
March 30, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives expects nearly 5,500 nonprofit and association professionals to come together Aug. 8-11 for the 2015 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, which will be held at Detroit’s newly renovated Cobo Center.
How can associations harness fresh approaches to all aspects of their work? Opening general speaker Josh Linkner, a business leader, venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur and author, will discuss a systematic process he discovered that increases creativity and produces results.
At the opening keynote, attendees will walk away with practical tools they can use in their own organizations to help deliver bottom-line results.
For the closing general session, Sherry Turkle, a professor, author, consultant, researcher and licensed clinical psychologist, will explore how technology is impacting our social interaction and the cost it has on our personal and work lives. She also will highlight the importance of face-to-face conversations.
New this year, ASAE is offering an Executive Leadership Program, Aspiring CEOs programming, a pre-conference focusing on achieving global growth, and Detroit EduTours.
The three Game Changer sessions are presented by influential leaders in business and innovation. They include:
• Sheryl Connelly, who leads Global Consumer Trends and Futuring for the Ford Motor Company
• Alex Sheen, Founder of because I said I would, a global nonprofit and social movement
• Liz Wiseman, President of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm
“As association professionals, we are looking at how trends will impact our organization and how to create new ideas,” said ASAE President & CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE.
He added, “Linkner and Turkle are strategic thinkers who will give attendees insight on how to cultivate fresh thinking into an organization and how technology is impacting our lives. All the education sessions will provide participants with ideas they can take back to their organization."
For this year’s community service project, ASAE is working with Alternatives For Girls, which helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation. Participants will have an opportunity to read and make bookmarks with the girls, tour the facility, and pack hygiene kits.
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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