AIBTM Attendee Feedback Confirms Value of Face-to-face Meetings
July 9, 2013
At this year’s AIBTM, Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, held in June at Chicago’s McCormick Place, event organizers stood by their theme “Define the Future of Meetings Together” and collected feedback during the “Education Day” sessions from attendees about the value of face-to-face meetings.
Eighty-five percent of those surveyed reported that F2F meetings with suppliers were important prior to doing business, furthering the keynote address’ message (given by J. Walker Smith) that in-person connections still are ruling, even in a digital age.
In addition, 84 percent of respondents said that exhibitions and trade shows have the same or more value to C-suite executives, compared with last year, and 85 percent expressed that large internal meetings provided the same or more value.
The survey also showed that 52 percent of participants prefer external classroom sessions for workforce education and training ROI vs. internal sessions, e-Learning or self-help.
“Feedback from our attendees suggests that in a ‘kinship economy’, face-to face meetings that facilitate familiarity, comfort and trust continue to be one of the most important factors in business success and growth,” said Michael Lyons, Exhibition Director of AIBTM.
AIBTM attendees also found said they value with being onsite at the event.
Cathy Somerville, executive services administrator with Parata, said, “I … just met someone I've been working with for two years, but have never met her face to face.”
Exhibitors indicated that they, too, made the right connections at this year’s event.
Daniel Schwartz, Dubai Tourism Office, North America, said, “We’ve been with AIBTM from the beginning. It has been a positive experience and the appointments have been valuable. We’ve had a range of people with a new interest in Dubai to people who have visited 50 times.”
This year, AIBTM attracted close to 1,000 regional and international Hosted Buyers (subject to an independent ABC audit), with a high percentage of first-time attendees, a 31-percent increase, compared with 2012.
In its third year, the show continues to grow, with the recent one being its largest to date – 707 booths and exhibition partners, 50 of whom were first timers.
The pre-scheduled appointment system also hit new highs, and it is anticipated that approximately 15,000 business meetings took place with Hosted Buyers who had budgets of more than $10.7 billion.
AIBTM is a part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, which also organizers similar hosted buyer events in Spain, the United Arab Emirates and China.
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.
Add new comment