Association Show News
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Sep 09, 2022
Personify, a leading technology solutions provider for associations, nonprofits and event professionals, launched its first-ever A2Z Event Professionals Awards. The new awards program was established to celebrate the agility, creativity and innovation in today’s events and associations industries.
“So many awards are focused on revenue or square footage,” said Rich Vallaster, director of event marketing at Personify. “While those are critical components to an event’s success, recognizing the ideas of all sizes and the people and teams who have had a huge impact in the industry is why we… more
Sep 07, 2022
Creating year-round community engagement has become one of the most important marketing goals for event professionals, and epIQ Creative Group, a marketing agency producing multi-channel systems that drive demand to brands, is aiming to help them achieve it through its latest acquisition.
The company has purchased Community Leaders Institute (CLI), a member-based organization representing thousands of community professionals, including those in the events industry, and plans to create new and exciting opportunities for members to engage and grow.
“CLI, as the foremost independent… more
Aug 30, 2022
A leading exhibit builder and an event planning company recently launched new divisions in an effort to expand their business offerings and help clients boost the performance of their events.
Skyline Exhibits
Skyline Exhibits, a leading trade show exhibit company, unveiled a new live, virtual and hybrid events agency focused on synchronizing live event elements to increase reach and return on investment. Announced on Aug. 16, BrandSync is designed to help brands improve their business performance by joining with their top stakeholders to align messaging, values and direction, and by… more
Aug 26, 2022
Destinations International Launches Industry’s First Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Assessment Tool
Destinations International, the world’s largest association for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus, unveiled a groundbreaking tool to measure equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and discover ways to improve upon the results. The EDI Assessment Tool is designed to help its member organizations understand how EDI has been incorporated into their operational practices as a basis to elevate and integrate performance, and it is also expected to be a model for other entities in the business events industry to embrace.
The tool allows users to… more
Aug 18, 2022
Despite the fact that summer tends to be a slower season for the trade show industry, event-related organizations across the country are sizzling with activity, busily forming new business partnerships and acquisitions as they look toward a robust fall and beyond. Take a look!
ASM Global
Global venue and event strategy and management leader ASM Global has formed a sustainability partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consultant for the hospitality, sports and event industries.
Announced on Aug. 17, the multi-year action plan will enable ASM Global facility owners… more
Aug 14, 2022
The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) has named Vinnie (Vincent) Polito as its next CEO, with his firm, VP International, chosen to take over as the management company for the organization.
Polito will be replacing David Audrain, CEO of Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo), who has run the association with his team for the past seven years.
The selection was recommended by the SISO Executive Committee, which undertook the selection process.
The recommendation was unanimously approved by SISO's Board at its Aug. 11 meeting in Oklahoma City, held in conjunction with the… more
Aug 09, 2022
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have teamed up to launch The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), a new annual hospitality trade show and conference scheduled for June 27-29, 2023 at The Venetian Las Vegas.
Designed to be a comprehensive one-stop-shop for hospitality leaders to meet, learn and conduct business across the entire hospitality ecosystem, the new three-day event is designed to reach AHLA’s expansive membership across all segments of the industry, including leading service providers and suppliers, hotel owners and management companies, and senior… more
Aug 02, 2022
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping association, event and corporate clients evolve from legacy-based to data-driven operating models, mdg, A Freeman Company, has launched a new division dedicated to research, data and insights.
Consisting of data strategists, scientists, analysts and experts specializing in collecting and evaluating market research and intelligence, this newly-formed department’s mission is to help clients capitalize on technological advances to reach new audiences and create more personal and human customer journeys, from marketing campaigns to meaningful… more
Jul 26, 2022
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released its latest flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research report, designed to take the pulse of the global exhibition industry, with results pointing to a continued wave of positivity.
Concluded in June 2022, the 29th edition of the bi-annual survey includes data from 366 companies across 57 countries and regions, and outlooks and analysis for 23 focus countries and regions, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,… more
Jul 18, 2022
After a two-year hiatus, industry leaders, innovators, experts, artists and creators harmoniously reunited at The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference for global music product, pro audio and sound and entertainment technology industry professionals.
Held June 3-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., the streamlined, three-day platform for the $17 billion music products industry pivoted back to face-to-face by welcoming a smaller but serious audience of 46,627 attendees from more than 111 countries and… more
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.