Giving Back
TSNN is shining a bright, well-deserved spotlight on event companies that are #GivingBack to make a positive impact in their host and home communities.
Is your company #GivingBack? Tweet us using the #GivingBack hashtag to @TSNN_com_us and we’ll feature what your company is doing to help make the world a better place!
Jul 25, 2019
Event groups searching for the right venue that can accommodate and welcome special-needs attendees need look no further than MGM Resorts International. The resort company, which maintains a culture and mission of inclusion, recently hosted the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention July 7 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The property team underwent extensive preparation and training to ensure the event’s 3,284 attendees had an unforgettable experience.
As the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people, NFB had never taken its convention to Las… more
Jul 19, 2019
Greater Columbus Convention Center, managed by SMG, is now Certified Sensory Inclusive — the first convention in the convention center to earn this certification.
KultureCity, which issues the certification, is a non-profit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, that works toward creating sensory-inclusive venues. It’s meant to assist individuals with sensory challenges, such as those with autism, dementia, PTSD and similar health concerns, navigate such venues often affected by excess noise.
Sensory-sensitive guests of the GCCC can now enjoy events in the venue, thanks to this effort… more
Jul 10, 2019
Taking strides to make a positive difference in the world is becoming more and more common in the events industry now, with many venues, organizations and companies joining forces with national charitable efforts or creating their own CSR initiatives to help foster a more compassionate and inclusive society. Here are a few examples to be inspired by!
Javits Center Lights Up with Pride
New York City’s Javits Center recently celebrated its support for the LGBTQ+ community by participating in an inaugural five-borough rainbow lighting celebration to honor the queer community and the first… more
Jun 25, 2019
For the third year in a row, Cobo Center has kicked off its Cobo Cares program, which offers free exercise, networking and community engagement opportunities to local workers and residents in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Launched in early May, the 2019 Cobo Cares season offers 13 exercise activities at the convention center through October, including Zumba, yoga and workout classes coupled with opportunities to give back to local nonprofit agencies that support needy area citizens.
“The Cobo Cares program is a wonderful way to gather together and give back to our community while having… more
May 28, 2019
You know that incorporating corporate social responsibility activities during your events can be a win-win all around – for your attendees, charities in destinations that host your events, the destinations themselves, and of course, your organization. Yet you might be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.
While incorporating CSR can seem daunting, there are more resources than ever available to support planners in this process. To help inspire you to take that next step, Tammi Runzler, co-founder of CSRConnections, a corporate social responsibility company that helps match up… more
May 07, 2019
Many trade show-related suppliers and organizations are making incredible strides toward creating a more equitable and compassionate world through corporate social responsibility initiatives and activities.
The Vancouver Convention Center and Tourism Vancouver were recently recognized as Social Procurement Champions by Exchange Inner City and Buy Social Canada for demonstrating excellence in social procurement –– the intentional purchase of goods and/or services that result in positive change.
“We are honored to be recognized for our practice of social procurement, an initiative that we… more
Apr 24, 2019
For the past few weeks, Events for Namuwongo sought industry support to help its short film “Events for Namuwongo – The Work” win the People’s Choice, Charity Film of the year at the Charity Film Awards, which was held April 26 at the new etc.venues in London.
While it didn’t win the title, there are still many reasons to watch the film, which covers EFN’s life-changing work to improve the living conditions and youth educational opportunities in the underprivileged community of Namuwongo in Uganda.
After 60,000 public votes were cast across 400 different charities, a team of expert judges… more
Apr 10, 2019
Javits Center has expanded and extended its Javits Juniors Scholarship Program, designed to support the higher education of local high school students while encouraging them to seek ways of improving their community through public service and innovative thinking.
Now in its second year, the program will award five $5,000 college scholarships to three students at Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction and two students at High School of Fashion Industries, both located on Manhattan’s West Side.
“These scholarships have a tremendous impact on the future of these students, and we are… more
Mar 20, 2019
Charity is an obligation, not an option, according to Jerry Hellmann, co-CEO of AFR Furniture Rental, a national furniture rental company that provides furnishings for homes, offices, special events and trade shows, while also making corporate social responsibility a top company-wide initiative.
“Working charitably in our communities and within our industry is a part of the woven tapestry that is AFR Furniture Rental,” Hellmann says. “It’s not just words – it’s action.”
Exemplifying the company’s dedication to giving back to those in need in the communities it serves, Together We Can is AFR… more
Feb 27, 2019
Myriad event-related companies and organizations are demonstrating their cultures of compassion by donating their time, money and energy to causes that make a difference. Here are four carrying out initiatives that might just inspire your own CSR programming.
International Home + Housewares Show Celebrates Philanthropy
At its upcoming 2019 Annual Housewares Cares Charity Gala, taking place March 4 during the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, the Housewares Charity Foundation will honor four industry veterans for their philanthropic endeavors.
Honorees… 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.