Jun 13, 2017
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Board of Directors gave final approval for the $1.4 billion expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center, paving the way for 600,000 new square feet of meeting space.
“Today marks a monumental occasion for not only the LVCVA, but also the entire destination,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA President and CEO.
He added, “We commend the foresight of our community and state leaders for recognizing the importance of the LVCCD and we are eager to get to work! We will ensure that the LVCVA continues to provide the world-class… more
Jun 12, 2017
The Consumer Technology Association will feature Smart Cities as a new area of focus at CES®, which will include a dedicated Marketplace (exhibit area) and a full schedule of related conference programming.
Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2018 is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies.
"We are thrilled to announce our new Smart Cities Marketplace and conference at CES 2018. Connected and smart technologies are making our cities more efficient, sustainable and responsive through the use of data to enable better processes and decision making,"… more
Jun 12, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has unveiled Fira Barcelona as the winner of its annual Sustainable Development Award.
The theme of this year’s competition, “Best destination approach to implementing sustainability”, was chosen in order to recognize initiatives that combine the efforts of a destination, in partnership with a professional exhibition operator, to implement sustainability around an individual exhibition or a series of events.
The award jury was composed of Members of the UFI Sustainable Development Committee and Dianne Young, Chair of the UFI… more
Jun 10, 2017
For the fourth year in a row, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events spearheaded #ExhibitionsDay, held June 6-7 in Washington, D.C., at which 112 trade show professionals had more than 100 face-to-face meetings with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.
"The 4th Annual Exhibitions Day was a tremendous success, as we realized a 30-percent increase in participation of IAEE members who joined us in Washington, D.C., to make important calls on Congressional staff,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, CTA, FASAE
He added, “This year's issues were very… more
Jun 08, 2017
Urban Expositions scooped up the U.S. Coffee Fest event portfolio from Lifestyle Events, which includes the 2017 Coffee Fest Chicago and Portland events, along with the 2018 Baltimore and Denver shows.
Coffee Fest trade shows launched 25 years ago and focus on the coffee, tea and beverage industry.
“We are pursuing strategic opportunities to grow our business, and specifically our foodservice and hospitality sector. These shows perfectly align with the profile and growth potential we were hoping to add to this portfolio,” said Craig Dooley, president and CEO, Urban… more
Jun 08, 2017
According to PCMA’s recently released Convene 2017 Annual Salary Survey, most meeting professionals are happy to be working in the profession, 75 percent have earned an average increase of six percent within the last year and nearly 40 percent are dissatisfied with their salaries.
Published last month in Convene, the survey has served as an industry benchmark for several decades.
Completed by more than 800 association, corporate and independent meeting professionals last March, the survey found that the average salary for the role is nearly $82,000, about 2 percent higher than the average… more
Jun 07, 2017
Houston First Corporation’s supplier diversity program has experienced its biggest increase in participation numbers since the program’s genesis almost five years ago.
Participation by small, minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) for 2016 measured at 41 percent, an increase of nine percent, compared with its 32 percent participation rate in 2015.
The program consistently has surpassed the 30 percent participation goal HFC established in 2012, when the program was launched with the intention of maximizing the number of suppliers able to provide quality goods and… more
Jun 06, 2017
SMG, known for its management of convention centers and venues, has scored a management contract for a whopping 4.3 million square foot convention center in Shenzhen, China.
The Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center is set to become one of the largest convention centers in the world. It also will be SMG’s new flagship venue in China’s growing trade show market.
“We are honored by our selection, which reflects our unique combination of resources, relationships and expertise in the industry,” said SMG President and CEO Wes Westley.
He added, “We look forward to operating a world-… more
Jun 06, 2017
Music China, Asia’s prominent music trade event, is set to take place Oct. 11-14 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
Benefiting from China’s promising MI market, the 2017 show is expected to exceed last year’s scale and expands to 11 halls, covering 125,000 sqm of exhibition space (2016: 112,000 sqm in 10 halls). With full support from the global music industry, over 90% of exhibition space has been reserved to date.
China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016 – 2020) has positioned the cultural industry as one of the key pillars of the national economy and highlighted the importance of the… more
Jun 06, 2017
The IMEX Group has been ramping up its efforts to create a greener, cleaner and less wasteful trade show industry.
As evidenced by the results of the IMEX America 2016 Sustainability Survey, conducted by the IMEX Group and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) prior to last year’s IMEX America, many event organizers are also doing their part to lessen the environmental impact of their meetings and events.
According to the survey, released June 2 to tie-in with World Environment Day on June 5, 72 percent of event planners have increased their environmental efforts within the last five… 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.