Jun 10, 2020
With major cities starting to reopen and some face-to-face events preparing to get back to business, we’re all seeking guidance on how to slowly and safely resume business as usual. Three leading event industry organizations have released complementary health and safety guidelines to assist show organizers, general service contractors and venue operators in safely planning and producing exhibitions during and following a global health crisis. Take note of these resources:
IAEE
On June 5, IAEE released “Essential Considerations for Safely Reopening Exhibitions and Events, Version One.”
“… more
Jun 08, 2020
Growth of the exhibition industry plunged more than 15 percent during the first quarter of 2020 during which 72.6 percent of events originally scheduled for the second half of March were canceled, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.
The remaining 27.4 percent of the events were postponed and some of those events may eventually be canceled as well.
The massive negative growth was tracked by the CEIR Total Index, a measure of exhibition industry performance, which also reported a modest 0.3 percent year-over-year gain of inflation-adjusted GDP.
The GDP results had… more
Jun 08, 2020
The unjust killing of Black American George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 by a police officer has sparked nationwide protests over civil injustice. Amid a time when the events industry was already struggling with great change, due to forced event cancellations and reorganization of many companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are now also questioning their own approach to diversity. Few are more qualified to speak to this important topic than Jason Dunn, chairman of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals and an industry diversity leader as group vice president of… more
Jun 05, 2020
Even a pandemic couldn’t stop the exhibitions and events industry from gathering to observe the seventh annual Exhibitions Day, held virtually for the first time on June 3. Instead of a 100-person delegation of event colleagues traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and policy influencers, the online day of action drew in more than 1,600 participants.
Produced by IAEE and the Exhibitions Mean Business campaign, the one-day event is designed to mobilize industry professionals to raise awareness with elected officials of the $101 billion industry’s impact on local, national and… more
Jun 04, 2020
As the country slowly opens back up for business, plans for safely restarting events are shaping up. Yesterday, June 3, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando presented its Recovery and Resiliency Plan to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, focusing on its three-pronged strategy to safeguard clients, attendees and employees at events.
Developed in accordance with policy recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Orange County Government, and state and federal mandates, the OCCC’s Recovery and Resiliency Plan relies on the best available data, science… more
Jun 03, 2020
Connect, the Atlanta-based producer of live events for meeting planners and the travel and tourism industry, has stepped out as a leader in creating contingency plans to meet the industry’s needs as it recovers from the COVID-19 crisis. The company’s latest announcements include robust health and safety protocols as the launch of a new digital platform — Connect Express — for suppliers unable to attend Connect Marketplace 2020, which is set for Aug. 17-19 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Due to travel restrictions, budget concerns and other challenges facing many event… more
Jun 03, 2020
Global DMC Partners, the largest global network of independent destination management companies, has released the results of its most recent Meetings & Events Pulse Survey, which sheds light on the widespread impact the COVID-19 global pandemic has had on the MICE industry.
Conducted April 27-May 4, the survey polled 374 respondents from the meetings and events industry, of which 93 percent were event planners versus vendors or suppliers. Participants included third-party planners (30 percent; independent meeting planners (16 percent); associations (13 percent); and planners in the… more
May 28, 2020
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the trade show industry globally, but in the past week or two, there have been several big steps forward to start meeting in person again.
Some shows, suppliers and associations have released health and safety plans on how they are going to look after attendees and exhibitors coming to their events or venues.
Properties in Las Vegas also announced plans for several hotel/casinos that will be opening initially for leisure travel beginning June 4. Everyone is crossing their fingers that all goes well and trade shows and meetings are not… more
May 28, 2020
Earlier this month, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council announced the GBAC STAR facility accreditation, which establishes protocols, procedures and systems for event facilities like convention centers to help control risk associated with infectious agents, such as COVID-19. Complementing that accreditation is a new set of guidelines from event experience company PSAV that is designed to be part of a system to help event venues adapt to the changing landscape for meetings and events.
MeetSAFE, announced earlier this month, is a set of tools focused on redesigning events to deliver on the… more
May 27, 2020
Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group has cancelled four of its 2020 restaurant, foodservice and specialty coffee trade shows in California, Florida and Illinois due to COVID-19 concerns and government-issued State of Emergency orders.
“We are saddened and disappointed we have to cancel our industry events; however, in light of both government direction and general public health advisories, we believe it is not possible at this time for a safe public gathering,” said Tom Loughran, vice president of the Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group, which produces 37 events across 13 trade… 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.