International Association of Exhibitions and Events Names Megan Tanel 2014 Chair, Unveils Board of Directors Appointments
December 17, 2014
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ 2014 Chairperson Jonathan "Skip” Cox passed the gavel to chairperson-elect Megan Tanel, vice president of exhibitions and events at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, at the Annual Networking Business Luncheon and Awards Ceremony held during Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition last week in Los Angeles.
"I look forward to contributing to a robust agenda of advocacy, education development, global expansion and increasing engagement of all members during my term as IAEE Chairperson in 2015," Tanel said.
She added, "I am a passionate advocate for the power of exhibitions and could not feel more honored to serve IAEE in its mission to promote the importance and value of the exhibitions and events industry."
At AEM, Tanel is responsible for overseeing AEM trade shows and show partnerships, U.S. and globally, and association education/meeting programs.
She also has served as director of AEM's CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition, which focuses on construction equipment and materials and is the largest event of its type in the Western Hemisphere.
Tanel has served as IAEE Education Committee Chair, is a graduate of the IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, and \ is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
IAEE welcomes its newest members of the IAEE Board of Directors: Director Robert "Bob" McLean, Jr., CPA, Executive Vice President, Promotional Products Association International; Director Robert "Bob" Morgan, General Manager, Dulles Expo Center and Director Stephen "Steve" Sind, President & CEO, Global Event Strategies, LLC.
Ex-officio directors include Walter Yeh, Executive Vice President, TAITRA – Taiwan External Trade Development Council representing the IAEE Asia Exhibition Council; Britton Jones, President & CEO, Business Journals, Inc. representing the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR); and Ex-officio Greg McCormack, CEM, Director of National Sales, T3 Expo representing the Robert L. Krakoff seat.
Continuing directors include Immediate Past Chairperson Skip Cox, President, Exhibit Surveys, Inc.; Chairperson-Elect Julia Smith, CEM, CTA, Senior Vice President of National Sales, Global Experience Specialists (GES); Secretary/Treasurer Daniel McKinnon, CEM, Vice President, Client Services - Global, FreemanXP; Vicki Bedi, Director, PSBedi & Co Pvt Ltd; Thomas Cindric, Jr., CEM, Vice President, Hanley Wood Exhibitions; Christopher McCabe, Executive Vice President, Emerald Expositions; Martin Moggre, CEM, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, Expositions, Freeman; Manolita Moore, MBA, Owner/Managing Director, Las Vegas Show Management, LLC; Susan Schwartz, CEM, Managing Director, ConvExx; and Ryan Strowger, CEM, Vice President of Exhibitions, Conferences and Sales, International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA). Continuing ex-officio members of the board include Kristin Barranger, CEM, Manager, Expositions & Communications, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), representing the Chapter Leaders Council and Chris Nemchek, Senior Vice President, Sales & Exhibitions, Specialty Food Association, Inc. represents the IAEE MATSO Council.
Members of IAEE's Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis by the official voting member of each IAEE member company. All officers serve a term of one year, except the secretary/treasurer who holds office for two years. The directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, each to serve three years in staggered terms to ensure continuity in the governance of the association.
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.
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