Join Event Relief 2022 to Support Three Industry Causes Devoted to Mental Health and Well-Being
November 17, 2022
While the events industry is bouncing back, the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing challenges event professionals are facing continue to take a toll on their mental health and well-being. To lend a helping hand to those in need, Event Relief 2022, an 11-hour virtual event, will take place on Nov. 29 to raise essential funds for three event industry charities: EventWell, Make It Blue and Meeting Needs.
Founded and led by event professional Dan Assor, creator of The Dan Assor Podcast, the event aims to address one of the biggest obstacles event professionals are struggling with nowadays.
“Mental health-related illness affects one in three event professionals every year,” Assor said. “Mental health services are seeing unprecedented demand, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis is wide-reaching—many people are having to decide whether to heat their homes or buy food, and many are increasingly uncertain whether they will be able to pay their mortgage or rent, which can all have a devastating effect on mental health and well-being.”
Every donation from Event Relief 2022 will go toward helping event professionals who are experiencing personal and financial hardship.
“This event will make a real difference to real people—our event people,” Assor said.
Event Relief will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. GMT, with event industry companies and individuals participating in a combination of fun and informative sessions on the hour, every hour, to raise awareness and donations through creative and imaginative approaches.
Among the participating individuals and companies are Lizzie Williamson, “The Excuse Buster from Down Under,” and Doug Emslie, CEO of Tarsus Group (TSNN’s parent company), who will lead the 8 a.m. Good Morning Booster.
The session will focus on ways to reduce stress, anxiety, overwhelm and other strong emotions through body movement, which produces serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and helps counteract cortisol (the stress hormone). Through mood-uplifting music, participants will be encouraged to stretch, move and dance to start their day.
Other sessions throughout the event will include:
- "Set Your Mind at Ease With New Event Ideas,” with by Merijn Van Buuren of Event Mender and Vanessa Lovatt of Notified
- “Sustainability for the Soul," with Kate Vandenburg of the Business Design Centre and Kyle Soo of B Lab UK
- "The Problem, The Founder's Journey,” with Adam Jones of FFAIR, Tamar Beck of Gleanin and Joe Atkinson of Lineup Ninja
- "The Great Big Event Industry Quiz," with Clear Path Analysis
- "Pilates For Beginners," with Shocklogic featuring Karen Perea
- "Why Working With Influencers Can Drive Awareness and Registrations for Your Event," with Gordon Glenister
- "The events industry through the eyes of future event profs," with University of East London
- "Finding Calm Amongst the Chaos: An Introduction to Mindfulness,” with Lucy Woods of Presence of Mind
- "Would I Lie to You?" with Easyfairs
- “Expo Stars Unplugged,” with Lee Ali of Expo Stars, featuring music from Lea Volpe
- “Yoga With Nineteen Group,” with Becca Brown of Nature’s Healing
- Chats with representatives of EventWell, Make It Blue and Meeting Needs
About the Organizations
EventWell is a charitable social enterprise dedicated to cultivating mental health awareness, with the aim of campaigning, educating and supporting better mental health and well-being in the event industry. Pledge by EventWell offers grant giving and financial support to any event professional experiencing personal struggles or hardship.
Make it Blue, a community interest company started by the U.K. events and entertainment industry, aims to support colleagues and others in need, and promote mental health awareness through arts, culture and entertainment projects. The company generates funds to support selected charities and creative engagement projects that have a specific focus on mental health and well-being.
Meeting Needs is a registered charity founded by leading figures in the U.K. conference and events industry. The objective of Meeting Needs is to raise funds for worthy causes relevant to the events industry.
Event Relief 2022 will be streamed live here and on Assor’s YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. To donate, click here.
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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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