Marketing Firm mdg Expands Its Footprint with Chicago Office Opening
May 24, 2017
Trade show marketing firm mdg has expanded its foorptint by opening a new office in Chicago to service several clients based in the area.
The downtown office will be led by Leana Salamah, account strategist and executive director, who has experience on both sides of the client/agency relationship.
Salamah was proactively recruited by ownership to serve as a strategic lead for existing Chicago clients and to be a resource for other association and for-profit event clients looking for audience acquisition solutions.
“Chicago, with its reputation as a world-class event destination and association headquarters, is an ideal location for mdg,” Salamah said.
She added, “By bringing the in-person component of the agency brand to the Midwest, we are better positioned to help these organizations achieve a broad range of objectives - from audience acquisition to membership development."
Some of the clients the Chocago office will serve include the National Restaurant Association, ISSA, BAI, the International Carwash Association and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
mdg owners Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes and Vincent Polito said they believe in creating a footprint in the markets they serve, having opened branch offices in Washington, D.C., in 2013 and Reston, VA, in 2014.
“Our largest concentration of clients is still in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area, but next on the list is Chicago,” Hardcastle-Geddes said.
She added, “This move will facilitate more face-to-face interaction between mdg and current and prospective clients, which, after all, is the driving force of the events industry itself.”
Polito echoed the sentiment and said, “Over the past couple of years, mdg has developed quite a bit of new business from clients in Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. As such, we want to ensure that we are readily available for meetings to discuss everything from big-picture strategy to day-to-day tactical execution to evaluating the results of our campaigns.”
The Chicago office will be staffed by a team of marketing strategists and live event experts and will be supported by mdg specialists (messaging, branding, digital, international marketing, VIP attendee acquisition, etc.) from the East and West Coast offices.
"mdg's presence in Chicago speaks to our city's importance as a leader in the meetings industry and will enhance Chicago's attractiveness to Midwest-based organizations in this space, as well as those looking for their next event venue,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.
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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