MPI Selects Atlantic City for 2016 World Education Congress
May 18, 2015
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Atlantic City, N.J., as the destination for its 2016 World Education Congress (WEC).
The conference will be held June 11-14 at the Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, a Caesars Entertainment property.
“We look forward to hosting our World Education Congress in Atlantic City next year,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI. “When selecting venues for MPI events, we look for destinations that provide great infrastructure, world-class facilities and memorable experiences. Having grown up spending my summers on the Jersey Shore, I am excited for the opportunity to showcase this unique and beautiful destination to our community.”
Held annually, WEC is MPI’s signature event through which it delivers premier education, business and networking opportunities, attracting more than 2,000 attendees including corporate, third party, and association planners, suppliers, students, industry faculty and more.
The association initially planned to hold WEC 2016 in Philadelphia, but recently switched the location due to changes in the space available for the conference. Next year will be the first time MPI has hosted a conference in Atlantic City and the first time in the state of New Jersey.
MPI follows a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process for all of its signature events and considers factors such as location benefits, meeting venue facilities, pricing, hotel offerings, destination accessibility, unique options and local support. The association will work closely with volunteer leaders from both the MPI New Jersey Chapter and the Philadelphia Area MPI Chapter as well as host city partners Meet AC and Caesars Entertainment.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Caesars Entertainment in hosting MPI’s 2016 WEC. This is a strategic direction for Meet AC and for Atlantic City as we continue to diversify our mix of business. Showcasing Atlantic City to over 1,000 meeting planners and over 2,000 total attendees will definitely help us grow the meetings and conventions market,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO of Meet AC.
Atlantic City annually attracts more than 25 million visitors to its shores for both business and pleasure. Scheduled for completion in August 2015, the new Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center’s 100,000 square-feet of meeting space offers a first-class meetings experience with state-of-the-art technology.
“We are extremely honored to welcome Meetings Professional International’s World Education Congress to Atlantic City and the Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center next June,” said Michael Massari, senior vice president of Caesars Entertainment National Meetings and Events. “Cities all across North America vie for the chance each year to welcome WEC to their city, and MPI chose Atlantic City. This decision validates Atlantic City as a serious contender as a meetings destination for meeting planners across the country. Caesars Entertainment has a long and treasured partnership with MPI, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome MPI’s members to Atlantic City and to Harrah’s next summer.”
This year WEC takes place August 1-4 in San Francisco at the Moscone Center.
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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