NPGA Expo Attracts Record Number of Exhibitors, Grows Showfloor
May 5, 2017
The National Propane Gas Association experienced record growth in both size and exhibiting companies at its 70th Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo, held April 21-23 at the Music City Center in Nashville.
Approximately 4,000 propane industry professionals participated in the annual three-day event that attracted more than 250 exhibitors to a nearly sold-out 73,300 sq. ft. expo floor, an increase in size of more than 3 percent compared to 2016, when a record-breaking 4,100 attendees and 140 exhibitors spanned a 71,000 sq. ft. expo – a showfloor increase of 11 percent compared to the previous year.
“The continued growth of the Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo is a clear indicator that Americans want a clean, versatile fuel,” said Mollie O’Dell, NPGA vice president of communications.
She continued, “As exhibitors and attendees gather from across the U.S., the Expo highlights the local aspect of the propane industry. Of the more than 3,000 propane companies in the U.S., more than 70 percent are independent businesses, employing more than 80,000 people. Expo brings these businesses together and the result is a stronger industry that can serve our customers better.”
The NPGA Expo attracted participants from 48 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and 39 foreign countries and territories, according to show officials.
A bustling exhibit hall featured LP-gas appliance, equipment and component manufacturers; vehicle fabricators; tank and cylinder manufacturers; computer hardware, software and technical service providers; producers, brokers and wholesalers of LP-gas; manufacturer representatives and wholesalers; propane transporters and stores; insurance carriers, underwriters and agencies, as well as other providers of goods and services to the LP-gas industry.
Unique showfloor features included nearly 50 vehicle and transporter displays, as well as the United Propane AutoGas Solutions (UPAS) Group’s Autogas Pavilion, which featured 11 exhibitors of manufacturing products, processes, education tools and services specific to the rapidly growing autogas market, while a New Products Showcase, presented in partnership with the Propane Education & Research Council, featured new products and cutting-edge technologies.
Program highlights included a keynote by Staff Sgt. Keni Thomas, former U.S. Army Ranger involved in the battle in Somalia – recounted in the highly successful book and movie Blackhawk Down – who also happens to be award-winning country music artist based in Nashville.
In addition, the event’s educational component offered 28 breakout sessions, eight Fast-Track Sessions, six Propane Technical Workshops, PERC Update Live! and a Women in Propane Roundtable, along with a co-located Leadership Forum presented by the Women in Propane.
The 2018 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo is set to take place April 6-8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and plans to return to Nashville in 2020.
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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