Producing Carbon-Neutral Events: A Guide to Sustainable Event Planning with ConferenceDirect’s Larry Hanson

ConferenceDirect's voyage towards producing a carbon-neutral event wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. "This journey started four years ago when we committed to a 30% reduction by 2030," said Larry Hanson, chief marketing and sustainability officer for ConferenceDirect, a meeting and event management firm that manages more than 1,000 conferences globally.

EDPA ACCESS 2024 Preview: Collaboration and Knowledge-Sharing Will Take Center Stage in Palm Desert, Calif.

Celebrating 70 years with the theme of “Innovate. Elevate. Collaborate,” the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) is gearing up to host EDPA ACCESS 2024, its annual meeting and conference for event designers, producers, and key industry suppliers.

Inside the UFI Americas Conference: Insights and Highlights

The UFI Americas Conference, held Sept. 10-12 at Cintermex, brought together 170 exhibition industry leaders from across North, Central, and South America for a landmark event in Monterrey, Mexico. This union marked a significant milestone as it was the first occasion where UFI members and industry experts from these regions were brought together under one event.

Exploring Global Growth Opportunities in the Events Industry

Submitted by lpsavas@tsnn.com on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 14:38

Horace Greeley once famously said, "Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country." Although Greeley made this statement in 1833 as the founder of the New York Tribune, the sentiment resonated with me during my recent visits to three global industry events in Philadelphia, Manchester, U.K., and Singapore. Today, Greeley’s advice could just as easily encourage entrepreneurs to look both East and West for new opportunities. 

How Hurricane Milton Is Impacting Florida’s Business Events Industry

As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.

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HERE, EVENTS HELP YOUR COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY
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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