Connect To Converge In Motor City Next Summer
October 13, 2021
Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect, is gearing up to welcome a pre-pandemic number of event professionals to its signature summer marketplace conference and trade show in Detroit next year. Set for Aug. 8-10, 2022 at TCF Center, Connect Detroit expects to attract approximately 4,000 decision-making planners and suppliers, who will gather together to meet, network, do business and experience all that the city has to offer for meeting and event groups.
The annual August conference will once again draw in attendees from four main market segments: corporate, association, specialty and sports, with BizBash, Connect’s sister company, collocating with the event.
“We’re very excited to be coming to Detroit next year,” said Chris Collinson, president of Connect. “Not only is Detroit known as the Motor City, but it’s also a place where business gets done. We can’t wait to help connect the right planners with suppliers. And by partnering with Visit Detroit, we know this will be a show that nobody forgets.”
Along with its signature reverse-style trade show for one-on-one appointments, the conference will host its largest traditional trade show to date on a showfloor featuring a variety of creative activations.
Using a thorough vetting process to make sure that only top-quality event professionals qualify to take appointments, Connect’s qualified planners use the company’s expert matchmaking system to ensure that they meet with the right destinations, hotels and other venues capable of hosting their future events.
Also on tap at the conference will be an enticing menu of celebrity keynotes and industry event veterans delivering engaging and inspiring content. Notable individuals who have previously spoken at Connect events include former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as star athletes Simone Biles, Peyton Manning, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Phelps, and famed personalities such as Nicole Kidman and Anderson Cooper.
Connect Detroit expects that its keynote speakers will fall into the same high-end category.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Connect is heading to Detroit,” said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “Connect will put thousands of decision-makers in our city, which is a huge opportunity for us to ensure Detroit is on their radar for future meetings and sports events.”
He continued, “Detroit is a revitalized, vibrant and friendly destination, and seasoned when it comes to hosting successful meetings and events. Our hospitality industry is committed to using all of our resources to create an unforgettable experience for Connect attendees.”
According to Connect officials, Connect conferences, which typically attract from 3,000-4,000 attendees, mean thousands of jobs for host communities, ranging from chefs and cleaning crews to restaurant workers and travel and tourism staff.
Connect 2021, which took place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Tampa, Fla., drew approximately 2,500 event professionals, and in May of next year, the company will be launching a new signature event in Puerto Rico, which expects to attract more than 2,000 attendees.
Hosted buyer registration is now open for Connect Detroit. Meeting planners can click here to register, and sports planners and rights holders can click here to register.
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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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