Destinations International, IAEE and PCMA Announce Inaugural Business Events Industry Week
December 10, 2021
Destinations International, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will launch Business Events Industry Week, aimed at bringing the global events industry to the U.S. Capital region and consolidating several important annual gatherings into one week.
The inaugural Business Events Industry Week, taking place March 23-25, 2022, at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., will be dedicated to community, commerce, content, awards and advocacy in order to unite the global business events industry and to reinforce the power of business events to advance economies and social good. The week is intended for participants to optimize their time with clients and engage with exceptional learning experiences.
The inaugural Business Events Industry Week will convene all who are integral in staging successful business events outcomes, including associations, corporations, destination organization professionals, industry suppliers and business events strategists. The action-packed week will be curated with client meetings and exciting events to celebrate industry visionaries.
The following industry events will coincide with Business Events Industry Week:
- Destinations International’s Convention Sales and Services Summit will be held Wednesday, March 23, as will a series of PCMA leadership meetings.
- The PCMA Foundation’s Visionary Awards will be held Thursday, March 24.
- IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum will also be held Thursday, March 24.
- Destination Showcase, a joint venture between Destinations International and PCMA since 2019, will be held Friday, March 25.
Launching the inaugural Business Events Industry Week was in response to what members and participants have been asking for, according to Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of PCMA.
“Covid-19 has accelerated many things in our industry, and participants around the world, regardless of sector and whether they are associations or corporations, are seeking to participate in events that bring them value and allow them to achieve their business and professional objectives,” Karamat said.
Karamat added that Business Events Industry Week is even more important considering that the pandemic has also accelerated most industries’ 2030 plan to “now.”
“The business events industry is no exception, which requires bold leadership and bold ideas that are transformative and deliver new value for the current time,” he said. “Combining Destinations International’s Sales and Services Summit, IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum, PCMA’s Visionary Awards and Destination Showcase into one location delivers on what our community asked for: professional and business development that is convenient and is an intersection of thinking and ideas from a vast array of participants to challenge the way we do business and increase our competitive advantage.”
For more information on Business Events Industry Week, click here.
Photo: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.
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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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