Events Industry Veteran Mary Larkin Joins Arc as Americas CEO
March 29, 2023
Global B2B events, data and media platform Arc, which is backed by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, has tapped 25-year events industry veteran Mary Larkin as Americas CEO and Executive Committee member. In her new leadership role, she will be responsible for leading the company’s Americas businesses on its growth journey and will work alongside Americas Executive Vice President Tim Hart to further develop Arc’s North American business.
The announcement comes on the heels of two U.S.-based acquisitions that Arc has made within the past seven months that have added substantial scale to the business and added a large international footprint to the network. These include HighQuest Group, which includes media and events in agribusiness and investing sectors, and ETC, the HR technology and education media and events portfolios of LRP.
“I’m delighted to welcome Mary to Arc,” said Simon Foster, Arc Group CEO. “She brings a wealth of experience in growing event portfolios and developing strong content-centric membership communities. I have long admired the passion and commitment that Mary brings to the industry, to her customers and to her teams. I’m looking forward to working with her on developing our U.S. business and having her counsel and experience on our Executive Committee.”
An events and media industry veteran for more than two and a half decades, Larkin joins Arc from Diversified Communications, where she has served as the U.S. lead for the past five years, building her career through brand, portfolio and divisional leadership roles. She has worked across several B2B sectors, including overseeing Diversified’s flagship seafood group, where she was responsible for national and international development, and expansion of the portfolio and industry news platforms.
An active member of the events community, Larkin has served as chair of industry associations UFI and SISO. She is an avid supporter of cross-industry initiatives promoting women in events, increasing diversity and inclusion and promoting event sustainability.
“Arc has posted an impressive track record in building its platform, but I am particularly excited to join the network because it has chosen to build with strong, community-focused brands in responsible and sustainable sectors,” Larkin said. “This is a group that is focused on the long-term success of the communities it serves as well as that of the brands and teams who passionately deliver those meaningful connections.”
She added, “There is so much potential with these incredible products and the wider network, and I am looking forward to working with the team to develop the possibilities.”
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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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