Jul 12, 2017
Cobo Center has entered into an eight-year contract with the North American International Auto Show that will keep one of the U.S.’s largest and world’s most influential auto shows in downtown Detroit through 2025, according to Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center.
“With the leadership and work of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), along with SMG, Cobo Center is truly a world-class venue,” said Rod Alberts, NAIAS executive director.
He continued, “The significant renovation (at Cobo Center) has allowed the auto show to expand our footprint and has… more
Jul 10, 2017
Instead of nine different credentials for workers to use in order to move around in the San Diego Convention Center, the venue now will have just one credential - the ESCA Exhibition Industry Worker Identification System WIS Badge.
“We are pleased to announce that the San Diego Convention Center is now the 17th U.S. venue to implement the ESCA Worker Identification System (WIS),” said Mitt Arnaudet, WIS National Administrator and ESCA Member Services Director.
He added, “We are in discussions with many other facilities and will be announcing the 18th venue later this month.”
ESCA is the… more
Jun 06, 2017
SMG, known for its management of convention centers and venues, has scored a management contract for a whopping 4.3 million square foot convention center in Shenzhen, China.
The Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center is set to become one of the largest convention centers in the world. It also will be SMG’s new flagship venue in China’s growing trade show market.
“We are honored by our selection, which reflects our unique combination of resources, relationships and expertise in the industry,” said SMG President and CEO Wes Westley.
He added, “We look forward to operating a world-… more
May 30, 2017
How many convention centers can boast having their very own farm, not to mention a slew of beehives pumping out delicious honey for in-house menus and catering? And out of those select few, how many facilities also have an enthusiastic young college intern ready and willing to help with beekeeping and farmhand duties?
The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland is fortunate enough to be such a venue, with a sustainable working farm situated on a quarter acre of land at the north end of the property.
Operated by Levy and SMG, the “Real FarmVille” is home to 500,000-1.5 million… more
May 16, 2017
The Minneapolis Convention Center now is using a recently installed stormwater storage system that is expected to keep an estimated 5.4 million gallons of rainwater from running off and flowing into the Mississippi River each year.
A series of large rainwater storage pipes with a total storage capacity of 250,000 gallons have been buried under the facility’s marshaling yard, where they will collect runoff from 10 acres of the building’s roof and store it in a network of 10- and 11-foot diameter corrugated steel pipes until needed for irrigation.
As the primary source of water for the… more
May 11, 2017
Imagine you’re at a large trade show in a giant convention center among throngs of people and you’re starting to feel tired and stressed.
Instead of just grinning and bearing it, you’ve arranged to take a break and venture to the facility’s green roof, where a sprawling garden of plants and flowers, along with birds, bees and butterflies, awaits you.
As you drink in the serene, meadow-like landscape and beautiful city views, you enjoy a leisurely stroll, breathe in some fresh air and suddenly realize you’re not feeling nearly as tired or stressed out anymore. In fact, after just a few… more
May 10, 2017
Monterey Bay is upping their game with a multi-project renovation and expansion of various meeting spaces in the area.
Whether you are looking for a good conference venue, offsite meeting spaces, locations for group activities or venues for incentive trips and team building, Monterey Bay is ready to deliver.
The new Monterey Bay Conference Center: Nestled in the downtown area and only steps away from the waterfront, the Monterey Bay Conference Center is undergoing a transformation.
“We are in the final stages of our $60 million renovation to the 40,000 square feet of interior space here at… more
Apr 27, 2017
The San Diego Convention Center has taken its environmental ambitions to the next level by achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
As one of the most popular and well-respected green building certification programs used worldwide, LEED is known as the foremost rating program for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and communities.
During a public celebration to mark this important milestone for the facility, San Diego Mayor Faulconer praised the venue’s efforts in achieving the benchmark environmental… more
Mar 30, 2017
Nursing mothers now have a couple of private sanctuaries to retreat to when attending conventions and meetings at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
The SMG-managed facility has installed two portable lactation suites for female attendees and exhibitors wishing to breast feed their infants or use breast pumps in privacy.
“We are offering the new lactation suites during conventions, meetings, and trade shows to offer comfort and convenience for our guests,” said Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the HCCC.
He continued, “Young mothers have had to utilize public restroom spaces or… more
Mar 28, 2017
In order to meet the growing needs of convention groups, retain existing clients and compete with other similar-sized destinations for group business, more and more cities and their convention and visitors bureaus are recognizing the importance of investing in convention center upgrade and expansion projects.
The city of Cincinnati, Ohio is such a destination. The Queen City is setting its sights on expanding the 49-year-old Duke Energy Convention Center, which was renovated in 2006 but hasn’t undergone a significant exhibition space expansion in nearly three decades.
At the Cincinnati USA… more
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.