News
Nov 07, 2019
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is reaching more industry professionals around the world than ever before. On Nov. 6, UFI members from more than 50 countries converged for the 2019 UFI General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, to review the organization’s work throughout the past year, as well as discuss plans for 2020.
The meeting precedes UFI’s 86th annual Global Congress, which boasts more than 550 registered participants this year, making it the largest in UFI’s history and matching the record number of attendees at the 2016 Congress in Shanghai, China.
Chaired by… more
Nov 06, 2019
Have you ever hired a photographer for an event (or worse, used your own smartphone) and wound up with very few photos you could actually use? Event photography is an important component of capturing the trade show or conference, but often it’s something that planners don’t spend much time thinking about aside from sourcing a photographer.
Professional event photographer Chris Savas, who owns and operates Chris Savas Photography in the Atlanta area, has been in the business for more than 30 years. He worked as a photojournalist and in advertising for more than a decade before switching his… more
Nov 05, 2019
November is only just getting started, but it’s already a busy month for new hires and promotions. Check out the latest people moves in the trade show industry.
Los Angeles-based venue management and services company ASM Global announced a new executive leadership team that will report to Bob Newman, president and CEO. The team includes Mark Rozells, CFO; Chuck Steedman, executive vice president of strategy and business development for arenas and stadiums; Gregg Caren, executive vice president of sales and business development for convention centers; Doug Thornton, executive vice president… more
Nov 05, 2019
Show organizers are always looking for new ways to grow their events and generate new revenue. Whether they’re innovating on their on-site experience, expanding their show digitally or tackling new verticals, it’s a revolving cycle of expansion. But, one of the most important and underused resources is your event technology provider. Not only your vendor, your event tech provider holds deep insight into your show and more importantly, the ability to help you improve it.
Here are a few different ways your event technology provider can help you optimize your show and expand your potential… more
Nov 04, 2019
Each year, Global DMC Partners, a global network of independently owned destination management companies and creative event experts, releases a Global Destination Index. The index ranks the top destinations around the world for meetings, conferences and incentives based on data collected from nearly 7,000 programs in more than 500 destinations.
Last month, the 2020 index revealed what will be the hottest destinations for the year to come — but the impact goes deeper than just where to plan next. Planners who bring their conferences and events to these cities will not only be providing an… more
Nov 01, 2019
Following an insightful session on leadership at IMEX, I was surprised to see a woman in a white doctor’s coat enter the room. “Everyone, stand up!” she said. Oh, great, I thought to myself — is this going to be one of those awkward, “go introduce yourself to someone new” activities? It turned out to be something much more fun.
Sarah Routman, founder of the company Laugh Healthy and a self-proclaimed “laugh doctor,” proceeded to lead our group in a new-to-me kind of exercise: laughter yoga. We practiced forced laughter, pretended to toss an imaginary laughing emoji up in the air, focused on… more
Oct 31, 2019
If the future’s in their hands, it looks pretty bright. Last week, PCMA announced its annual class of the brightest, most talented association professionals around the globe, including leaders from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The class is supported by the PCMA Foundation along with Experience Columbus and will be honored at the PCMA Convening Leaders conference, Jan. 5-8, 2020 at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
“This group represents our industry’s future, and the PCMA Foundation is dedicated to recognizing the efforts and achievements of those who want to help demonstrate the… more
Oct 30, 2019
Several hotel brands and convention centers are jumping on the green bandwagon to help the environment and people in need through an array of sustainability and CSR initiatives.
TCF Center Snags LEED Gold Certification
Detroit’s TCF Center has been awarded LEED Gold Certification, making it the largest LEED-certified building in the state of Michigan. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is considered the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health… more
Oct 29, 2019
Organised by the Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Company, the 25th edition of Furniture China – the China International Furniture Expo attracted over 170,000 attendees from 160 countries and regions.
Among the attendees, a total of more than 21,000 were from overseas. The four-day show ran from 9th to 12th September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) covering an area of 350,000 m2 and featured 3,500 exhibitors.
Concurrent shows included Maison Shanghai and Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China (FMC China). FMC China featured 40,000 m2 of… more
Oct 29, 2019
In the face of ongoing protests in Hong Kong, B2B media company, Global Sources, opened its Mobile Electronics trade show at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) on 18th October. Featuring more than 3,700 booths, the show ran until 21st October.
Products showcased at the show included charging products, mobile speakers and earphones, wearable electronics, smartphones and tablets, protective cases and repair tools, accessories and services.
The event’s “AIoT Park” focused on 5G technology and the Internet of Things (IoT). Leaders from the smart home industry presented at the show highlighting how to create… 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.