News
Oct 06, 2022
The Dayton Convention Center (DCC) in Dayton, Ohio has begun a $40 million renovation project designed to serve as an integral part of the city’s downtown economic revitalization. According to officials from ASM Global, which manages the convention center, the 51-year-old facility will soon undergo a major update that will equip it to meet the ever-evolving needs of meeting and event clients.
Construction is expected to conclude in late summer or early fall of 2024, and the venue will remain open to host events throughout the project.
Announced on Sept. 22, the project follows the DCC’s… more
Oct 05, 2022
Several days after Ian pummeled Southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane then slowly weakened as it barrelled through the middle of the state and on to the Carolinas, the hardest hit destination, Lee County, Fla., remains all but closed to visitors, while other areas throughout Florida and South Carolina have resumed normal operations and are welcoming visiting groups for events. Following is an update from several destination marketing organizations throughout the region.
Lee County
Packing winds of up to 155 mph, heavy rain and major storm surge, Hurricane Ian carved a path of… more
Oct 03, 2022
The full scope of the vision care industry came together to reconnect and do business face-to-face at an energetic Vision Expo West 2022, held Sept. 14–17 at The Venetian Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council, the annual sister show of Vision Expo East brought together thousands of ophthalmic professionals and hundreds of exhibiting companies for four days of innovative trends, education and plentiful networking opportunities.
“From reconnecting at networking functions and parties to conducting business on the show floor and taking… more
Sep 30, 2022
Effective Oct. 1, it became easier for international travelers to go to Canada, including those attending events, as the country officially removed all COVID-19 entry requirements as well as testing, quarantine and isolation measures for arriving visitors. Other COVID-19 travel restrictions were also dropped throughout the country.
According to Canada’s Public Health Agency, the removal of the measures, which include its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, was prompted by several factors. Included in the list is modeling that indicates Canada has largely passed the peak of the recent wave fueled by… more
Sep 29, 2022
BPA Worldwide, a leading global assurance provider of media, technology, events and sustainability standards compliance, has purchased VSef, the global data format for the digital events industry, founded by Explori. The move is the next step following its collaboration with VSef to create a single industry standard for digital events.
Digital events and digital components of in-person events are important elements of an event organizer’s portfolio, explained Richard Murphy, president and CEO of BPA Worldwide, adding that after leveling off after pandemic highs, the digital channel is… more
Sep 29, 2022
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) in Chicago is soliciting ideas for the potential redevelopment of some or all of Lakeside Center, the east building of McCormick Place. Issued on Sept. 15, the Request for Information (RFI) will gather ideas for revitalizing the more than 50-year-old venue and providing an attractive new revenue generator for MPEA, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
According to MPEA officials, this process will provide innovators, architects and developers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine one of Chicago’s signature buildings,… more
Sep 28, 2022
Packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida on Sept. 28 as one of the region’s most intense hurricanes on record.
The Category 4 hurricane produced massive storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rainfall.
As the powerful storm barrelled toward the Gulf Coast, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida, leading to major disruptions in flights and cruise lines, port and school closures and statewide evacuation orders.
And with Florida serving as a highly popular destination for meetings, trade… more
Sep 26, 2022
Harkening back to pre-pandemic times, the latest edition of Surf Expo boasted a bigger crowd and showfloor, with buyers and brands feeling comfortable and relaxed as they reconnected face-to-face to conduct business over the course of three busy days.
Held Sept. 8–10 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, the world’s largest and longest-running watersports, beach and resort lifestyle B2B event brought together more than 7,400 attendees and exhibitors spanning more than 150,000 square feet of expo space.
Produced bi-annually in January and September by Emerald, Surf Expo… more
Sep 23, 2022
A record-breaking number of nominations came flying in for the 2022 TSNN Awards, including nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards.
TSNN has named those who will be recognized with Outstanding Show Pro Awards and unveiled the finalists for the Innovation Awards as well as the Comeback Awards, which honor shows that have demonstrated resilience by “coming back” in areas such as attendance, overall business excellence and customer connectivity.
The 2022 TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) are on tap Nov. 8-… more
Sep 23, 2022
The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced the recipients of its annual Global Awards, which celebrate and honor exemplary achievements within the global business events industry, concentrating on leadership at all levels and specific areas of focus.
The EIC received a fantastic number of nominations for the Global Awards this year, according to Amy Calvert, CEO of the EIC.
“All [of the nominations] show remarkable personal accomplishments and achievements on behalf of our industry,” Calvert said. “Recognizing, rewarding and celebrating the incredible leadership and innovation in our… 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.