News
Sep 09, 2021
From new leadership appointments to newly created positions designed to grow and expand burgeoning departments, trade show and event professionals are continuing to find new career opportunities as the industry forges ahead toward recovery. Here’s the latest news:
Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau
After 20 years with the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, CEO Mary Ann Mahoney will retire on Oct. 15, 2021. Charlene Hoffman, the CVB’s current operations and financial officer, will assume the CEO role on Oct. 16.
A valued leader in Colorado’s tourism industry who has mentored a… more
Sep 08, 2021
Imagine if sponsors and exhibitors kept returning to participate at your events. Isn't that every event planner's dream?
This is possible! All you need is to identify the outcomes a sponsor or exhibitor wants and help them reach their goals through a consistent approach.
Getting visibility and generating sales/leads are two common event goals sponsors and exhibitors have. Below are five ways to help them achieve these goals.
1. Promote on social media and email
Helping sponsors and exhibitors meet their goals is a process that can start long before the event. You can promote their… more
Sep 08, 2021
Ellen Schwartz isn’t exactly afraid to speak her mind. In fact, being outspoken is more like her superpower. A dynamic yet down-to-Earth industry professional who has worked for more than 40 years in the trade show and events industry, she exudes the kind of confidence that comes from years of experience and the wisdom gained from working her way up the ranks in show management, convention center sales and marketing roles and finally, venue management.
In this first edition of our new interview series about women in leading roles in the meetings and events industry, TSNN had the privilege… more
Sep 07, 2021
Event professionals and suppliers have happily descended upon Las Vegas since 2011 for IMEX America, but this year is shaping up to be an even more joyful experience for everyone involved, as they join with peers in-person again after a long and challenging hiatus due to the pandemic.
IMEX America 2021, billed as a “homecoming for the global events community,” is the 10th edition of the show. IMEX Group is marking the milestone with plenty of unique opportunities to conduct business, connect, learn and grow Nov. 9-11 at its new home: Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
“We can’t wait to see the… more
Sep 07, 2021
Sponsored by San Diego Tourism Authority
Whether you’re returning or visiting for the first time, San Diego is ready to greet you with open skies and wide-open spaces. Our sun-soaked surroundings, sandy beaches and countless outdoor venues and renovations will liberate your thinking, open you up to big ideas and renew your outlook. Because when it comes to getting down to business, San Diego offers the ideal backdrop to elevate any meeting or event.
Make Your Meeting Safe — and Sunny
San Diego makes it easy to gather safely outdoors, and our teams are dedicated to ensuring the health, well… more
Sep 07, 2021
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) recently released two more case studies from its Global Virtual Event Trends series, which examines the insights of organizations that traditionally run or manage in-person B2B exhibitions but pivoted to producing virtual events due to COVID-19-related constraints and regulations.
As the latest case studies in the series, Case Study: Access Intelligence and Case Study: 1st Arabia Tradeshow & Conferences provide real-world examples of how each organization adapted its events to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of their… more
Sep 02, 2021
As the escalating climate change crisis continues to plague the planet, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) have teamed up to unite the events industry for a massive push to diminish its carbon footprint.
Today, UFI unveiled the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, which is hosted by JMIC and supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The aim is to attract and connect major events industry stakeholders around the world, including organizers, planners, exhibitors, venues, destinations and… more
Sep 02, 2021
As those in the meetings and exhibitions industries know all too well, changes in the COVID-19 pandemic are continuing to cause major challenges for event organizers, with any organization looking to host a trade show or conference tasked with taking changing information from public health officials into account. In such a complex environment, it can be understandably difficult for organizers to demonstrate their ability to run events in a safe and sustainable way.
Enter Epistemix, a leading provider of analytical tools that simulate how diseases, ideas and behavior spread through… more
Sep 01, 2021
After sitting closed for nearly 18 months, Chicago’s McCormick Place is once again hosting major trade shows and events, has welcomed back more than 1,000 full-time employees and is boasting a robust events schedule. Following the NBA Draft Combine in June, the campus enjoyed a busy July that harkened back to pre-pandemic days, hosting three major events within a few days of each other that brought in more than 150,000 guests. These included the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), the Nike Tournament of Champions and a special edition of a marquee event that McCormick has hosted for 60… more
Sep 01, 2021
After an 18-month hiatus, OFFPRICE Show returned to Las Vegas Fashion Week with a resurgence in buyer traffic, fueling cautious optimism for its 2022 shows. Although event participation wasn’t yet in line with pre-pandemic numbers, the biannual bargain apparel, accessories and footwear event still exceeded attendee expectations.
Held Aug. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in close proximity to an array of Fashion Week trade shows, OFFPRICE Show remains the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to discount fashion, boasting approximately 450 exhibitors and 12,000 buyers in “normal” years… 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.