Industry Veteran Julie Coker Graham to Co-Chair Meetings Mean Business Coalition

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition has appointed Julie Coker Graham, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, as its next co-chair.

Coker Graham will join Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International, in leading the coalition and promoting the value of face-to-face meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions.

Javits Center, Centerplate Serve Up New Salad Dressing Made from Harvested Rooftop Bee Hive Honey

A new salad dressing featuring honey harvested from the bee hives housed on the Javits Center’s green roof now is on the menu at the convention center’s Taste NY Bistro.

The honey-infused vinaigrette, along with other New York homegrown ingredients, is featured in a new salad offered at the facility’s cafe-style restaurant location.

Aptly named Jacob’s Honey, the homegrown honey was extracted last month by a team of Javits Center engineers in partnership with local beekeeping organization, New York City Beekeeping.

SMG Tapped to Manage, Run North American Sales for New Massive Shenzhen, China-based Venue

Convention and entertainment venue management SMG unveiled at a press conference during IMEX America this week in Las Vegas that they will launch North American sales for the Shenzhen (China) World Exhibition & Convention Center.

The company was selected to manage the new venue, which will become one of the largest exhibition and convention centers in the world.

Besides announcing the sales and management news, SMG also is celebrating its 4oth Anniversary this year.

PACK EXPO and ICUEE Draw Robust Attendance, Showfloors

Shows in the packaging and construction/utility equipment industries drew strong attendance and growing showfloors recently in Las Vegas and Louisville, respectively.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2017 pulled off its largest Las Vegas trade show to date, welcoming nearly 1,000 more attendees and increasing in size by almost four percent, compared with its 2015 event.

Held Sept. 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show attracted 29,500 attendees and 2,000 exhibiting companies spanning almost 900,000 net square feet.

Freeman Introduces Fuzion, the Event Industry’s First Open Technology Platform

As a global provider of brand experiences that has been advancing in the event technology space, Freeman understands the industry-wide challenges of digital tool integration.

In an effort solve this often frustrating issue and create a more seamless experience for event organizers and attendees in the process, the company has introduced Fuzion by Freeman, an open product ecosystem designed to simplify integration by acting as a foundation between digital solutions, establishing a common language that allows multiple tools to talk to each other.

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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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