Oct 25, 2018
As cities across the U.S. continue to make significant investments in major expansions and upgrades to their convention centers in order to better compete for group business, two more facilities are joining the flurry of construction projects.
Last week, the city of Indianapolis announced plans to expand the Indiana Convention Center and build two new hotel towers that will add more than 1,400 connected hotel rooms to the city’s room inventory.
The ICC’s new 50,000 square foot ballroom will be the largest in the state, while the additional hotel towers will increase the city’s number of… more
Oct 04, 2018
Some of the construction in downtown San Francisco will be ending soon, with a positive impact for event planners and attendees. The $551 million Moscone Center expansion project is due to be completed at the end of 2018.
Started in November 2014, the expansion adds more than 157,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to Moscone North and South, increasing the center’s total exhibit space to more than 504,000 sq. ft.
According to Tom David, executive vice president and chief sales officer for San Francisco Travel Association, the expansion was driven by the need to both keep and… more
Sep 26, 2018
The Los Angeles Convention Center has claimed bragging rights for being the first convention center in the U.S. to permanently install a 5G wireless network.
Improving on 4G LTE that currently accounts for approximately three-quarters of total mobile connections in the U.S. (excluding licensed cellular IoT), 5G is the fifth generation of wireless internet and voice services designed to move data faster and be more responsive, dramatically increasing wireless speeds and capacity to transform services such as AI, VR and video calling.
“The establishment of 5G at the Los Angeles Convention… more
Sep 13, 2018
A single plastic straw, which might be used for about 15 minutes, will never fully decompose. That depressing fact has inspired two major players in the exhibitions, meetings and hospitality industries to launch a series of sustainability initiatives designed to give single-use plastic waste the boot.
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has launched “Think Before Plastic,” an initiative debuted at the start of its new fiscal year on July 1 that features a series of new measures focused on cutting back and eliminating plastic… more
Aug 30, 2018
As the exhibitions industry continues to surge full speed ahead, more and more destinations are recognizing the need to upgrade, revamp and expand their convention centers in order to compete for major trade shows and events.
These days, myriad facilities are celebrating ground breakings, undergoing new construction projects or anticipating grand openings, while others have put their plans on hold. Here are some of the major U.S. convention centers proposing, building and completing bigger, better, state-of-the-art spaces.
Caesars Forum
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment broke ground on … more
Aug 16, 2018
Thanks to the flexibility and modern allure of the newly expanded Anaheim Convention Center, trade shows including the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and Natural Products Expo West have booked the facility for multiple years.
Completed in September of last year, the ACC expansion provides an additional 200,000 square feet of meeting space allowing for an even greater variety of event uses at what is known as the West Coast’s largest convention center.
Having met in Anaheim for almost 40 years, NAMM will make ACC its home through 2023. The association’s 2018 show in the… more
Aug 14, 2018
The Georgia World Congress Center is about to get even larger. Late last month, the downtown Atlanta facility officially broke ground on a $55 million expansion project, the venue’s first major expansion since 2002.
As a component of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s 2020 Vision strategic plan, the project features a new 100,000 square-foot exhibit hall that will join the GWCC’s B and C Buildings, creating more than 1 million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2019, this new fixed “gateway” will enable the downtown Atlanta facility to… more
Aug 07, 2018
The Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) opened its doors on Aug. 6 after a two-year renovation and expansion. The new build has increased KICC’s contiguous exhibit space by more than a third.
State and local government officials, along with KICC facility officials and staff, welcomed clients, local stakeholders and media to an open house that showcased the new facility and its capacity for events.
The program included comments from:
David S. Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues
Don Parkinson, secretary of Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
William M.… more
Jul 13, 2018
As the sun rose over the Detroit River on the morning of May 23, employees, event attendees and members of the Detroit community helped jump-start Cobo Center’s 2018 community engagement series, Cobo Cares, with “Sunrise Riverfront Yoga,” held on the outdoor terrace of Cobo’s Grand Riverview Ballroom.
Launched in 2017 as part of Cobo’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, Cobo Cares offers free exercise, networking and community engagement opportunities for the local downtown community, facility employees and onsite event attendees.
Ongoing during the spring, summer and… more
Jul 03, 2018
International Market Centers is gearing up to host its 8thannual “Up On the Roof” gala charity event during the Summer 2018 Las Vegas Market, running July 29-Aug. 2.
Set for the evening of July 30 in the WorldView Ballroom, the 2018 fundraiser will benefit Gift For Life, the sole charitable organization for the gift, stationery and home décor industries, and will be themed “ERASE HATE: A Celebration of Love,” memorializing the 20thanniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, whose murder shocked the nation and galvanized support for the gay and lesbian community.
Held annually at the… 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.