Sep 17, 2020
MGM Resorts International will complete the reopening of all its properties around the world following pandemic closures when Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas open their doors on Sept. 30. Of note, the dual-branded property will become The Strip’s first fully smoke-free casino resort.
“Opening Park MGM and NoMad represent significant milestones, as they are the last of our properties to welcome back employees and guests alike,” said Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts. “The last six months have presented extraordinary challenges, and I could not be prouder of the MGM Resorts team… more
Aug 26, 2020
Following the implementation of a “back on track” reopening program that included new health and safety measures directed by a local task force, Indianapolis has seen a surge in meetings activity. In the four-week period following the July 7 reopening of Indiana Convention Center (ICC) — which recently spent $7 million on health and safety improvements — the city successfully hosted 18 meetings and events with a total of more than 40,000 attendees.
“With more than 50 percent of the nation’s population within a day’s drive of Indy, coupled with the health upgrades to our center, we’ve seen a… more
Jul 24, 2020
As the event industry slowly begins to creep back, smaller venues are particularly well-suited to host gatherings, as groups often have the entire space to themselves and can limit the number of people that attendees come into contact with. This was a fact that the U.S. Census Bureau event team took into consideration when rebooking several job training sessions that had previously been canceled because of COVID-19.
Anthony Thornton, Census field operations manager, first reached out to Quorum at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia in June. This newly expanded space, which now… more
Jul 15, 2020
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is getting back to business safely by welcoming a trade show and conference designed to help the live events industry do the same.
Set for July 24, the Together Again Expo will offer attendees and suppliers the opportunity to learn about new industry best practices, strategies and tools for safely and responsibly reopening live events, conventions and trade shows.
A collaboration between the OCCC and Alliance Nationwide Exposition, a nationwide general services contractor, the face-to-face event is open to all event professionals and suppliers… more
Jul 09, 2020
“We’re ready to welcome you back safely, when you’re ready,” reads the new tagline on the Mohegan Sun website. The resort and convention complex in Uncasville, Connecticut, began reopening in phases on June 1 and welcomed its first meeting last week.
The measured reopening of the 5.5 million-square-foot property followed the implementation of many new health and safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance for these came from a variety of sources: the CDC; Connecticut State Department of Health; and the Chief Medical Officer and Tribal Health Department of the Mohegan… more
Jun 30, 2020
Construction on Las Vegas Convention Center’s new underground transportation system, the Convention Center Loop, hit a milestone last month when Elon Musk’s The Boring Company completed excavation on the second of two 4,500-foot vehicular tunnels.
In May 2019, The Boring Company was selected by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority board of directors to design, construct and operate the unique “people mover.” The $52.5 million project is the company’s first commercial endeavor and also includes three stations, one of which will be underground and is currently being excavated.… more
Jun 24, 2020
The first facilities to earn the new GBAC STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, are scheduled to be announced by the end of June. To achieve accreditation, applicants must demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 elements covering cleaning, disinfecting and infectious disease prevention.
Less than two months after the launch of the GBAC STAR program on May 7, thousands of facilities have committed to the program — from large hotel chains, convention centers and arenas to small restaurants, bowling… more
Jun 17, 2020
As corporate marketing teams look ahead to begin planning for events for late 2020 and into 2021, bigger isn’t better: The theme that seems to be emerging is smaller, more intimate gatherings at a local level will help companies ease back into events.
While the hotel industry was among the hardest hit by the global pandemic, it’s the smaller, boutique hotels that may be among the first to bounce back, with fewer staff to hire back and fewer rooms to fill. These properties may also be among the best options for the first post-pandemic corporate meetings, as they come with less exposure to… more
Jun 11, 2020
Las Vegas officially welcomed back guests last week, June 4, after more than two months of being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking care to comply with directives from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and public health authorities — including guidelines set by the CDC and WHO — the city is among the first to strongly promote its reopening to travelers.
“Las Vegas is a city built on hospitality, and we are thrilled to open our doors on June 4 and welcome visitors from around the country,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and… more
May 08, 2020
Visit Indy and more than 10 downtown convention hotel partners are helping to ease event planners’ uncertainty of booking large face-to-face events with a new offer. New groups that book events in Indianapolis for any 2020 dates will automatically receive zero attrition for room blocks at all of the city’s major downtown convention hotels.
“There is obviously great uncertainty about how to conduct events this year and our city, convention center and hotel partners want to help mitigate financial risks for our customers,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy.
Participating… 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 more