Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546515
14 B M & T ••• September/October 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com L O C A L H E R O A 2026 PRIME Sponsor of the Black Meetings & Tourism 4th annual IMEX Planners MEET UP, MGM Resorts International continues their stellar track record as a national corpo- rate leader in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. The company main- tains a long-standing, publicly stated commitment to DEI identifying it as a core pillar of their corporate culture and business strategy. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with U.S. properties locat- ed in Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, and Ohio, MGM Resorts International has widely been recognized in the Travel/Tourism industry as one of the nation's top companies for diversity best practices. In 2000 MGM Resorts International launched a formal, compre- hensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, making them the first major casino company to establish policies in the areas of: • Supplier Diversity directing billions of dollars in contracts toward minority-, women-, veteran-, disabled-, and LGBTQ+- owned business enterprise • Targeted Tourism & Convention Sales: actively marketing properties to diverse groups, attracting major multicultural con- ventions, meetings, • Workforce Representation: focusing on active recruitment, equi- table leadership access, and career progression for women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, citing MGM's commitment to maintaining high demo- graphic diversity across broad operational and managerial roles and dedicated procurement programs geared toward minority- and women-owned business, Black Enterprise magazine named MGM Resorts International as one of the best companies for DEI. According to Tony Gladney, MGM Resorts International Vice President, National Diversity Relations, MGM's growth and success has in part been made possible by the company's focused efforts to making sure that deserving businesses and individuals "have equal access to opportunity." An annual highly anticipated special event at IMEX in Las Vegas, the BM&T MEETUP is a relaxing social gathering for African-American meeting planners and invited guests, hosted by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine. For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, or to register to attend the 2026 Black Meetings & Tourism MEETUP, contact: www.bmtimex2026.com . For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the company's website at www.mgmresorts.com . MGM – STILL STRONG AND WINNING IN THE DIVERSITY GAME