In the meetings and events industry, the word “vendor” gets thrown around often. But at MGME, we believe it no longer fits—and we’re ready to retire it for good.
Why? Because “vendor” is transactional. It implies a service delivered, a box checked, a one-time exchange. And that’s not who we are.
Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME will take us deeper into the mindset that sets us apart.
“A vendor provides a service via a transaction. A partner provides a long-term alignment in strategy and execution; someone you can be totally honest and open with.”
— Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME
In our world, a vendor might be the florist, the A/V provider, the one-time widget supplier. But when that same provider steps in to help design the look, feel, and purpose of a program—when they collaborate with you, challenge ideas, and build for the long term—they become a partner.
A partner isn’t just someone you work with. It’s someone who thinks with you. They learn your brand, understand your client’s goals, and communicate with transparency. That’s who we strive to be for our clients.
“After the pandemic, our industry shifted significantly in many ways with remote workforce being one. We must have a deeper involvement in strategy, execution, and communication for our clients in order to support and deliver their business goals.”
— Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME
The shift from vendor to partner wasn’t accidental. It became necessary after COVID changed the landscape of our industry.
What clients needed from agencies also changed. Moreso than ever, we aren’t just sourcing rooms or ordering signs—we are being asked to support strategic goals, align with brand expectations, and help clients speak to their audiences in meaningful ways.
That level of engagement requires partnership. And with that, the term “vendor” simply stopped making sense.
“Practice makes perfect, and partnerships take time. The longer the partnership is in place, the smoother the process comes. It becomes a professional relationship.”
— Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME
Partnership isn’t about more meetings—it’s about more meaning. It’s about your agency showing up with:
A vendor might get the job done. A partner makes sure it’s the right job, done the right way.
“We would never want our clients advancing executive rooms or checking room setups onsite. That’s our job and we need our partners to trust implicitly that we have it covered—so they can walk in with confidence.”
— Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME
We believe a true partner:
And perhaps most importantly, we prioritize consistency. Our clients work with the same account managers over time—year one, year two, year three—because relationships matter. Trust is built with people, not platforms.
Of course, we understand the role of procurement cycles. Often, clients are required to go out to bid every few years.
But that process can unintentionally disrupt long-standing partnerships, making it harder for agencies to deliver the kind of seamless, strategic support that clients truly benefit from. Strong relationships take time. And when they’re cut short, clients lose the momentum that comes from true collaboration.
“Partnerships aren’t just on the agency/vendor side—they’re also on the agency/client side.”
— Carvie Gillikin, Chief Executive Officer at MGME
We invest in both. At MGME, we take the time to learn the intricacies of our vendor partners and our clients. That time is an investment into long-term success—and skipping those steps leads to rocky starts.
If there’s one message, we hope this blog delivers, it’s this:
Partnership isn’t a buzzword. It’s a mindset. And it’s what makes the difference between an event that happens—and an event that matters.