Experts & Opinions
Apr 23, 2016
The IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) is just a few days away, and its approach has me looking at some of the lessons I learned (some the hard way) and issues like the wage gap that many woman are still facing today.
Bridging the Gap
I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and had a promising foundation for future career success. In June of 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, which should have signaled the end to gender discrimination in our country. Title IX gave me access to sports and an understanding of fair competition.
I had grandparents who were… more
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Apr 16, 2016
"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - Prison Warden, Cool Hand Luke
Technology has changed our lives dramatically, especially in terms of communication. The Millennial Generation has no concept of what life was like in the “good old days”.
The company for which I was a publisher started an international magazine in the mid-1960’s and subsequently established a sales office in the Netherlands. Back then, to make an international phone call was like taking your bank account and signing it over to Ma Bell; so the firm had to devise a way for the Dutch office to communicate with the… more
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Apr 16, 2016
Business-to-business marketing presents unique challenges not faced when marketing to consumers. Businesses take the time to carefully evaluate each product or service for its potential return on investment and rely on trusted partnerships and outstanding customer service.
Trade shows provide marketers the chance to effectively target, market and connect with potential buyers, which is key in securing healthy business-to-business marketing ROI. Read the three tips below, and find out how a properly executed trade show campaign can help you increase your marketing return.
1. Businesses… more
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Apr 09, 2016
Everywhere you turn there seems to be advice on leadership and the important role of senior management in an organization. While every company needs great leaders, your employees are a vital force in your company. By investing in your workforce you are helping to create long-term and loyal employees who are your organization’s leading brand ambassadors.
Your employees have a hands-on understanding of your clients and their needs. Employees who communicate often and build relationships with your clients can anticipate what it will take to provide great customer service, which in turn creates… more
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Apr 09, 2016
Four years. That’s all it’s taken for Snapchat to become one of the biggest social media outlets worldwide.
One of the most common misconceptions about Snapchat has been the particular audience (teens) and how they were using it (disappearing photos), and its lead to slow adoption among non-millennials.
Unfortunately, this has prevented many from experiencing the powerful business applications of the technology. And, no application may be greater than that of Snapchat for events.
There are over 100 million active users on Snapchat today and 7 billion videos are viewed a day. When Facebook… more
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Apr 01, 2016
In a face-to-face marketing scenario, swag isn’t just a cheap party favor you give to guests at the end of the night. It’s your currency.
The role of swag shouldn’t be underestimated. When utilized correctly, it provides brands with a physical and emotional connection to their customers before, during, and after an event.
In other words, swag is a gift that keeps on giving — and that’s why it has become a $21 billion industry. One study found that 87 percent of eventgoers keep the promotional items they receive for more than a year, and 79 percent of them say they’d be likely to do business… more
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Apr 01, 2016
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies. Groucho Marx
One might have thought that after the controversies and divisiveness over laws in Arizona, Indiana and Missouri over gay marriage that politicians would stay from the issue. Not so in Georgia. This session, the legislature passed a “Religious Liberty” that provided a de facto legalization of discrimination.
Rather than trying to improve the economic lives of the citizens of Georgia and improve efficiencies in government, the legislators decided to dwell on… more
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Mar 26, 2016
For trade show and conference planners looking to capture and engage more Generation Y/Millennial attendees, accommodating their technology needs to be a top priority. These digital natives rely on their mobile devices for much of their communication, information sharing, socializing and networking. When they attend an event, the expectations are that technology will be a major part of the event starting from their initial correspondence till their last. This could be either a challenge or an opportunity for event planners depending upon how you view it.
Challenges ….
Yes, there must be… more
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Mar 26, 2016
The focus for a good game platform should be to provide a great experience for all of the stakeholders. I have found that when the following 3 objectives are met, it often produces outstanding results:
1. Create True Engagement
Exhibitors should receive their desired interaction with potential leads through mechanics that prompt conversation. The employed method should produce dwell-times that last no less than 30 seconds (elevator pitch).The exhibitor should find ways to create face-time to allow the opportunity to talk about their product or service. Exhibitors… more
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Mar 20, 2016
There are a number of things that exhibitors consider before investing in an event. They want to look at the metrics from the year previous: leads gathered, social shares posted, survey responses completed, and this new concept of "ROO". What is also a very large consideration, is the space offered and how it correlates with their product and messaging. Events should seek to create an exhibition floor plan that provides the availability for unique experiences and spaces, all the while, maintaining the ability to maximize space and profitability to your business. Striking the right… more
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact