Blogs
Feb 04, 2016
Wireless access is something every show organizer needs but few understand. Here are some great tips to think about before and during an event to ensure your attendees stay connected.
In Advance of the Event
• Know your requirements before you talk to a venue or managing vendor. Consider all of the space you're using and the needs in each room. Don't omit any relevant space.
• Are your attendees device heavy? Many now carry two or three devices and use wireless for all of them. This is important information for your venue/vendor.
• Consider last year's complaints as… more
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Jan 24, 2016
In the era of big data and tight budgets, every expense needs to be justified. Moreover, measurement of all marketing programs is expected, especially for trade shows and events.
Tracking the number of impressions from any particular marketing channel was much more difficult 10 years ago than it is now. With the advent of online marketing, return on investment data has moved from a loose requirement to a firm expectation.
The expectation has moved from “Trade shows are the way we reach our customers and create awareness” to “Tell me how many new customers we added to our database during… more
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Jan 17, 2016
Making the workplace or tradeshow floor greener is a common goal, and it’s a good goal. Green changes help the planet and can even make the workflow or tradeshows more efficient and even more enjoyable. The New Year is always a time for evaluating the past and looking towards the future, so I decided to put together a list of 5 ways you can make your workplace or tradeshow greener in the New Year.
5 New Year’s Resolutions for A Greener Work Day or Tradeshow
1. Ready, Set, Recycle! - Start a recycling initiative at the office or at your next tradeshow. Get bins and place them where… more
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Jan 09, 2016
It’s hard to believe, but there are times that as a client you really want to be contacted by a salesperson. In fact, many trade show attendees will often go to a show in hopes of finding relevant products that can make their lives easier or help them to better serve their clients. What they don’t want is to take too much time having to read through irrelevant information in order to get what they need. Worse, attendees don’t want to have to wait too long to get the information or phone call they were promised.
That is where good lead management comes in. When you have done your homework to… more
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Jan 09, 2016
Imagine a world where everywhere you turn, another person is interested in what your company does. Aisles filled with prospective clients with money to burn and stars in their eyes. Envision a scenario where every word you say has an impact, directly connecting to your target audience.
This is what Trade Shows are all about. The Trade Show News Network reports that a colossal 81% of trade show attendees have buying authority. This means that 4 out of 5 people at your next show are ready to become your customer. With that in mind, let’s start perfecting our Trade Show performance.
Never… more
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Jan 02, 2016
When it comes to the world of professional events, from well-established legacy conferences to cutting-edge corporate retreats, the industry is ripe for change as well as a technological revolution. Though the industry is well on its way to embracing a more tech savvy, dynamic future, there are quite a few stragglers left in the dust. So what are the forward-thinking event planners out there actually doing? Are you keeping your event practices up to snuff?
Personalizing Digital Marketing
Implementing personalization in your email marketing campaigns can have a great impact on your event… more
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Jan 02, 2016
If you are new to the trade show world, choosing a company to design and print your trade show display materials can be a bit daunting. Even if you’re not a total newbie, you may have run into issues with your display in the past because you did not know exactly what to look for when purchasing.
Whether this is your first trade show or your 100th, it is vital that you ask the right questions when choosing a company to design and produce your trade show display materials. Though you may already have a check list ready, there are 5 essential questions that exhibitors often forget to ask… more
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Dec 21, 2015
The time of year is upon us to make New Year’s resolutions. I have a few that will impact your 2016 trade show season, and they are very easy to put into practice.
Resolution One: Know your booth number, and share it with others. In all your pre-show communications, share your booth number, and share it often. Every communication should list your booth number. If your attendees have to try and find it, there is a possibility they simply won’t.
Resolution Two: While you are at it, make sure your name is obvious. Your company name should not take a backseat to your tag line, imagery… more
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Dec 13, 2015
My first international meeting is etched in my memory — and not in a good way.
I was a young expat in Budapest, Hungary. For the first time, I had the responsibility of organizing an international press conference to introduce a new product to the market. My mind swarmed with everything I’d learned about event planning. I was sure I had done it all. I made a Gantt chart, thought through every moment of the conference schedule and made enough contingency plans to paper the walls.
I lived and breathed that plan. But what I learned as the conference began and quickly veered off track was that… more
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Dec 06, 2015
If you oversee your company’s webinars—from promoting and execution to follow-up—have you ever wondered how you could do your job faster, generate more buzz and do it all more efficiently without spending a fortune? Thousands of business applications are now available to help you with these tasks. In a short, they can transform you into a webinar rock star.
Here are few of my favorites:
· Use this free service to promote your next webinar: Webinars are powerful customer acquisition tools only when people show up for them. Webinara https://… 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