Blogs

Jun 15, 2016
Millennials have been the focus of research and event marketing (including ours) for years now, and there are new articles (either praising or criticizing the generation) on a daily basis. But if you’re looking to plan for the future, the Gen Z demographic should be a strong consideration; they are emerging as one of the most diverse and influential generations. Millennials were predicted to be one of the largest disruptions to the economy, but Generation Z is shaping up to be just as significant. Growing up their entire lives with technology, social media, and in the aftermath of a… more
Jun 10, 2016
Your old road is rapidly agin'; please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand for the times they are a-changin'. Bob Dylan, The Times Are A-Changin’ One of my favorite sweathirts dates back to the early 1980’s. On the front it states “Insufficient memory at this time”. The phrase is one that old-timers in the computer evolution feared in the early days of personal computers. I can still remember plunking down two grand for the Osborne 1, the first commercially successful “portable” personal computer. It weighed 23.5 lb and ran the CPM operating system. This state-of-the-art… more
Jun 10, 2016
A few weeks ago, TSNN’s blog featured a post by Jay Tokosch of Core-Apps. His overall message – print is a waste of time and money, so stop printing and go digital-only, right now. I say, wait a second, Mr. Tokosch. Before you kick print into the recycling bin, perhaps it might be worthwhile to look at this from a different perspective. Though I must first congratulate him on reaching one of his objectives – he got my blood boiling, for sure! As publishers of show dailies and other conference-related materials, CustomNEWS’ primary focus has historically been print products. But we recognized… more
Jun 07, 2016
The first-ever Global Exhibitions Day is right around the corner. This new event was inspired by Exhibitions Day, now in its third year, in which industry members meet with legislators in Washington, D.C., to advocate for events and exhibitions industry. The idea was so powerful that organizations representing the international trade show and exhibitions industry came together to take things a step further with a Global Exhibitions Day, slated for June 8. On that day, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry will host an international meeting of the minds where achievements will be… more
Jun 04, 2016
I recently attended the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) with two of my colleagues. We had the opportunity to network with several successful women who are truly change makers in the trade show and events industry, willing to serve as mentors and coaches to young professional women. The sessions we attended were centered on 5 standards women should consider when evaluating our professional and personal development. When the forum ended, we left feeling inspired to share our experiences and key takeaways from our 2-day think tank, so we compiled our notes and “aha” moments. Here are 5… more
Jun 04, 2016
It’s challenging to keep customers engaged throughout the sales process, but well planned and targeted communication will keep even the busiest customer’s attention and attract new interest as well. Through the years, I’ve found 7 Proven Strategies to Engage Customers Without a Diamond Ring.  Here they are:    Make the Conversation Two-Way Sure, you’re excited about the product or service you’re selling, but have you taken the time to get to know your client? Listen to what they’re saying and learn to read between the lines. (Hint: it’s an art). Be careful as well not to… more
May 21, 2016
"I know a baseball star who wouldn't report the theft of his wife's credit cards because the thief spends less than she does." - Joe Garagiola Of all the people I have had to deal with regarding trade shows, the lowest forms of life are suitcasers and outboarders. I hold them with more contempt than lawyers, hotel revenue managers and hotel poachers. An outboarder is a company that should be exhibiting who decides to sponsor their own event during the show without the consent of the organizer. A suitcaser can be defined as a non-exhibiting supplier who attends the show and tries to conduct… more
May 21, 2016
Tracking the Online ROI of Your Offline Trade Show Efforts For many companies, trade shows are an important part of their revenue stream. They spend thousands of dollars on booth design, demonstration materials, and promotional items to distribute at various shows. And at the end of each event, the hope is for these companies to gain enough new business to make their efforts and expenditures worthwhile. Yet for a lot of businesses, tracking a lead’s progression from initial contact to further steps in the sales funnel remains a challenge, especially when the desired next step involves… more
May 14, 2016
When it comes to summer events, radio-frequency technology - whether it’s RFID or NFC - is the new black (or tie dye). Whether you’re planning a music festival, a maker faire, or a lawn and garden show, wearables with embedded RF chips or tags open up a world of possibilities for organizers and attendees. The Basics: RFID vs. NFC Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) work similarly: When Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used, information (usually a unique number) is transmitted from an encoded memory chip (known as a “smart tag”) via an… more
May 14, 2016
Yes, I am throwing down the gauntlet!  Ditch your paper event guide, maps, and programs.  You are wasting your money, your sponsors’ money, and the time it takes to put all that printed material together.  You are also killing the environment.  Do I have your blood boiling yet?  Let me see if I can make the case for you to switch. The digital technology for all of your needs is reliable, is available, costs less than printed paper, and is being used daily by your constituents’ 100% of the time.  That is right - 100%.  How many people do not have a cell phone… more
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