Blogs

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
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
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
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
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
Mar 20, 2016
Editor's Note: TSNN is thrilled to have Charlie Olentine, who for the past 12 years managed the International Production & Processing Expo, signed on as a regular blogger to share his insights on the trade show industry.  "Customers require the effective integration of technologies to simplify their workflow and boost efficiency." Anne M. Mulcahy, Past CEO, Xerox Go to any trade show meeting and the term “experiential” comes up. Organizers want the attendees to come out of a show with a WOW experience. But what about the exhibitor? Too often the experience is one of… more
Mar 12, 2016
You’ve heard it before, “branded giveaways are a great way to make an impression at trade shows.” While I agree with this notion, I think it can be a little misleading. Branded swag will, of course, make an impression on trade show attendees, but it may not always be the impression you intend. Perhaps your last giveaway ended up in the convention center trash cans because the gift did not resonate well with your target audience. Promotional items that are too generic, or swag that does not offer some sort of benefit to recipients, tends to be ineffective. So how can you get more bang for your… more
Mar 12, 2016
Once your event is over and everyone has gone home, your job isn’t finished. After all, an event’s ROI isn’t immediately measurable. It can take up to 10 weeks after the show for a prospect to take action. During this period, your ability to create touchpoints will determine whether prospects decide to take meetings, review literature, or provide a RFP opportunity. Post-event engagement is also important for gaining feedback on the success of your event. There are two questions to keep in mind for your attendees: Did they learn something new? Are they likely to participate in an… more
Mar 05, 2016
Exhibiting your product or service at a trade show is an investment of time, energy and money.  Because long days on the exhibition floor can be gruelling, establishing a plan of action and covering the bases prior to your next trade show is imperative. To make sure you get the best results, decide what you can do before the show to ensure your success and take pressure off during show time. Trade shows are a perfect opportunity to showcase your service or product to an audience that has already done the pre-selection process for you. Trade shows are special because you have a… more
Feb 26, 2016
The start of the year is always a good time to look ahead. Here is a brief look at five trends affecting our industry – trends that we at UFI believe will be discussed and debated in 2016: The state of the global economy This, of course, always belongs on such a list. Our latest UFI Global Barometer shows a mixed outlook for the exhibition industry. The barometer, based on a survey sent to leading organisers worldwide, shows positive turnover expectations in 2016 for the large majority of companies in North America and Europe – with the notable exception of Russia. In Asia-Pacific, the… 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