Blogs
May 17, 2015
Much like the headliner at a major music festival, the keynote speaker at a trade show may influence many attendees and exhibitors as they make the final decision on whether to make the trip at all.
When narrowing down the list of qualified applicants to dazzle an exhibition, here are some standard practices a trade show manager should abide by.
When searching for a keynote speaker, it's not just the credentials of the speaker you're looking for – it's their raw appeal and charisma that will make them memorable for attendees.
Event organizers should meet with any potential keynote speaker… more
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May 17, 2015
A few weeks ago, I picked up on a post about new event technologies that have been proposed for the National Stadium in Tokyo (HQ for the 2020 Summer Olympics). What caught my eye was that one of the proposals called for the installation of toilets in the venue that will record a user’s blood pressure and body temp as they do their business.
However unlikely it is that this particular innovation will actually become a reality in Tokyo or anywhere else, it’s certainly not the only over the top tech I’ve seen in the events industry – and it got me thinking: Is there ever a point with event… more
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May 10, 2015
Picture McCormick Place — the largest convention center in North America — situated in the heart of Chicago. It’s the weekend of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and runners are picking up their race packets at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo at the convention center.
Within just two days, 45,000 runners and their families will shuffle through the enormous space the size of 46 football fields, browsing booths where more than 200 exhibitors are showing off the latest running shoes, organic veggie chips and new flavors of sports drinks.
Every brand present has staffed its booth with… more
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May 02, 2015
You’ve just nailed it: a flawless hour-long webinar. But, now is not the time to mark the project a success and move on. While the leads are still hot, it’s critical to pounce on the information supplied by the webinar attendees to drive your sales and ensure your ROI.
Sure, a webinar is designed to distribute valuable insight about your products and services, but just as important is obtaining information from customers before and during a webinar. Buried in those nuggets of information are insights into who is interested in your products and services, and sometimes even why.
Thank Them:
So… more
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May 02, 2015
Obviously, the traditional approach to trade show marketing is to pay your fees, gather your promotional items and head off to setup your booth. Your business’s marketing presence will be based, for the most part, on a 10’ x 10’ slice of relatively expensive event real estate.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this approach – it’s what most of us do when the right event rolls around, one that appeals to the right audience for our products or services. But it’s not the only way to do a trade show.
With smart investments and advanced planning, your business can knock it out of the park at… more
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Apr 23, 2015
Recently, we saw the rise and fall of Indiana’s now infamous Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). What began as a quiet, state-level policy soon erupted into the most hotly-contested debate in the United States.
RFRA initially specified that government could not "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow their religious beliefs, unless there was a compelling interest in imposing that burden or government could do so in the least restrictive way. For many, the legislation left too many possibilities for legalized discrimination against the LGBT community.
Guided by the belief… more
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Apr 19, 2015
Look around at any trade show or conference, and you’ll see attendees with their heads down and their eyes locked on their phones. This isn’t surprising considering that Americans spend 162 minutes on their mobile devices every day. What is surprising is just how many brands are missing out on this opportunity to engage their target audience during event sponsorships.
Creating a second-screen experience is a noninvasive but highly effective way to take your sponsorship to the next level. In preparation for the American Music Awards of 2013, for instance, Coca-Cola leveraged its sponsorship by… more
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Apr 17, 2015
We’ve all been to trade shows where exhibitors try to outdo each with the biggest booth and the most state-of-the-art gadgets to draw in a crowd. As much attention as these display systems receive, sometimes it is smaller, more intimate and personal settings that attendees will remember over how many trinkets and brochures they collected.
Having fancy giveaways and booths do not necessarily mean you will stand out to potential buyers, it just shows you spent more money. Attendees love knowing that they are listened to, that their space is respected, and that they will not be pressured to buy… more
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Apr 10, 2015
Your booth space is reserved. It’s in a great location on the show floor and has the potential for maximum exposure and foot traffic. Now is the time to create your lead management plan to drive traffic to your booth.
A solid plan for your next event starts well before the first badge is scanned in your booth. Capturing the lead
is only 10% of the equation. By taking advantage of educational and marketing opportunities, you are ensuring a successful event.
The business-to-business exhibition is the marketing channel of choice among brand marketers who include this channel in their marketing… more
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Apr 10, 2015
I attended SXSW in Austin last month, and one of the most interesting sessions was the panel discussion around proximity marketing and the use of LTE Direct.
This is a new mobile technology that will be launched in the next couple of years. It allows ‘passive discovery’ as you can be constantly searching for new interests, information or activities/deals. And there are several unique features that are key to how you market your event.
Mobile phone as the beacon, and WI-FI agnostic: This technology is unique in you do not need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect. This not… 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