Blogs

Sep 14, 2013
To be honest, Content Marketing World didn’t simply impress me; it knocked my socks off. It was an event to which every trade show and conference organizer should aspire to produce. From the moment I walked into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to attend the opening night festivities, I knew I had stumbled on an experience like no other. The venue was humming with excitement, and everywhere you turned there were people wearing orange, the signature color of Joe Pulizzi, founder of Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World. Participants of Content Marketing World aren… more
Sep 14, 2013
If you’re an invested business owner, then you are constantly looking for every edge possible to help differentiate your products and services from the competition. Well, trade show management companies are no different. With you folks in mind, we’ve developed some creative ideas for helping exhibitors to enhance their bottom line and show some personality – and some SWAG, too. Ready for that? Good. The first idea is to develop unique, never-been-seen-before event materials and the second is giveaways, for both the show and its exhibitors. The benefits of this… more
Sep 06, 2013
As an event organizer, retaining exhibitors is an important goal. What keeps exhibitors happy and keeps them coming back? Attendees. Let’s consider how we can get attendees and exhibitors engaged with one another in a meaningful way. “Stamp my card” so I can qualify for a prize drawing is not a meaningful way. “Give me a pen” is not a meaningful way. “Hi, I see you are from Sheboygan”, is not a meaningful way. When you are exhibiting at an event, it’s important to cut through the clutter and stand out. If you are going to exhibit at a… more
Sep 06, 2013
I was fortunate enough to lecture at MPI SEC a few weeks ago in Florida.  My allergies did not like the weather and started acting up.  On my way to Seattle right after the lecture the unthinkable happened:  I lost my voice.  I have not had laryngitis since college, so you can imagine my dismay. Now anyone who has attended my lectures or knows me understands two things.  First, my voice is loud, and I have no problem using it.  Second, my company is based on using words (both oral and written).  What I did not realize is how powerful my voice actually is.… more
Aug 31, 2013
At some point during the career of fortunate exhibit marketers, they have a startling revelation: They don’t have to remain “the victim” who manages an out-of-control trade show program.  They can push back against all the forces of chaos, make good, informed decisions, and significantly improve their company’s trade shows performance.  They can “be the change.” Before the awakening, the reactive trade show manager focused just getting through the day-to-day hustle of managing the logistics of their trade show booths.  It was all about… more
Aug 31, 2013
Let me start by saying personal wireless mobile hotspots from the major cellular carriers like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are an incredible resource. Whether as a stand-alone product like a MiFi or as a feature of a smartphone, setting up a mobile hotspot can be an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way of creating your own WiFi network to get all of your devices online just about anywhere. That said, be forewarned if you plan to use this strategy at a trade show. To understand why personal hotspots are often unreliable at trade shows, it is important to know a little bit about how WiFi… more
Aug 23, 2013
I had the chance to sit down with Bob Noble, president of Noble Environmental Technologies.  As a licensed architect, he knows a thing or two about materials and design.  And I was intrigued at the introduction of his new product.  What if, instead of having materials decide your trade show booth design, it was the other way around? And, what if you could impact the environment while doing so?  The product, called ECOR®, uses paper, agricultural and forest product waste and develops a ‘recycled stew’ to produce fiber building blocks that can then be used… more
Aug 18, 2013
Ah yes, an exciting career in tradeshow sales.  Selling the power of your attendees, the excitement and buzz of the show and the opportunity to participate in THE marketplace for the industry … you can smell the jet fuel already. … And then you get the client on the phone. Sometimes the clients are sophisticated marketers that know exactly what they want.  Sometimes they need a little guidance and hand-holding – perhaps a reminder that your show is the one in March in Orlando.  And then there are those that can’t tell a 10 x 10 from a roll of… more
Aug 17, 2013
TSNN decided to start off 2014 with one of the most popular blog posts from last year. Enjoy! We love Mike's work! Looking for statistical justification that trade shows are a great marketing medium?  Or numerical inspiration to guide your trade show program?  You’ve come to the right place. At EXHIBITOR 2013 this year, Skyline hosted a game show called “Staggering Trade Show Stats” in our trade show booth. These stats were shared with show attendees to help them justify and maximize their trade show marketing. You can use these 16 stats to help guide… more
Aug 10, 2013
Planning for a trade show can be intense and overwhelming, even for seasoned exhibitors, so when you reach out to your exhibitors you want to quickly and easily explain to them why taking advantage of different eco-friendly sponsorships can help their business and the planet. Here are Three Strategies for Selling Trade Show Sponsorships with an Environmental Edge Branded Recycling Bins - Recycling bins should be located in a high-traffic area so people can easily dispose of their empty soda and water bottles and other recyclable materials right? Emblazoning a recycling bin with a company… 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