Experts & Opinions
Dec 31, 2012
As the year comes to an end, we can’t help but think about what we want to achieve in 2013, both personally and professionally. People often want to start fresh each year, and the top resolutions are almost always about healthy living and balanced life styles. As event planners, we can take a lesson from this and make an effort to incorporate wellness into our meetings.
So where do you start? The first and most obvious place to begin is your menus. Are they healthy and well balanced with assorted proteins, vegetables, and fruits, or are they sugar-loaded, carbohydrate-rich belly bombs… more
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Dec 25, 2012
Thanks to increasing commercialization, the advertising and marketing industries are contributing ever-larger volumes of waste each year. Marketing collateral and display stands use enormous amounts of paper. A considerable chunk of glossy brochures and handouts are not always properly recycled and use non-sustainable printing processes and chemicals harmful to the environment.
Apart from wasting trees, the manufacturing process also carries a large carbon footprint. In fact, trade expo centers like the US and Middle East can emit up to 200,000 tons of carbon a year on the production of… more
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Dec 11, 2012
I literally have been to five cities in the past seven weeks, including holding the TSNN Awards in Louisville, reporting on two energy-related trade shows in Houston and Pittsburgh and going to last week’s International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! in Orlando.
I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am an extremely fortunate person to work in the trade show industry and to wake up every day excited to do my job.
The No. 1 reason I love the trade show industry, by far, is the people.
This industry has such amazing people working in it, many of whom I… more
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Dec 08, 2012
If your organization is hosting a conference or trade show you need to ensure that your staff members are fully participating. If your people are corralled in the back of the room or in a side office, then you are missing out on the real value long-term the event can bring.
Sure, someone has to work the check-in table and take care of other house-keeping issues (and emergencies), but too often the association staff or company employees are not part of the community that is created when we bring people together. Worse, sometimes the executives or sales staff get to mingle with… more
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Dec 08, 2012
Yes, we are at the end of the year, where we look at the trends that our industry has embraced in 2012. Some are cool, some not so much. So, let’s see what’s what.
1. Digital Sales Material – thank God this finally caught on, and let’s hope this isn’t a trend! My readers should know by now that digital marketing is the wave of the future, and NOT a trend. Get on this bandwagon before you get run over. You can send material instantly, you know your attendee has it, you can track to see if they share it, if they use any clicks to your… more
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Dec 01, 2012
Twitteris an ideal medium to drive significantly more traffic to your website. It allows you to reach out to audiences that you would not cover with your existing database. The first step, however, is to collect new and relevant followers in a systematic way. How can you do that?
As long as you don‘t have tens of thousands of followers, you might want to focus on 4 core activities on Twitter:
Here are 15 useful tips that work particularly well for event organizers:
Determine a short and unique hashtag (e.g. #wnc11 for World Newspaper Congress 2011) and use it in your own tweets… more
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Dec 01, 2012
In a previous blog post, I wrote about the importance of sustainability in event planning and marketing. With a little determination and effort, it’s easy to make the promotion of your event more eco-friendly.
So, how exactly do you go green with your marketing? Start out by doing your homework. There are multiple resources available to help you, including the Green Meetings Industry Council, the Convention Industry Council’s Green Meetings Report, and the EPA’s Green Meetings and Events Guide.
Analyze your event, consider your strengths and weaknesses and determine what… more
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Nov 24, 2012
This is the fifth part of a six-part series on WiFi at events. The next “C“ you need to consider when designing a good network is connectivity (or bandwidth).
If, for a moment, you think of internet access like water, the first “C’s” we addressed covered your sprinkler system.
Now, you need to make sure you have enough water traveling through your pipes if you want the sprinklers to work properly. Even the best sprinkler system in the world is not going to effectively water your lawn if your pipes are too narrow or if there isn’t a sufficient supply… more
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Nov 12, 2012
"We are victims of our own greed."
That bombshell was launched at the recent TSNN T-awards conference Nov. 2-4 by David Audrain, representing the Society of Independent Show Organizers on a "State of the Industry" panel, offering words of wisdom to organizers of the TSNN 50 fastest-growing shows, gathered in Louisville for the celebratory weekend.
When asked by TSNN President Rachel Wimberly about response to recent economic troubles, Audrain pointed out how many were rethinking their reliance on exhibitor revenue.
Still others are rethinking the service experiences… more
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Nov 10, 2012
Event organizers are never satisfied with the status quo, but always looking for new ways to brand and market shows, and return value for exhibitors and attendees.
We still believe that face-to-face conversation trumps all other communication, but social media is proving to be a valuable complement.
I must admit, I’m a social media junkie. I find myself reading more articles today on industry trends than the gossip blogs I read (more than I want to admit) in college.
IMEX America 2012 was truly an inspiration to me. It showed me new ways to use social media to engage with exhibitors… more
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Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.