Experts & Opinions
Apr 07, 2012
Is content king?
I continue to see the discussion around the meetings industry about "content versus style" when it comes to speakers. I have long argued that there should be no disagreement on this topic, as it is not too much to expect both from those who make presentations at events.
I would never argue against content. That is crazy talk. However, there seems to be a fear of "pure motivational speakers" taking over the meeting world. I am not even sure what that means. Without content, there is no motivation. "Fluff" cannot stand alone. We need and… more
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Apr 03, 2012
Full disclosure: I am not an LA Dodger fan. I am an insufferable Chicago Cub fan. This is our year. Really.
The LA Dodgers just sold for US$ 2.15 Billion. Nice day for Frank McCourt, a fairly vilified citizen of LA; not quite as nice for his ex-wife Jamie. But that is another post.
Why should the event marketing industry care?
The Dodgers sale goes beyond the actual games and the true dollar value comes from the extension of the games off the field, in much the same way that trade shows and meetings now are looking to extend their live events by embracing the online… more
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Mar 29, 2012
I’ve traveled the world looking for the best practices in exhibiting. Though at first the following steps to creating the best attendee experience may seem counterintuitive, they are in fact revolutionary.
Step 1- Prepare a “show-stopping” layout:
No one wants too many people in an exhibit. Do what you can to prevent attendees from entering your booth. Designing visible and physical obstacles is your goal. Start by blocking the perimeter of your exhibit with counters, walls or whatever you have left in your crates. Pay close attention to the corners of the exhibit… more
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Mar 18, 2012
It started with a tweet:
“Connect to #Badgeless2012, FB on.fb.me/xrP9zC and the Web bit.ly/AuxLX”
At first, I thought that “Badgeless” might be referring to a technology that allowed event participants to interact with one another without using the square 3 x 4” piece of paper dangling from a string that we refer to as a badge.
I was wrong. A subsequent Twitter exchange with Chris Heuer, the founder of the global Social Media Club organization and member of the Badgeless Group at SXSWi, revealed so much more:
Badgeless is an organized movement of individuals… more
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Mar 10, 2012
Hidden rules govern almost every area of our lives. They guide our behavior and expectations, yet are rarely written down for us in neat little books.
For example, there’s the 5 Second Rule: When a piece of food falls on the floor, you can eat it if you pick it up within five seconds. There’s the High Heel Rule: if a woman is taller than her date, she is less likely to wear high heels. And there’s the Full Moon Rule: On days with a full moon, there are more crimes committed and babies born.
Uncover the 18 Hidden Rules of Trade Shows… more
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Mar 01, 2012
A lot has changed during the past three years. Virtual Events, hybrid extensions of live events and perpetual (year-round) environments are becoming more mainstream. The platforms also have evolved - costs are coming down and the solutions are more flexible.
These developments come at a time when associations in particular are revising their business models and looking for alternative content and education delivery systems. Forprofit groups are seeking ways to enhance and grow their live events.
Even with all of the recent discussion and activity around virtual events, some individuals… more
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Feb 26, 2012
*Editor’s note – Mike’s blog on leads previously was published on Skyline Exhibits, but after a recent #Expochat Twitter discussion on the continuing issue of lead followup, this post is as timely as ever.
If you think you are doing a great job following up on your leads, unfortunately, the visitors to your trade show exhibit may not agree. What you consider good lead fulfillment may look very different to them.
In a blog post on her Trade Show Institute blog, Traci Brown tells a sorry tale about her visit to the AIBTM show, where she happily had… more
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Feb 26, 2012
UPDATE - Tues. Feb. 28 - Breaking News - TSEA transfers members, assets to EACA --- more on TSNN HERE.
I started hearing rumors a while ago about the possible fate of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association, most suggesting the organization was going to close its doors.
I’ve been a journalist for a long time, and I firmly believe in two things about rumors: 1.) I would never, ever print one unless it was confirmed and 2.) Usually rumors don’t start in a vacuum – there tends to be something to them, although they might be a different version of what’s being spread around… more
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Feb 26, 2012
When you are trying to be an agent of change in planning a conference or trade show (or any event) you will often run into those who are not willing to take risks.
There is a lot of talk in the meetings industry about how to refresh events, but there is also resistance. The desire to shake up your program is often stifled by those with their own agenda or no ability to have a vision. It can often feel like you are running up hill in the mud.
The experience is frustrating and lonely when you are a seeker, especially when you are not sure what you are looking to find.
I spoke to a planner… more
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Feb 16, 2012
First of all, I haven’t blogged on TSNN in too long of a time.
As important as it is to stay connected to the community in this way, it seems like the hardest thing in the world to find time for. I’ll try harder.
I’ve written on the trade show industry for seven years now. I started at Tradeshow Week in 2006 before coming to Trade Show News Network in 2010.
During that time, I wrote about the go-go days, where shows were booming, mergers and acquisitions deals were happening every which way you turned and it seemed the sun couldn’t shine any brighter.
The good… more
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Partner Voices
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