Experts & Opinions
Sep 12, 2019
Nineteenth-century U.S. merchant and marketing pioneer John Wanamaker observed: “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is, I don’t know which half.”
Many event organizers identify with Wanamaker when it comes to event data. They know their data is telling them something, they’re just not sure what that something is. And they’re not certain how to harness their data to more closely monitor the lifeblood of their trade show: qualified attendance growth.
Fortunately, today’s organizers have more data tools and strategies than Wanamaker did and, by following these steps… more
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Sep 10, 2019
Should event planners consider AV as a primary planning item at the very outset of their next? We think they should.
As we wrote in Part One of this two-part series, AV planning can help nail down budgets and establish how the production will meet corporate objectives.
We first covered attendee numbers, room size and how AV companies cost out their equipment. Now, we’ll dive further into logistics, what you’re actually buying and the seven elemental questions to answer prior to meeting with an AV pro.
Access, Logistics & Power
So, with the space requirements, objectives and… more
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Sep 05, 2019
Most trade show booth traffic is “passive.”People passing the booth recognize the company name and look to see “what’s new.”Others recognize the equipment on display and decide they want to learn more.
Exhibitors who rely on passive traffic alone, however, miss out on a huge number of qualified prospects who simply don’t “see” their booth or actively choose to ignore it.
Expert exhibitors know maximizing the number of qualified leads they get from each show means actively attracting traffic to their booth and enticing qualified buyers into the booth to meet the booth team.
So how do you… more
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Sep 03, 2019
Experiential marketing is one of event planning’s hottest trends right now. According to the site Statista, 74 percent of consumers said they were more likely to purchase products promoted by events, and 93 percent of them claimed that live events had a larger influence on them than TV ads. But experiential marketing can be expensive. Take these 10 steps to secure stakeholder buy-in and support.
1. Set an Appointment to Ensure All Decision Makers Are Present
Don’t catch your stakeholders in the hallway and hope to “put a bug in their ear.” Make sure all decision-makers are present in your… more
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Aug 29, 2019
With all the logistics you have to manage for your company’s trade show program, you might feel justified in skipping trade show promotional activities. But that would be like planning a party, and not sending out all the invitations.
Sure, the show organizer will get people to the showfloor. But it’s up to you to get them to your booth space. Here are seven reasons why trade show promotional activities are so worth your effort:
1. They attract more booth traffic
As attendees wander down the aisles, their eyes are bombarded by structures, images and words from all sides. What wins in that… more
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Aug 26, 2019
Aside from your exhibit design, the location of your trade show booth is one of the most important factors to consider when planning to exhibit. Each space within a venue will have its advantages and disadvantages; knowing how to identify these will help you secure the best space for your business.
Make sure you’re in the know
The key to securing a great exhibit space is to be in the know about when the trade show organizers begin selling these spaces to ensure you receive first pick. You can keep up to date with any news about floor space by following website pages and social media… more
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Aug 22, 2019
As event planners ponder budget numbers for their next event, one of the bigger line items will be establishing AV and event staging costs. In many cases, they won’t consume the majority of an event budget, or the meeting planner’s many ongoing concerns leading up to the day of the event.
But, as we routinely counsel our clients, AV should be a primary planning item at the very outset. This is not just to nail down budgets, which of course is important, but how corporate objectives will be met.
Like many purchases, AV and event staging costs can vary – widely. For example, if you’re in… more
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Aug 19, 2019
Within a few days of returning from a trade show, it’s important to get together with your team to review the event’s successes and failures. Your booth staff will have fresh memories of what went well or wrong, and those staff who didn’t attend the event will likely have early impressions of any resultant sales or leads.
To ensure you capture this feedback in a way that can guide next year’s exhibit, we’d like to offer up the following list of staff questions.
Pre-Show Marketing
Did attendees mention any of your pre-show communications?
Which advertising and marketing channels seemed to… more
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Aug 14, 2019
Managing an event can feel like a cat rodeo, with huge groups of people headed every which way and different things on their minds. It’s easy to become frustrated when attendees do not do what we want them to do. Event planners predict behaviors based on activity history, then use those projections for forecasting and budgeting. When the target audience does not “behave” as projected, it can impact the success of the event.
Don’t sit by and watch. Here are nine actions you can take to achieve desired attendee behaviors.
9. Master Segmentation to Help Your Audience Hear You
Audience… more
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Aug 12, 2019
Taking part in exhibitions and other events is key for businesses to create new leads, nurture relationships and promote their products or services.
Nowadays, there are trade shows for most industries, providing great opportunities to reach new audiences. But with some of the biggest exhibitions attracting thousands of exhibitors, how do you ensure you not only stand out from your competitors, but also achieve a good return on investment?
Plan ahead
Planning is one of the top priorities when it comes to maximizing your results at exhibitions, so make sure you have a clear strategy in… more
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.