Experts & Opinions
Jun 09, 2017
On your post-event survey, are you asking attendees if this is their first time attending your event?
Anecdotally, I can tell you that 70-80 percent of event organizers we speak with ask their attendees this question. And it makes sense: the keys to growing your event are based on your ability to attract new attendees while retaining your current customer base.
If an attendee doesn’t return to the event the following year, or ever, is it really a lost opportunity?
Did they have a poor onsite experience?
or
Did they leave their company – maybe the industry all-together?
There are… more
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Jun 07, 2017
Throughout the registration process of an event, show management has the opportunity to collect an incredible amount of data about their show’s attendees. This data – registration and attendance patterns, demographics, region and registration classification – is a rich source of information.
Taking data and making it work for you is about more than just capturing information. Data needs to be analyzed and used to produce a successful event.
With so much data available, making decisions about what to do with it can be a daunting challenge. Where do you begin?
Before you can create… more
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Jun 01, 2017
I was recently reading a trade show industry blog and one of my pet peeves jumped out and grabbed me. My blood pressure immediately shot up. It was an article on how an exhibitor enticed attendees to drop off their business cards in a bucket at their exhibit to win a TV and how wonderful it was to get so many more trade show leads. The only problem is, the cards – that they called “leads” – had no known connection whatsoever with the card owner having any interest at all in their product.
I hate to be the one to break the bad news to the exhibitors who do this, but what… more
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May 30, 2017
Organizers are constantly looking for any edge to grow their shows. But those who plan and consider the Second-Year Quotient can experience a big difference – both to the bottom line and attendee satisfaction. “2YQ” can be strategic planning factor that is based on the likelihood first-time attendees will return to the same event in the future.
Driving return attendance is a hot button issue for event organizers and it has a lot to do with a
first-timer having a good experience. There are many ways to ensure first-timers have a good
experience and your event technology can be a major… more
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May 25, 2017
Each time you sell your products at a trade show display, you put in a lot of effort, time and money. It is, therefore, paramount to find all ways of maximizing that investment.
Your primary objective should be on how to create an attention that will remain even after the show, no matter how small your budget might be.
Custom trade show displays do not have to be very expensive, but they have to be creative, smart and memorable. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure that you have an affordable and fruitful custom trade show display.
Use Simple Lighting System
Illumination is usually… more
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May 23, 2017
Most of us have heard a variation of this question at some point in our lives: if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do the same?
The point of this rhetorical question was meant to drive home the concept of exploring your own path rather than following in the footsteps of others. It was great advice but as marketers, many of us find ourselves following the industry pack and landing on the hard ground of unoriginality.
Best practices exist for a reason. They lay the foundation and give marketers a solid starting point. But we live in an increasingly competitive age where consumers… more
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May 18, 2017
My company has been providing shipping and transport cases for the trade show industry for many years. As such, we’ve operated out on the periphery, which has given us a unique perspective. We get a “big picture” view of industry movements and trends a bit earlier than specialized companies more deeply entrenched in industry segments.
The Industry Is Taking a Greater Toll on Earth’s Resources
Through the years, I’ve watched the industry evolve in several ways. For example, the number of cases per show (and the case sizes) has continued to increase along with greater booth design complexity.… more
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May 16, 2017
During the recent SISO CEO Summit, I presented to delegates some highlights from my white paper: How to structure the events organizer of the future. Essentially, it’s a survival checklist that every event organizer should follow.
Why? Because right now, the business of organizing events is being tested. Exhibitors and attendees are asking for more. The digital revolution is encroaching on the event industry and competition is intensifying. Making structural changes – even those that challenge the status quo – within the organization will enable event organizers to thrive in an era of massive… more
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May 12, 2017
Good news for trade show organizers: According to a recent Attendee Acquisition Benchmarks and Trends Study, 66 percent of organizations are expecting increased attendance in 2017.
So, while this optimistic outlook is encouraging, how should you go about getting your share of this increased attendance? In other words, how do you grow your trade show?
Target Executive-Level Professionals. A study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) indicated that the majority of first-time attendees at trade shows are executive-level professionals who have the authority to make… more
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May 09, 2017
You know that your booth staffers are one of your most valuable, if not the most valuable asset when exhibiting at a trade show or hosting a business event. However, you may feel like you have little to no control over how they perform at the show. Yet, by selecting the right staffers, offering appropriate incentives, recognition and training, you can be sure they will rise to the challenge and become excellent brand ambassadors for your company.
Make Staffers Accountable
For example, if you have no accountability for the leads or connections that they make at the trade show, they… 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.