Experts & Opinions
Oct 30, 2016
Readers responsible for organizing professional events, conferences and trade shows know that one of the biggest event planning challenges is registering enough attendees to “fill the house.” In order to do that organizers need to be proficient at various event marketing strategies and perhaps one of the most cost-effective strategies to employ is content marketing.
According to a study released by Curata (a content marketing platform) 88% of marketers use content marketing to promote a product or service in North America, and 75% planed to increase content marketing activities this year. It’… more
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Oct 23, 2016
An age-old debate has finally been resolved – by me, at least, anyway. A big mistake a lot of show organizers and marketing firms make is changing their event’s brand each year. This needs to stop.
Creating a new campaign for an annual trade show or conference is fine. In fact, it’s a necessary way to illustrate what’s new and different about your show. But changing the complete look and feel of your event each year - as many shows do - damages the show brand because it eliminates whatever brand equity you have built.
Think of it this way. What would you think if Starbucks changed its logo,… more
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Oct 21, 2016
Trade show exhibiting can be a little overwhelming, especially if your show is just around the corner and you don’t have a clear trade show strategy. The key to success is careful planning. Exhibiting at an exhibition is very different from attending an exhibition. To drive traffic to your exhibition stand and leave a memorable impression on your visitors, you need to create a detailed plan for your event activities.
1. Choosing the right show
With thousands of exhibitions taking place around the world, it’s important to choose the right one. Exhibitions are a great marketing tool, especially… more
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Oct 15, 2016
There’s no denying how effective promotional products can be for businesses at trade shows – and it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in either. Why? Because the products are designed to get your name and branding in front of people, to help them remember you when they’re in need of your product or service.
Nowadays there is such a wide range of promotional products available to give out at trade shows, so you’ll be able to find something that suits your target audience and your budget.
Let’s start with the classics…
The most obvious choice of promo product for a trade show would be pens.… more
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Oct 14, 2016
Storytelling, User-Generated Content, Virtual Reality... The global event series, Social Media Week is known for covering a range of exciting topics of relevance to our industry. Video, however, is one trend that really seemed to jump out at me as part of the London installment.
Many of the speakers, including representatives from brands such as Facebook and National Geographic, stressed that incorporating video into social is the way of the future. It’s an effective tool for the events industry, as it enables us to promote our client’s events in an engaging way… more
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Oct 07, 2016
From seasoned event organizers to novice marketers, everyone measures event ROI differently. Organizers and meeting planners are often looking to better understand the big picture and are searching for ways to prove ROI while improving their programs.
But each organization has unique goals and objectives. And an event measurement strategy should be as unique as the event itself.
There are, however, certain universal aspects that should be part of every trade show or event measurement plan to ensure a healthy, vibrant, successful program year after year. Instead of looking at metrics… more
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Oct 07, 2016
As someone who grew up in the 60s and 70s, I consumed a lot of sugar. I mean A LOT. Kool-Aid, popsicles, Shasta pop, ice cream, breakfast cereal, and every Hostess snack from Twinkies to Ding Dongs (perhaps the best product name ever!). Sugar and salt (S&S) balanced an endless dinner-time diet of casseroles and salads with mayonnaise. It was a great childhood.
The sugar feeding frenzy wouldn’t have been complete without packaged cookies. My mother called the shots when it came to cookies, which meant she bought store or off-brand cookies most of the time. But occasionally, she would… more
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Oct 01, 2016
For years, trade show giveaways have been used to foster goodwill and generate leads with potential clients and prospects. However, since giveaways have become commonplace at shows, do they still have the same impact they once did? How can a reboot to your giveaway strategy impact your show presence and fully capitalize on the benefits of exhibiting?
Here are a few things to consider when refreshing your trade show giveaway strategy:
Tell Your Brand Story. A giveaway without a connection to your brand will just get lost in the shuffle. Even the coolest giveaways will fall flat if the attendee… more
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Oct 01, 2016
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett
What is the price of exhibit space for your show? Pricing is both an art and a science, and in the process one has to take into consideration a variety of factors. First and foremost in developing a pricing strategy is to scope out the competition. Then one has to take into consideration all the factors that go into both the budget for the show and also the budgets of the respective exhibitors.
In the past, I have always been weary of dramatic price increases and have chosen a strategy of incremental increases. With this… more
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Sep 24, 2016
Whether or not your brand has established eco goals or objectives, there’s a lot of value for the planet, for your brand and for your prospects and customers in going green at trade shows. Here are 5 tips and eco-friendly ideas to use at your next trade show.
1. Stand Out with a Full-Color Custom Reusable Bag. Design “THE” bag everyone wants to grab at the show. I have seen this done many times before. If you work with the right people and make use of the many ways that you can use a custom reusable bag for marketing, your brand can offer an eco-friendly “gift” that will work for your… 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.