Experts & Opinions

May 14, 2016
Yes, I am throwing down the gauntlet!  Ditch your paper event guide, maps, and programs.  You are wasting your money, your sponsors’ money, and the time it takes to put all that printed material together.  You are also killing the environment.  Do I have your blood boiling yet?  Let me see if I can make the case for you to switch. The digital technology for all of your needs is reliable, is available, costs less than printed paper, and is being used daily by your constituents’ 100% of the time.  That is right - 100%.  How many people do not have a cell phone… more
May 07, 2016
Forty-six percent of decision-makers attending trade shows determine what to purchase during the course of the event. If you can deliver a strong impression during your next trade show, you stand a better chance of selling your products to those in attendance - making the trade show well worth your investment of time and money. To stand out from the rest, use our 8 foolproof ways to make a great impression. 1. Invest in displays and custom tents. If you have a colorful, branded trade show booth, visitors will be drawn to your display. Investing in custom tents, banners, flags, and custom… more
May 07, 2016
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. " - John F. Kennedy Many of us have as much joyful anticipation of going to a business retreat or planning meeting as having a root canal. However, as I look back on my career, one particular meeting stands out in a very positive way. The focus of the meeting was to take a look at ourselves and business model and relate it to change. We were shown a video by Joel Barker on paradigms and how they structure our behavior. A paradigm centers on a theory or a group of ideas about how… more
May 01, 2016
If you’ve got a product or concept to sell, a trade show can be a great venue to demonstrate your solution for a receptive audience. But before you can make a sale or find an investor or development partner, you’ll have to capture the attention of trade show attendees. And remember — you’ll have a lot of competition since fellow exhibitors will also be pulling out all the stops to make sure potential buyers focus on their products instead.  What you’ll need for a successful trade show experience is a way to cut through the sensory overload and get your message across to the people who… more
May 01, 2016
Fact:  There are dozens of mobile event app companies. However, having more options doesn’t make your job any easier. Fact:  Most apps have the basic features that you want. From Alerts, Schedules, Exhibitor Listings, and Social Engagement … name it and most apps have it. Fact:  Not all mobile app providers are created equal. I recently attended AENC’s Technology Conference and one of the sessions really resonated with me.  It was called Questions I Wish People Would Ask.  Being in a sales position, I love it when prospective clients ask questions but I appreciate it… more
Apr 23, 2016
There are great technology advances to monitor where your attendees go on the show floor and in your booth. But, what data pieces are key to track and apply to your trade show marketing strategy? Where does your attendee go, and linger?  One key element to track with your booth, or conference, to determine how your traffic is faring is actual traffic patterns.  Where do your attendees go, and how do they get there?  Where do they congregate, and what areas are they skipping entirely?  How they move within your booth can show you dead space, or space where you could add… more
Apr 23, 2016
The IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) is just a few days away, and its approach has me looking at some of the lessons I learned (some the hard way) and issues like the wage gap that many woman are still facing today. Bridging the Gap I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and had a promising foundation for future career success. In June of 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, which should have signaled the end to gender discrimination in our country.  Title IX gave me access to sports and an understanding of fair competition.  I had grandparents who were… more
Apr 16, 2016
"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - Prison Warden, Cool Hand Luke Technology has changed our lives dramatically, especially in terms of communication. The Millennial Generation has no concept of what life was like in the “good old days”. The company for which I was a publisher started an international magazine in the mid-1960’s and subsequently established a sales office in the Netherlands. Back then, to make an international phone call was like taking your bank account and signing it over to Ma Bell; so the firm had to devise a way for the Dutch office to communicate with the… more
Apr 16, 2016
Business-to-business marketing presents unique challenges not faced when marketing to consumers. Businesses take the time to carefully evaluate each product or service for its potential return on investment and rely on trusted partnerships and outstanding customer service.  Trade shows provide marketers the chance to effectively target, market and connect with potential buyers, which is key in securing healthy business-to-business marketing ROI. Read the three tips below, and find out how a properly executed trade show campaign can help you increase your marketing return. 1. Businesses… more
Apr 09, 2016
Four years. That’s all it’s taken for Snapchat to become one of the biggest social media outlets worldwide. One of the most common misconceptions about Snapchat has been the particular audience (teens) and how they were using it (disappearing photos), and its lead to slow adoption among non-millennials. Unfortunately, this has prevented many from experiencing the powerful business applications of the technology. And, no application may be greater than that of Snapchat for events. There are over 100 million active users on Snapchat today and 7 billion videos are viewed a day. When Facebook… more
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.