Experts & Opinions

Nov 27, 2015
What’s your first reaction after receiving a gift? I doubt it’s “That was nice, but I still don’t like them.” Most likely, it’s “That was so nice! How can I return the favor?”  If so, then you’re hardly alone. Social psychologists like to call it the Law of Reciprocity — we innately want to reciprocate when we’re given gifts. And while psychologists take an academic interest in the principle, marketers love it for brand strategy. As marketers know, it’s extraordinarily tough to connect with target customers. And while corporate gifts aren’t a new concept, they’re frankly an… more
Nov 21, 2015
Trade shows have a lot of competition when it comes to allocating marketing budgets. Internet advertising, social media and inbound marketing to responsive websites have been gaining a lot of marketing attention and money. The recession took a big hit on trade show budgets, too. But despite the bumpy roads of the past few years, trade shows keep going strong. Of course, it isn’t enough to just put up an exhibit. You need to take a strategic approach to ensure that your trade show efforts will pay off in solid leads and sales. Maximizing face-to-face marketing The trade show industry is… more
Nov 21, 2015
A lot of work goes into organizing a tradeshow and choosing a venue is a huge part of the process. When you opt to plan an eco-friendly event, that puts an extra emphasize on finding just the right fit for your venue. Here are 5 things to you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing an eco-friendly location you’re your next tradeshow. ·         The Host City is Pivotal - Determining the host city is the first decision to be made, but there are a lot of things to consider. The ideal location will be centrally located in order to minimize travel… more
Nov 15, 2015
If you know how to look, you can find inspiration everywhere — inspiration that can fuel your social life, your hobbies and passions, and even your career. For me, travel is a great way to gain the creativity that will show me how to become a better marketer. Whether I’m exploring my hometown, stretching out on the beach, or exercising my inner road warrior, I try to soak up every experience I can to gain perspective that can inform and inspire my day-to-day work. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way — most people view business travel as a nuisance and a time suck. And with 75 percent… more
Nov 12, 2015
Exhibitions are ubiquitous, yet are not seen as economic engines driving our GDP. It’s time for that to change. Exhibitions and events represent an incredibly diverse and prolific industry. After all, the face-to-face interaction, the knowledge sharing and the business opportunities that exhibitions make possible transcend individual business sectors and geographies. Exhibitions serve every business sector and every market, worldwide. There is little confusion around what one does at a trade show. People recognize that, for example, it’s a place where buyers and sellers… more
Nov 08, 2015
It’s the age-old question that all show managers ask, “How do I attract more attendees to my event?” The goal is to not only attract attendees to your current event, but to turn them into repeat attendees for years to come. A comprehensive and targeted marketing approach that encourages conversation and interaction will help you reach the greatest number of potential attendees who will in turn share the experience with their colleagues. #1. Analyze, personalize and segment your data: Begin your campaign strategy by leveraging your event’s existing data. Slice and dice your data into… more
Nov 01, 2015
There are many variables that play into the success of exhibiting at trade shows. However, the greatest indicator of your success at a trade show is how well your staff can connect with attendees. By properly training your staff and carefully choosing the type of people you want to represent your business, you can ensure that your trade show experience will be a hit! Here are a few tips to help make sure that your trade show staff is helping, not hurting your business.   1. Know your staff’s personality type. When choosing your trade show staff, take their personality into consideration… more
Nov 01, 2015
Whether you are looking to attend your first trade show, or simply looking to add more shows to your event list, finding the right match for your company can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider, many of which can be easily overlooked. To simplify the thought process, we’ve categorized the most important aspects into four main considerations: Demographics and Psychographics, niche, logistics, and competition. Demographics and Psychographics This is the most important thing to get right. Does the show target the right type of visitors to make it a good match for your company?… more
Oct 25, 2015
Traditional wide-net advertising — television, radio, and print — is great for building brand awareness quickly, but that wide net contains holes big enough for entire demographics to slip through. Brands that rely on courting niche demographics face a tough question: How can they engage an audience that doesn’t respond well to one-size-fits-all advertising? Event-based marketing is the answer. With event-based tactics, you can customize the engagement experience in a way the target demographic will best receive, connecting with the audience deeply and authentically. Events will let you… more
Oct 25, 2015
I recently was in Dubai and had afternoon tea at the Hotel Jumeirah. This was a great experience, including how the staff added to it.  It got me thinking about things you can do with your trade show to enhance the booth experience. Every staff member counts:  Every staff member can either add or detract from an experience. If you don’t empower your staff, or train them effectively, you may have staff members who miss opportunities for great engagement. It is true that every staff member counts when it comes to providing a great booth experience. Empower every staff member to… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.