Experts & Opinions
Oct 18, 2015
Event websites have come a long way. Time was (not so long ago, even!), just having a functional, decent-looking website put you ahead of the game. Thanks to newer, shinier technology, those days are dead! Despite this, so many event organizers and association managers still make the mistake of believing that snazzy design and a few front-end bells and whistles are enough. But the truth is, the same technology advances that have raised the stakes across-the-board have also made it possible for organizations of all sizes to transform their website from a pretty, virtual brochure into a… more
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Oct 18, 2015
Tradeshow takeaways are proven to leave an impression with your customers and if done right they can even drive traffic to your booth, so giveaways are a necessary marketing tool. Getting branded gear in your customer’s hands will definitely increase your brand awareness and recognition, but they are also an opportunity to reinforce your company’s stance on environmental issues.
1. Choose Something Reusable. Opting to print your branding on something reusable is good for the planet because it eliminates the need for disposable items. Giving your customers a… more
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Oct 11, 2015
Every year, the industry looks at the latest in exhibit trends – from fabrics to the latest technology. And while incorporating these elements into an experience might help make your brand look modern and cutting-edge, if it doesn’t meet your business and marketing goals, the experience will fall flat.
The fact is, exhibit design trends come and go, but in reality – trends don’t matter to the overall design. Rather it’s your approach to the design and execution of building your exhibit that matters most.
With an exhibit designed and built with a process like a well-oiled, working machine… more
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Oct 11, 2015
Three directors of fastest-growing trade shows log in to a webinar. The bartender-moderator asks, “what does it take?” The first show director says, “change is required.” The second director says, “change is required.” The third one, “change is required.”
That’s right – there’s no punchline, unless the joke is on you. Because that actually happened Sept. 24 during the Trade Show News Network webinar “Fast Like Us: What it Takes to be One of the Fastest-Growing Trade Shows in North America”.
During that webinar I was joined by three smart people making a difference in their show… more
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Oct 04, 2015
It was almost exactly one year ago that I had my first IKEA experience, and since then I’ve been back more times than I can count. The first time my husband and I visited, we spent more than five hours exploring the non-traditional retail store, and most every visit since has been for at least an hour and a half, even if we knew exactly what we were looking for. (Of course most every visit also includes either a meal of Swedish meatballs in their restaurant or a stop at the bistro for ice cream or a cinnamon roll …)
So besides the sheer size (about 300,000 square feet, or five… more
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Oct 04, 2015
Your marketing and logistics prior to the show were on the dot, leading to a successful tradeshow.
Your displays were attractive with concise messaging and your team turned pitching into an art form, helping you gain some leads, maybe even more leads than you were expecting.
Now what? According to a study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), 80 percent of leads generated on the trade show floor go unfulfilled.
Don’t let your leads fizzle into one-time handshakes. Turn introductions into active leads; lead management is after all the final and most important stage of… more
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Sep 26, 2015
I once worked with a client who held a consumer event each year that netted many sponsors. When the sponsorships started dropping like flies and the client fretted, my company interviewed some of the sponsors.
The interviewees said our client offered so many sponsorships, the opportunities offered little value to them. They felt they had to compete with too many other sponsors for recognition and recall. This information was crucial for our client, and we never would have known if we hadn’t reached out to the sponsors for their feedback.
Ask and You Shall… more
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Sep 26, 2015
The 2016 trade show season is upon us, so if you are planning to attend, sponsor or exhibit at a trade show and haven’t started planning yet, it’s time to start.
Trade shows are a big marketing investment and meticulous planning is required in order to make it worth the time and money.
A successful trade show plan needs to be started at least six months in advance of the show, and in some cases, depending on the scale of the show or your level of participation like speaking engagements, planning may need to kick-off a year or more in advance.
To help you out, we’ve created a Trade Show Booth… more
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Sep 19, 2015
Successful trade show exhibitions are those earning a quantifiable return on the investment. If you want that successful ROI, it requires lots of careful planning.
Front and center of that planning is the actual budget for the trade show.
Too many first time exhibitors and even seasoned trade show veterans make the critical mistake of improper budgeting, simply because they do not plan out for all the variables that come with a trade show.
There is much more to a comprehensive trade show exhibit budget than you’d expect. In order to stay within budget and avoid the potential cost overruns,… more
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Sep 19, 2015
A great event management team will do their absolute best in covering all the bases for their event(s), especially when it comes to fulfilling needs and satisfying both clients and end users. As 2015 is the Year of the Attendee, these needs are something important to consider prior to, during, and even after an event has ended. Below are a few ways to help meet attendee needs.
1: CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY: ENGAGEMENT
The pre-event chatter is essential in getting to know the type of attendee, what attracts them to the event, and how they plan on taking their acquired knowledge with them… more
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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.