Experts & Opinions
May 16, 2014
How do event organizers keep exhibitors happy and coming back every year? Here are six new ideas to consider.
1. Strive to solve top exhibitor pain points: cost, confusion, lodging, and shipping. Discover their expectations.
2. Rewards Program: Ways to reward loyalty beyond priority booth selection: local discounts, perks, discounted sponsorships.
3. During move in and move out offer free snacks and drinks to weary exhibitors.
4. Minimize pages and fine print in exhibitor kit. Limit rules and guidelines and consolidate suppliers.
5. Consult all year long, be available on social… more
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May 12, 2014
All was quiet today outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center as the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology is going on inside without interruption.
The labor situation at the PCC escalated recently when two of the six unions refused to sign a new customer service agreement last week and now are out of the center.
After seeing numerous reports in the local papers about the tension at the PCC, almost all accompanied by pictures of picket lines, I decided to head down there myself to have a look.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) was holding one of their events at the… more
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May 10, 2014
Being a trade show success takes more than just setting up your booth, collecting business cards, and handing out freebies. To get the most targeted traffic at trade show displays, having a proper marketing campaign is essential. Promoting the booth before, during, and after the event is important because this is what brings awareness to your audience about your presence at the trade show. So, what is the best way to do this? I have narrowed down the top 5 things you could do that are cost-effective and will draw in more traffic.
1. Social Media
Most people… more
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May 08, 2014
The bold stand that the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) and SMG are taking to improve the competitiveness of its destination is the right step for the trade show and meetings industry.
The PCCA and SMG have been working on a new Customer Satisfaction Agreement since December 2013, which addresses the concerns raised by customers and trade unions that operate in the building.
In an open letter issued to its stakeholders, the PCCA and SMG officials said, "Customers have indicated to the PCCA, SMG, and our partners at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB)… more
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May 03, 2014
Integrating technology into your tradeshow experience will get people engaged and excited about what you’re offering and when you can introduce technology while also going green you can help the planet and stay true to your environmental initiatives.
Here are some ideas to bring green technology into your tradeshow booth.
Go Green with Eco Apps
Look for an app that will streamline your ordering process and eliminate paper forms and receipts. Handshake is a great option that digitally streamlines the ordering process. Oftentimes, putting together an order through an app is quicker and… more
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May 03, 2014
It’s the nature of our business to win and lose clients. Losing a client to a competitor always hurts, but I know that I’ll get the chance to win them back. Losing a client to cancer is altogether different.
I recently lost a role-model and friend, Carol Christison. For the last 31 years, Carol was the brand leader, creative director, steward, and President of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association, and I have had pleasure of knowing her for the past 11 years.
Our friendship was more than a client-vendor relationship, although I think she made everyone feel more important… more
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Apr 26, 2014
On a Sunday night in early April, I became engrossed in the biggest pro wrestling event of the year and annual pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania. Stick with me here - behind the drama and spandex, there’s additional perspective to be gained from pro wrestling on how to achieve meaningful trade show and event engagement. Inspired by WWE’s WrestleMania XXX, here are some tips on enhancing your face-to-face marketing by engaging differently, authentically, creatively and passionately.
Engage Differently: Expect The Unexpected
It’s no secret that pro wrestling is scripted… more
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Apr 24, 2014
In the spirit of Earth Day, I wanted to touch upon how digital/social media can be an effective way to lower your shows carbon footprint. Printed materials have always been the hallmark of doing business when face-to-face at a show, but more times than not, companies print more than is needed. The result, it will be thrown out at the end of the day. The way to remedy this waste of paper would be to have your company starts to convert some of your physical promotions into digital ones. This change would not only allow you to increase your opportunities to be found, but also help the… more
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Apr 19, 2014
Planning the look, feel and concept of your trade show exhibit can be a daunting task, and with increasing creativity and spectacle on the trade show floor I’m sure you’ve been feeling the pressure to get more and more creative with you booths.
Creativity starts with the planning process, so my suggestion? Breathe some new life into your brainstorming and design process by taking advantage of Pinterest. Here are three easy ways Pinterest can help you and your team create your best booth ever:
1. Find & organize inspiration for all aspects
How many times have you found yourself… more
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Apr 17, 2014
Yes, it’s that time of year again … I was one of lucky few (more than 200,000) people who were able to frolic the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA at Coachella 2014. Not only did this year’s event increase my expectations for any future music festivals, I also had a completely different and amazing experience from the last time I attended in 2012.
This year, I didn’t have the luxury of sharing a hotel room with nine women. (Yes I said nine women and luxury in the same sentence. It was a tight squeeze, but hey I lived in a sorority house in college.) Although I was… 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.