Experts & Opinions

Jun 28, 2014
There’s no doubt that by now, you’ve heard of content marketing. Maybe you’re even in the process of implementing it for your own business. Being in marketing myself, the concept had been on my radar for some time. However, it wasn’t until taking part in a particularly enlightening #Expochat (I find myself repeating this sentence quite often) earlier this year on content marketing for shows/exhibitors that I realized the power it held for trade shows. As attendees continue to expect more from their trade show experience than a sales pitch, exhibitors have to be ready… more
Jun 28, 2014
You don’t need a law degree to grasp the simple rules of trade show success. To ensure you don’t get jailed by poor trade show performance, or judged guilty of wasting your company’s scarce marketing resources, don’t break these 10 laws: 1. Know why you exhibit before you do anything else Just as intent is an important factor in the law, it’s essential in exhibiting. Too often exhibitors reserve a booth at a show without knowing why they are going in the first place. Without the guiding light of an overriding goal, they can’t shape their exhibit to… more
Jun 21, 2014
Why do B2B buyers continue to attend trade shows by the tens of millions, rather than make all their purchases online?  Because they want to meet you face to face, to see for themselves what the people who work for your company are really like, and if your company is trustworthy enough to do business with.6-reasons Well, attendees won’t trust your company if your booth staffers do these 6 things: 1. Your staffers ignore attendees It’s hard to believe, but far too often attendees walk into a booth and are ignored by booth staffers – maybe even your booth staffers. … more
Jun 13, 2014
It’s time to think outside of the box when it comes to your next tradeshow because our industry is in need of a green makeover.  There have been countless innovations in green that have led to a better, more sustainable way of life and we can take those innovations and creatively utilize them to create greener events. Here are a few examples, but I know there are more out there and I want you to get outside the box with me and share them with us in the comments.  1.      Bike Sharing -.Bike sharing has taken off in cities like Miami Beach, Boston,… more
Jun 13, 2014
2010 was one of the best years of my life. Why? I graduated from college and was selected to work at one of the world’s largest sporting events, the FIFA World Cup. Many Americans don’t understand the magnitude of this event and quite frankly, I don’t blame them. The NBA,NFL, MLB and NHL are powerhouses. We look forward to the Super Bowl, the Finals, the World Series and the Stanley Cup (amongst others, I know, but these are the most talked about, in my opinion). Americans tend to forget the global reach of soccer.… more
Jun 07, 2014
Trade shows are a valuable marketing medium. But they are harder than they look. Exhibit marketers with good intentions still can make preventable mistakes. Your marketing dollars can generate profitable sales leads at trade shows, but not if you trip into these 5 common pitfalls: 1. Focusing On Logistics But Ignoring Marketing Trade shows require an attention to detail and awesome organization skills. But if marketing is ignored, you may get a dull display delivered on-time to an empty booth at the wrong show. The pitfall here is that because the logistic needs must be attended to, the… more
Jun 06, 2014
In my last blog about Near Field Communications(NFC) I mentioned that the industry is watching to see if Apple will throw its weight behind NFC or Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) technology.   Bluetooth Smart, and iBeacon™ all refer to Bluetooth low energy wireless technology.  It consumes only a fraction of the power of classic Bluetooth radios, expanding wireless to devices like watches, toys, gaming devices, and more. Plus, they could go as long as a year on one charge! Of course, for event marketers, the goal is to increase engagement and drive ROI.  Sensor… more
May 31, 2014
Knowing where to direct your efforts will help you get more customers who actually want to buy your products. This often leads to a big question. Should you focus on trade shows or cold calling? Here are 4 reasons that trade shows almost always come out on top.   Cold Calling Annoys People   Consider the mindset of people who get unexpected phone calls. They're either working, eating dinner, spending time with family, or engaged in other activities. They aren't sitting there waiting for you to give them a sales pitch.   When you cold call someone, you… more
May 31, 2014
To tweet or not to tweet, that is the question! Tweeting, for the sake of tweeting, at a show is fine, but you can add a lot more value if you tweet about relevant things. Most people come to a trade show to find new products, services, and/or ideas, and now that we are in the digital age, people are looking more and more to social networks like Twitter to find news from other people. It is time to step-up and be the one to tweet something that is interesting. If you have something to share, use the conference hashtag (#), so others can find it easily. Shows have so much news and information… more
May 25, 2014
Did your mother ever tell you that you need to hang out with the right crowd, and more importantly, you need to avoid hanging out with the wrong crowd? Not only was your mother right, but her sound advice applies to trade show exhibiting as well … there is the right crowd, and there is the wrong crowd. Not all trade show crowds are created equal! One of the biggest mistakes trade show exhibiting novices can make is thinking “the more the merrier” and believing that the key to having a successful trade show booth is just attracting the biggest crowd you possibly can in your booth.… 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.