Experts & Opinions
May 24, 2014
You have probably heard that it is important in the event industry to be genuine. And while that makes sense, many sales people hold back a bit.
When it comes to your staff at your trade show booth, the need for a genuine interaction is vital.
Attendees are purchasing from you as well as the company. This key point is oftentimes missed. When an attendee comes into your booth, the staff on the show floor become the embodiment of the company. So, the attendee is deciding to purchase based on the interaction of an individual sales person as a representative of the… more
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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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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.