Experts & Opinions
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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Apr 10, 2014
A trade show is one giant competition for attention. Consider all the clamor and distractions that the average attendee experiences as they walk the aisles: booming presentations, flashing lights, streaming videos, and more. It can seem like so much screaming. So how does an exhibitor communicate the right messages to the right people in a compelling way? Following are a few secrets of success from trade show experts.
Understand your market and build on your brand.
The first step in designing a new exhibit is a business review with the exhibitor. The review takes into account all… more
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Apr 09, 2014
Something must be in the air because in the past week or so I have received an inordinate amount of email messages that say something like, ‘Oops, please disregard our earlier message’ or ‘Oops, we told you about this great new product but forgot to tell you the name of it’.
I also have seen a ton of emails come through (as either actual messages or with attached press releases) with spelling, grammar and sentence structure errors.
Believe me, in NO way am I pointing fingers, because I am far from perfect. I often have written an email lickety-split and hit the ‘… more
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Apr 05, 2014
When it comes to a show like CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE, having a large footprint on a show floor just isn’t going to garner the buzz it does at other shows. The desire and demand for exhibit space at a 2.5 million net square feet show (the largest show in the Western Hemisphere!) is so high that the Association for Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the show’s producer, actually has to limit the amount of space each exhibitor can have. Exhibitors must think outside of the box to engage attendees and really stand out.
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2014, several exhibitors did just… more
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Apr 05, 2014
I attended a show recently in Las Vegas, and I was amazed with the exhibits on the show floor. Some, however, were just a little off. Take heed of these common trip-ups around your next booth experience.
A design that is too feminine or masculine. This is a delicate balancing act. You want a booth design that appeals to both, so you want to work with elements that add both into the mix. Think about the colors you choose and the types of materials that are in the booth, including furniture choices. And having both feminine and masculine elements in your… more
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Mar 27, 2014
Taking a proactive approach that attracts more people to yourtrade show booth exhibitis always a good idea. But you also need to spend some time looking over your plan to make sure you don't include these four bonehead ideas that some trade show displayexhibitors make.
Wasting Money on Swag No One Wants
Giving away items to the people who take time out of their day to visit your exhibition booth is a good idea. However, it's not a good idea when you waste your money on favors those people don't want.
Avoid overdone, lame ideas such as:
· … more
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Mar 27, 2014
Unlike most other forms of marketing, exhibiting at a trade show gives businesses the invaluable opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with prospects. Exhibitors need to develop their event plan with this unique advantage in mind.
If booth staffers are highly skilled and well-trained, they could be able to develop key business relationships and build strong lead capture lists. To maximize the chances of those outcomes, exhibitors should establish these three ground rules for their trade show staff members:
1) Don’t let staff member’s text
Mobile devices can be excellent… more
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Mar 22, 2014
If you’ve ever attended a trade show and walked the exhibit hall aisles, I think you’ll recognize this type of trade show exhibitor … I call him (or her) the “trade show carnival barker”.
What’s a trade show carnival barker, or as I like to shorten it, a trade show barker? He’s the guy who acts like the loudmouth shouting announcer in front of a carnival side show, haranguing everyone who walks by his booth with comments like “What brings you to the show today” and “Would you like to learn about how my widget works?” At least… more
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Mar 15, 2014
Technology can boost any trade show displays popularity at the event, especially in this day and age where most people can’t go anywhere without their smart phone in tow. Keeping your audience engaged and entertained will not only enhance the look of your booth, but it will also help you generate leads. Here are several ways you can incorporate technology into your display system.
Customize Your Booth with Video Monitors
Whether you are limited on employees to staff your display system or all of your staffers are in the middle of speaking to other attendees, video monitors will keep… more
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Mar 15, 2014
Having been to hundreds of shows, conferences, expos and tradeshows, I’m still baffled by the fact that it’s almost impossible to find out what the exhibitors at the show do before it starts.
I work mainly on the press/media relation’s side and there is an abundance of press kits with images, press release, overviews and fact sheets that the attendees of the show, your potential buyers, partners, distributors or friends have absolutely no access too. To ensure that people keep coming back year after year, we need to close the gap and better inform everyone who is apart of… 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.