Blogs
Dec 26, 2011
December and January spark articles and blog posts filled with predictions for the New Year. While I cannot really know what will happen in the world, I do have some observations about meetings and conferences from my time spent as a keynote and breakout speaker at more than 300 events (59 presentations in 2011).
1. The meetings business will continue to recover from the hits it took in the recession. I am bullish on the state of face-to-face gatherings and believe that neither an ongoing bad economy nor the virtual options that exist to deliver content can replace the need for humans to… more
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Dec 10, 2011
In his best-selling 1959 book, “The Magic of Thinking Big”, author David J. Schwartz, Ph.D., pointed out that there is a common fallacy about the meaning of “creative thinking”.
For some reason, people believe that the areas of science, engineering, art and writing have exclusive ownership of creativity. He assures his readers that while discovering a cure for disease, writing a novel, or developing technology are certainly admirable accomplishments, they are NOT the only areas where a creative mind can help someone excel in their career.
The need for… more
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Dec 10, 2011
You’ve been asked the same question time and time again: “What’s the ROI from our trade show program?” You grit your teeth, take a deep breath, force a smile on your face,and answer, “I don’t know.”
Why not? It might be because you can’t get your sales team to share which leads turned into sales with you. Or because you don’t have a unified database that tracks it automatically. Or because you simply don’t have time to chase it all down.
But it’s not rocket science to figure out your trade show ROI,… more
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Nov 28, 2011
Exhibit designers make a big deal about how trade show exhibits are 3-D – they have length, width and height. That 3-D perspective creates much greater visual impact than 2-D marketing mediums.
Yet, exhibits are actually 4-D, the 4th dimension being time. We exist in three spatial dimensions and in one temporal dimension, which combine to be called spacetime.
During a trade show, your static 3-D exhibit can be transformed into an interactive 4-D exhibit attendees experience through the activities you host in your exhibit. 4-D trade show exhibits… more
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Oct 22, 2011
For most exhibitors, lead generation is their No. 1 reason for exhibiting at trade shows. Exhibit marketers want leads to replenish their sales pipeline, bring in new and repeat customers and generate sales revenue.
So, to help stoke the lead generation fires, here are 100 ideas to get you more leads at your upcoming trade shows, divvied up among five main areas:
Get more trade show leads by how you select shows
Go to more trade shows outside your local region
Go to more trade shows, in your best vertical markets
Go to more trade shows, in foreign countries
Go to… more
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Oct 15, 2011
We are living in a "relationship economy”, where you need to have more than just skills to find success. This especially is true in the meetings industry, where people are the power. There are many who have talent, as we are expected to be good just to have a seat at the table.Talent and education are important, but they are not enough.
Hard work is good, but again, in the current global financial climate, everyone is working hard. There still are only 24 hours in the day. Time is the great equalizer. No matter how hard you are working, others can match your… more
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Oct 05, 2011
You’ve heard about unconferences - those buck the system, user-powered, experiment until the cows come home face-to-face gatherings cropping up across the country. They can be a bit unpredictable (what with the content decided by the attendees and all) and even a little chaotic at times. However, it is a trend that is NOT going away.
In fact, the self-organized, crowd-controlled, bottom-up model for events and event organizations is only growing. The Senior Planner Industry Network (SPIN) is a prime example. What started out as a group on LinkedIn less than three years ago has 1,900… more
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Oct 01, 2011
To master the deadline-driven world of trade shows depends on great planning.
Yet, all too often, important marketing planning gets overshadowed by urgent logistic splanning. Because of the flood of deadlines, we get more distracted by the “what to do” rather than the “why to do” it.
But, it’s just as essential to plan marketing things. Things such as your goals for the show, your marketing messages for your graphics and staffers and creating a promotional campaign that will get more of the right people to your booth.
Here are some ideas… more
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When done properly, trade shows usually justify the cost and help to generate qualified leads that turn into new sales. However, as with any marketing activities, you don’t want to pay more than you should. These strategies can help save significant amounts of money every time you exhibit.
Rent your exhibit. In addition to providing more flexibility at every show, renting lowers upfront costs versus owning your exhibit. You don’t pay for storage, maintenance, pull and prep or refurbishment when you rent.
Hire an onsite supervisor from your exhibit house. … more
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Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started.
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
“Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for."
What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.