Blogs
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
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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
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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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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact