Blogs
Apr 28, 2013
While wrapping up the panel discussion she led at the 7th annual MOD Awards in Las Vegas, Liz Miller, vice president of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council explained, “The role of marketing is to convert brands into business.” Brilliant in its simplicity. Powerful in its implications. Most marketing and sales leaders – be it the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) or a manager – are in one way or another measured on their contribution to the bottom line.
In most companies, marketing or sales (or both) provide funding for shows and events. Both groups have options… more
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Apr 21, 2013
Zombies are having a renaissance lately, what with the popular “The Walking Dead” T.V. show on cable, and now the romantic comedy “Warm Bodies” in the theaters. But unfortunately, zombies have always been all-too popular at trade shows.
Trade show zombies are those slow-moving, nearly brain-dead attendees stumbling down the aisle. After a few hours wandering a trade show floor, their brains are on overload from the visual and sensory torrent. They’ve lost the mental ability to recognize why they should stop in your trade show booth and… more
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Apr 19, 2013
I love working on a given trade show, whether it is to improve pre-show communication, assess the booth and attendee experience on-site, or give a lecture on post-show lead follow up.
As a consultant, I have been asked several times how to make the best of a consultant’s expertise. The fact that I have been asked about it gave me pause since it is a great question. How should a consultant and a trade show manager work together to have the best possible relationship?
Your consultant is one point of view. Yes, I am starting out with this disclaimer. Your… more
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Apr 09, 2013
Huge news today out of New York City about American Business Media (ABM) merging with the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). I mean HUGE news.
ABM is the venerable 107 year-old b-to-b media association, which states, in their own words, that their “… 200-plus member companies reach an audience of more than 100 million professionals and represent nearly 4,000 print and online titles and over 1,000 trade shows, with more than $20 billion in annual revenues.” By comparison SIIA has 750 member companies.
ABM was ‘the bomb.… more
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Apr 04, 2013
As I board my plane to Beijing, China, for another corporate event, I realize that working on international projects has taught me so much, from cultural differences to the unique event management processes that vary in each country. The global journeys my team has been invited on are endless and unique.
We’ve taken the specific event I’m traveling to now, from Las Vegas to Madrid, and now we’re on to China. Here are the five tips you should use before you take the big international leap:
1. Visit the venue before the event- I always make sure to fly in… more
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Apr 04, 2013
I recently attended a meeting for exhibitors held by a large show organizer about six weeks before their event. The purpose was to give representatives from exhibiting companies a chance to hear presentations from experts on image, social media and tradeshow marketing. They also got live access to vendors of whom they could ask questions and place orders and I was there as the lead retrieval vendor.
After a morning of presentations, there was a lovely sit-down lunch where I had the chance to speak with some exhibitors for the first time. One of them asked a very reasonable question: “… more
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Mar 29, 2013
Instagram, a mobile-based, image-sharing platform that allows users to make images more flattering through the use of various filters, is quickly gaining favor with many trade show marketers, exhibitors and attendees. In addition to the retro-ing of photos, the app provides capabilities to #hashtag images, follow other users and share to mainstream social networks such as Facebook, Foursquare, Flickr, Tumblr and Twitter.
Full photo streams can also be shared to the web via sites such as Webstagram or Followgram. How can your event use Instagram to leverage your current social media marketing… more
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Mar 23, 2013
“The trade show business must be dying.” The lawyer, whom I had just met at a reception, was convinced that the Internet was making trade shows unnecessary. "Why Should I Attend a Tradeshow?"
Trade shows were an important marketing channel 25 years ago …100 years ago. In fact, trade fairs were a means of conducting business in medieval Europe. I believe that they are important today and will continue to be for many years. The day may come when some aspects of trade shows can be conducted effectively via the Internet. Who knows how virtual reality will change… more
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Mar 23, 2013
While at Exhibitor2013, I had the opportunity to sit down with three project leaders from EP&M International: Amy Williams, Colleen McClaine and Tracy Allen. The topic was trends in the Asian trade show market and what to consider when developing your domestic booth, taking tips from the Far East.
Similar to what we are seeing domestically, there is a movement in Asia to incorporate a European look with clean lines, less copy and eye-popping images. White dominates the look of the Asian trade show, adding to the idea of ample space. There is a focus to cater to a… more
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Mar 14, 2013
I recently found myself with an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I reached out to some of our trade show industry veterans and asked them what was on their bookshelf or Kindle that’s had an influence on their work.
Here is a run down on the books they shared with me and why they think you should read them.
Thank goodness for the ease of one-click ordering.
Lee Anne Orange, Special Projects Manager at AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology
Book: Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration by Scott Doorley & Scott Witthoftby
Why you should… 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