Experts & Opinions
Mar 02, 2013
The Minnesota Chapter ofMeeting Professionals International hosted a full day of learning called iConnect. I had the honor of being the kick-off keynote and the "Conference Catalyst", but also was able to sit in on several educational breakout sessions.
Doug Chorpenningfrom the Wet Paint Group hosted an interesting discussion called “Don't Put Your Event Before Your Brand.”
His talk was thought provoking, as it pointed out that logistics are not enough for planners. Below is a mix of his shared ideas combined with my own two cents:
Event participants expect… more
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Feb 23, 2013
Almost every exhibitor will tell you they go to trade shows to raise their company’s visibility and build their corporate image.
Those visual metaphors are not coincidental. It’s essential to be seen at a trade show. And yet, despite their best intentions, too many exhibitors end up … invisible. Could that be you, too?
Let’s throw a light on what makes exhibitors invisible, even when they really want to be seen:
A Camouflaged Trade Show Display
Your trade show display will fade into the background like a soldier’s camouflaged uniform in a… more
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Feb 22, 2013
A little more than12 years ago at a gathering of top tradeshow organizers in Santa Barbara, Calif., the keynote speaker – himself an organizer who had just bought one of the largest shows and most well-known show groups in the U.S – stunned the room by telling his audience: “You are nothing but a bunch of concrete salesmen” and then continued to skewer them for running, in his opinion, unsophisticated businesses, where they bought floor space at a discount and resold it at a premium. He went on to say that he was going to single-handedly change the exhibition… more
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Feb 14, 2013
I just read a blog by Rachel O’Sullivan on checking after-show invoices. She focused on material handling fees, but I have to say, you probably need to check all invoices for services you get at the show for accuracy.
Human error
There are times when your electrician or plumber or materials handler marks things for your booth as incorrect. Put another way, how many times have you received crates that didn’t belong to you (that has happened to me a couple of times) or have had to go walking around a show floor for a clearly marked crate for your booth? (I push back if… more
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Feb 09, 2013
It’s great to hear visitors to your trade show booth say things like, “You’ve got just what I need!” or “We love working with your company!” or “Your booth really caught my eye!”
But because trade shows are so complicated, it’s possible that, no matter how much you prepare, something could go wrong. And as the trade show manager, you’re probably the first one who’s going to hear about it.
How bad could it be? Well, hearing any of these 21 things in your trade show exhibit will sound as bad as fingernails on a… more
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Feb 02, 2013
In a previous blog post, I shared how I helped my clients at the American College Health Association incorporate wellness into their events by providing healthier food options.
While that was a great start, we wanted to take the wellness program even further. A little creativity was in order, but when it was all said and done, the end results turned out to be more successful than we imagined.
After the menus were adjusted, the second part of wellness was to get people up and moving. Of course, we didn’t want to take away time from all the sessions, as education was the focus of the… more
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Jan 26, 2013
When you’re shopping for your next trade show display, it’s all too easy to focus just on the price. After all, price is easy to judge – whoever costs the least, wins.
And yet, price is not the same as value. When you buy based on value, you find that spending a little more money may get you a lot more value in return.
So here are 10 other criteria beyond price that experienced exhibit buyers know to look for.
Let’s start with the display:
1. Quality: Be careful about buying a disposable display online, only to last for a show or two. A… more
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Jan 26, 2013
This is the final part of a six-part series on WiFi at events. The last “C” is all about exercising your freedom of choice, putting the free market to work to ensure you receive the highest quality network for your event at the most competitive price.
“I thought my only option was to use the venue’s in-house network” is something we hear far too often. Regardless of the default Internet “exclusivity” clause in your venue contract and event organizer “conventional wisdom”, the FCC’s Telecommunications Act of 1996 protects your freedom… more
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Jan 16, 2013
Hybrid Meetings are here to stay!
There has been a lot of discussion, and worry, about how online content would impact the meetings industry. When the internet first exploded on the scene there were those who predicted the demise of the live meeting. Would people invest the time and money to travel to conventions if they could see the presentations on their computers?
However, in-person gatherings are never going away, as humans are experiential beings who desire to share what they are learning and doing with others. In fact, the meetings industry is expanding again following the couple of… more
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Jan 12, 2013
There’s no doubt in my mind that it takes a strong, outspoken and extremely intelligent leader to command an organization like the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The International Consumer Electronics Show is the largest showcase in the technology industry, and when it comes to consumer electronics, they ARE the leader. Last year’s show boasted more than 153,000 attendees who interacted with 3,100 exhibitors covering more than 1.8 million square feet.
Who does it take to lead an organization of such size and caliber?
Adweekdescribes Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA… 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.