Experts & Opinions
Dec 08, 2012
If your organization is hosting a conference or trade show you need to ensure that your staff members are fully participating. If your people are corralled in the back of the room or in a side office, then you are missing out on the real value long-term the event can bring.
Sure, someone has to work the check-in table and take care of other house-keeping issues (and emergencies), but too often the association staff or company employees are not part of the community that is created when we bring people together. Worse, sometimes the executives or sales staff get to mingle with… more
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Dec 01, 2012
Twitteris an ideal medium to drive significantly more traffic to your website. It allows you to reach out to audiences that you would not cover with your existing database. The first step, however, is to collect new and relevant followers in a systematic way. How can you do that?
As long as you don‘t have tens of thousands of followers, you might want to focus on 4 core activities on Twitter:
Here are 15 useful tips that work particularly well for event organizers:
Determine a short and unique hashtag (e.g. #wnc11 for World Newspaper Congress 2011) and use it in your own tweets… more
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Dec 01, 2012
In a previous blog post, I wrote about the importance of sustainability in event planning and marketing. With a little determination and effort, it’s easy to make the promotion of your event more eco-friendly.
So, how exactly do you go green with your marketing? Start out by doing your homework. There are multiple resources available to help you, including the Green Meetings Industry Council, the Convention Industry Council’s Green Meetings Report, and the EPA’s Green Meetings and Events Guide.
Analyze your event, consider your strengths and weaknesses and determine what… more
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Nov 24, 2012
This is the fifth part of a six-part series on WiFi at events. The next “C“ you need to consider when designing a good network is connectivity (or bandwidth).
If, for a moment, you think of internet access like water, the first “C’s” we addressed covered your sprinkler system.
Now, you need to make sure you have enough water traveling through your pipes if you want the sprinklers to work properly. Even the best sprinkler system in the world is not going to effectively water your lawn if your pipes are too narrow or if there isn’t a sufficient supply… more
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Nov 12, 2012
"We are victims of our own greed."
That bombshell was launched at the recent TSNN T-awards conference Nov. 2-4 by David Audrain, representing the Society of Independent Show Organizers on a "State of the Industry" panel, offering words of wisdom to organizers of the TSNN 50 fastest-growing shows, gathered in Louisville for the celebratory weekend.
When asked by TSNN President Rachel Wimberly about response to recent economic troubles, Audrain pointed out how many were rethinking their reliance on exhibitor revenue.
Still others are rethinking the service experiences… more
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Nov 10, 2012
Event organizers are never satisfied with the status quo, but always looking for new ways to brand and market shows, and return value for exhibitors and attendees.
We still believe that face-to-face conversation trumps all other communication, but social media is proving to be a valuable complement.
I must admit, I’m a social media junkie. I find myself reading more articles today on industry trends than the gossip blogs I read (more than I want to admit) in college.
IMEX America 2012 was truly an inspiration to me. It showed me new ways to use social media to engage with exhibitors… more
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Nov 10, 2012
I was recently having a conversation around positioning and a book written in 1981 by Al Ries and Jack Trout.
They referred to product positioning as the ' battle for your mind'. It got me to think about positioning and the trade show. I think that trade show positioning is the 'battle for your heart'.
The Plan to See You
First, you are working with your pre-show communication to have the attendee plan to see you. While you will certainly take a spur of the moment walk in, you would rather have someone you have communicated your messaging with and have… more
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Nov 05, 2012
We’ve all been there … miles away from our loved ones feeling tired, stressed and desperately wishing they were by our side. Not that long ago, voices of a parent, friend or child through the phone were as close as we could get to their touch.
Now Apple’s FaceTime, Skype and numerous other platforms have given us a greater sense of connection through the use of video. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I think back to a Thanksgiving holiday where I found myself in a similar long distance predicament.
It was Thanksgiving 2010 and I had been studying abroad in Sydney,… more
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Oct 27, 2012
Most trade show exhibitors put the vast majority of their effort into creating their presence at a trade show – the trade show displays they build, the staffers they send and house, and for some, the promotions they do to create greater activity in their booth space.
Unfortunately, too many waste these valiant efforts, because they fall down on managing their trade show leads. That’s because there are more hidden roadblocks than they realize, obstacles to getting the full value from their leads.
So let’s bring those roadblocks out into the light. I believe the… more
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Oct 27, 2012
Conferences, trade shows, conventions, and other events, just like people, have unique personalities. There are all different types, and many have been conditioned by their environment.
Over time, they become a caricature of themselves, and this can drive people away in subsequent years. If you want a well-rounded event that has a lot to offer attendees, you need to question how people perceive the experience of participation.
Just as with relationships between people, the personality of your event is important to how attendees feel while present. If a person is too serious all the time,… more
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
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Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.