Experts & Opinions
Feb 11, 2012
Many people dread having to make a presentation. However, there are many opportunities to speak or be on a panel discussion at trade shows and other conferences. Being on the stage is a great way to promote your products and services or to position yourself as an industry expert. However, when you accept the responsibility to present, you are making a commitment to the audience that you will not suck.
We have all sat through those long monotone sessions at events where everyone is hoping for a fire drill. As much as you can benefit from being a speaker, you can also do damage to… more
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Feb 05, 2012
You've seen him or her as you walk down the trade show aisle. You point him or her out to your colleagues, trying to not let him see you as you do. You let out a nervous laugh as you pass his/her trade show display - what if they try to talk to you?
He or she is "that guy(or gal)," and they're doing trade shows all wrong.
Here are eight things you and the other trade show attendees are saying about "that guy":
1. "Why did that guy/gal even come to the show?" They're typing on their computer, talking on their cell phone, texting on… more
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Jan 26, 2012
Trade shows are not your whole job, just a part of it. You only do, at most, a few small shows a year, and you've got lots of other responsibilities to handle. So all this detail in our blog about doing trade shows better? You simply have no time for it all.
But you still would like to boost your results – but only if the changes are simple and quick. So in that vein, here are five tips to help you - quickly - get more out of trade shows:
ﾕ A large, clear message is easier to grasp, so make your next set of booth graphics colorful and easy to understand, with a benefit statement that will… more
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Jan 26, 2012
Now that we’re nearly a month into the New Year, I’ve had the chance to test my resolve in living by my resolutions. Our industry makes having a healthy lifestyle challenging, but I'm ever-optimistic that I can achieve a good work/life balance. How am I doing so far?
Resolution 1: Get more sleep. Study after study says that it’s important for everything from health to weight control to mental acuity (not to mention keeping down my purchase of under-eye concealer). With two DVRs, I can no longer use my favorite 10 P.M. shows as an excuse. How am I doing? Not so… more
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Jan 21, 2012
Conferences, seminars, conventions and trade shows utilize a lot of speakers. In fact, the meetings industry provides speakers with much of the work that supports their careers. This includes paid professional speakers, free industry speakers, educators and topic experts. Some get paid to speak, while others are there to promote their brand, and every one of them has a direct impact on the success of the event.
But are speakers more than just vendors?
The speakers set the tone for the whole conference. Humans are experiential beings, and when we sit with others in the audience and… more
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Jan 15, 2012
There was no greater proof that meeting planners are irreversibly, indisputably and uncontrollably being dragged into the future - whether their boards or bosses buy into it or not - than last week’s Convening Leaders and Virtual Edge Summit collocated conference in San Diego.
Between the major tech company announcements, shifts in presentation architecture and futuristic keynotes, it was obvious that technology in all of its manifestations (social, mobile, virtual, biotech, or cloud) is propelling planners into a future where the traditional competencies (and assumptions) will no… more
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Jan 11, 2012
Recently, I posted the “10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started In Marketing" and was amazed at the response. So, in that same vein, here are 10 indispensible lessons I’ve learned about trade shows that I wish I’d had known before I started exhibiting.
1. You won’t succeed at trade shows if you just show up. A trade show first-timer may think that because they’ve paid a couple of grand to rent a 10x10 space for a few days, they automatically will reap the whirlwind of leads and sales from the show’s attendees. … more
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Jan 03, 2012
Congrats - you’re no longer the trade show rookie.
You’ve trained your booth staffers to work the aisles. You’ve asked for (and received) a trade show display with bold images and clear messaging. And you know how to put together a trade show promotion that gets more people to your booth.
Been there, done that. Now, you’re ready for something more.
So here are six advanced trade show strategies and tactics you can use that will stretch – and grow – your trade show program:
Select Vertical Market Shows
All too often… more
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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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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.