Experts & Opinions

Jul 05, 2018
If one element is inarguably the make-or-break of your trade show, it’s your staff. Smart staffing choices are the difference between trade shows that run smoothly and events that flop. One or two people taking on too many responsibilities easily becomes your Achilles’ heel. More than half of event creators envision themselves throwing additional events this year but only 38 percent plan to expand their events teams, according to Eventbrite’s survey of event professionals. Budget, time and energy constraints hit underachieving teams particularly hard, resulting in events that are weakly… more
Jul 03, 2018
Apps are the hot new way to communicate with your event attendees. In fact, many attendees have grown so accustomed to seeking information from apps that they expect your event to have one. But how can you tell if your app is truly successful at engaging their attention? And how can you improve it to deliver the results you want? By studying the analytics – or history of usage – within your app, you can get a clearer picture of whether or not and how well your app performs. With this valuable data, you can then make smarter decisions about how to design your app for maximum adoption and… more
Jun 28, 2018
As any experienced trade show practitioner can tell you, not all trade show attendees are the same. Attendees amble about and visit exhibits for a variety of reasons. So understanding the behaviors and motivations of different types of trade show attendees – and knowing which kinds you want to attract to your exhibit – is vital to maximizing the effectiveness of your trade show marketing efforts. Otherwise, your exhibit won’t capture as many leads as it could. So what exactly are the different types of trade show attendees? To answer that question, it’s helpful to look at the marketing… more
Jun 26, 2018
If you combine the concepts of a “tribe” – a group of like-minded individuals who make up a community – and marketing, you create a powerful tool that deeply connects with your customer base and transcends your brand.  However, the tribal marketing approach is more of an art than a science. Here are four top tips for delivering relatable services to appeal to your chosen audience. Identify and conquer Before you can identify with a tribe, you must first classify your niche and define your brand position. This helps you understand who your audience is, their values and how you’re most… more
Jun 25, 2018
Events are a fantastic way to create buzz for your organization, so when the time comes to plan, make sure your exhibit has the “wow” factor to pull everybody in.  Custom-built exhibits look impressive but can rack up the costs if you’re not mindful. Once you factor in design time, production, shipping, labor and waste, you’re dinging your budget and the environment. With some strategy and imagination, though, you can create an immersive, custom booth experience that excites attendees while still being environmentally conscious.  Challenge your team Get your team and vendors to rise to the… more
Jun 21, 2018
Show organizers, you all are truly the unsung heroes of events. As soon as one event is over the process of finding companies to rent exhibit space to starts all over again. The grind doesn’t really go away, right? The only two reasons for this churn would have to be either: those companies are no longer in business or the cost of the show hasn’t yielded enough new business to justify going again. I have yet to go to a trade show where I can honestly say the foot traffic is sparse. So, for non-returning exhibitors, the issue must either be that there aren’t enough of their ideal customers at… more
Jun 19, 2018
What is Structured Data? Simply put, structured data is a way for web developers to help search engines understand the content of your page. It is markup added to a web page that tells a search engine like Google specifics about your page information. Google’s crawler can do amazing things but it can’t always pull the right information from a web page. For example, if you own a restaurant and have a website, Google can’t automatically decipher the name, address and hours for your restaurant without a little help. That’s where structured data comes in. If you embed specialized markup in your… more
Jun 14, 2018
If you are like many exhibitors, industry trade shows are an opportunity to put your best foot forward. You have a captive audience of customers, prospects and industry peers that demand you go all out to position your company, products and services in the most positive light.  How do you do it? For starters, you should be leveraging the suite of ever-evolving event technologies rather than taking a formula approach and using exactly what you did last year. Using a fresh approach, driven by leading-edge event technologies, will enable you to create the greatest impact. Begin with a strategic… more
Jun 12, 2018
I’ve been in the brand experience business for more than 20 years. During that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a sponsorship work and why.  For most of our clients, it all comes down to budget. There’s a lot to accomplish and there never seems to be enough money. This is why sponsorships are so attractive – they provide an additional source of revenue to help offset costs and an additional activation to complement brand strategies. At the same time, that doesn’t mean we should just plop a sponsorship into an event and pat ourselves on the back.  When I went to work for… more
Jun 07, 2018
While trade shows are predominantly still in-person affairs, there is an increasingly important digital component that goes into making an event a success. Your business’s participation in a trade show should involve your entire network – and your social channels are critical in engaging with and building your audience. With these five tips for incorporating social media into your next trade show, you’ll be sure to capitalize on your efforts and make the event worth your while.  Hashtags Are Your Friend At least on certain networks. Use them on Instagram and Twitter; leave them out on… more
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.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  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.