Experts & Opinions
May 14, 2016
Yes, I am throwing down the gauntlet! Ditch your paper event guide, maps, and programs. You are wasting your money, your sponsors’ money, and the time it takes to put all that printed material together. You are also killing the environment. Do I have your blood boiling yet? Let me see if I can make the case for you to switch.
The digital technology for all of your needs is reliable, is available, costs less than printed paper, and is being used daily by your constituents’ 100% of the time. That is right - 100%. How many people do not have a cell phone… more
Comments (0)
May 14, 2016
When it comes to summer events, radio-frequency technology - whether it’s RFID or NFC - is the new black (or tie dye). Whether you’re planning a music festival, a maker faire, or a lawn and garden show, wearables with embedded RF chips or tags open up a world of possibilities for organizers and attendees.
The Basics: RFID vs. NFC
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) work similarly:
When Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used, information (usually a unique number) is transmitted from an encoded memory chip (known as a “smart tag”) via an… more
Comments (0)
May 07, 2016
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. " - John F. Kennedy
Many of us have as much joyful anticipation of going to a business retreat or planning meeting as having a root canal. However, as I look back on my career, one particular meeting stands out in a very positive way.
The focus of the meeting was to take a look at ourselves and business model and relate it to change. We were shown a video by Joel Barker on paradigms and how they structure our behavior. A paradigm centers on a theory or a group of ideas about how… more
Comments (0)
May 07, 2016
Forty-six percent of decision-makers attending trade shows determine what to purchase during the course of the event. If you can deliver a strong impression during your next trade show, you stand a better chance of selling your products to those in attendance - making the trade show well worth your investment of time and money. To stand out from the rest, use our 8 foolproof ways to make a great impression.
1. Invest in displays and custom tents.
If you have a colorful, branded trade show booth, visitors will be drawn to your display. Investing in custom tents, banners, flags, and custom… more
Comments (0)
May 01, 2016
Fact: There are dozens of mobile event app companies. However, having more options doesn’t make your job any easier.
Fact: Most apps have the basic features that you want. From Alerts, Schedules, Exhibitor Listings, and Social Engagement … name it and most apps have it.
Fact: Not all mobile app providers are created equal.
I recently attended AENC’s Technology Conference and one of the sessions really resonated with me. It was called Questions I Wish People Would Ask. Being in a sales position, I love it when prospective clients ask questions but I appreciate it… more
Comments (0)
May 01, 2016
If you’ve got a product or concept to sell, a trade show can be a great venue to demonstrate your solution for a receptive audience. But before you can make a sale or find an investor or development partner, you’ll have to capture the attention of trade show attendees. And remember — you’ll have a lot of competition since fellow exhibitors will also be pulling out all the stops to make sure potential buyers focus on their products instead.
What you’ll need for a successful trade show experience is a way to cut through the sensory overload and get your message across to the people who… more
Comments (0)
Apr 23, 2016
There are great technology advances to monitor where your attendees go on the show floor and in your booth. But, what data pieces are key to track and apply to your trade show marketing strategy?
Where does your attendee go, and linger? One key element to track with your booth, or conference, to determine how your traffic is faring is actual traffic patterns. Where do your attendees go, and how do they get there? Where do they congregate, and what areas are they skipping entirely?
How they move within your booth can show you dead space, or space where you could add… more
Comments (0)
Apr 23, 2016
The IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) is just a few days away, and its approach has me looking at some of the lessons I learned (some the hard way) and issues like the wage gap that many woman are still facing today.
Bridging the Gap
I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and had a promising foundation for future career success. In June of 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, which should have signaled the end to gender discrimination in our country. Title IX gave me access to sports and an understanding of fair competition.
I had grandparents who were… more
Comments (0)
Apr 16, 2016
Business-to-business marketing presents unique challenges not faced when marketing to consumers. Businesses take the time to carefully evaluate each product or service for its potential return on investment and rely on trusted partnerships and outstanding customer service.
Trade shows provide marketers the chance to effectively target, market and connect with potential buyers, which is key in securing healthy business-to-business marketing ROI. Read the three tips below, and find out how a properly executed trade show campaign can help you increase your marketing return.
1. Businesses… more
Comments (0)
Apr 16, 2016
"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - Prison Warden, Cool Hand Luke
Technology has changed our lives dramatically, especially in terms of communication. The Millennial Generation has no concept of what life was like in the “good old days”.
The company for which I was a publisher started an international magazine in the mid-1960’s and subsequently established a sales office in the Netherlands. Back then, to make an international phone call was like taking your bank account and signing it over to Ma Bell; so the firm had to devise a way for the Dutch office to communicate with the… more
Comments (0)
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.