Experts & Opinions

Mar 28, 2015
Let’s face it, face-to-face marketing can be a tough racket  - it takes nerves forged of steel to jump into the fray - and a cast iron will to stick it out. However, no matter how difficult the gig may be, there is nothing like landing a great sales pitch or closing a sale on the trade show floor. According to research conducted by Exhibit Surveys, Inc. in 2013 82 percent of trade show attendees were buying influencers. This means that 4 out of 5 attendees are essentially high valued targets in the market to buy your product or service. With that in mind, it is crucial that you be able… more
Mar 22, 2015
The words “creative” and “innovative” are often used interchangeably in the business world, from startups and established corporations to even trade shows. But are these two adjectives really as similar as they seem? Because live events strive for innovation and creativity, many make the mistake of thinking these goals are one and the same. Although using tech creatively can increase engagement, using an innovative product doesn’t necessarily make you an innovator. As Ted Levitt, late marketing professor at Harvard Business School and former Harvard Business Review editor, put it, people… more
Mar 22, 2015
O.K, O.K., having a year-round mobile app may not be the holy grail to some – but to us app makers it is music to our ears!  Why?  Because, it gets our app out there and then it is being used all year long.  It’s like writing a song and hearing it on the radio! But no, this blog is not all about us, it's about you and why it is important to think of your mobile app being used year round. First, you work so hard building an audience for your mobile app.  Typically, the event drives the app’s initial download.   You plan the content for the event, keep it updated, and… more
Mar 15, 2015
When you meet someone for the first time, you have about seven seconds to make a first impression. It’s not much! But, when you’re walking around a busy trade show, it probably takes you even less than that to form an impression of a booth as you pass it. Most trade show traffic passes by quickly, assessing your business based on a few square feet of display space. So what ‘s your silver bullet then? What can make visitors stop before they pass you by? Striking display visuals with high quality, eye-catching graphics. As exhibitors, we ask a lot of our trade show visuals; they need to sum up… more
Mar 11, 2015
It never ceases to amaze me how many hats trade show managers have to wear. We can’t just be good at what we do on a day-to-day basis. We also need to stay on top of constantly changing trends in consumer behavior and sponsorship management, often making decisions that impact millions of consumers and business partners each year. The latest challenge we face involves the growing use of technology — both by consumers and event sponsors. Attendees are glued to their smartphones and social networks at events, which creates huge opportunities for event sponsors to serve up increasingly… more
Mar 08, 2015
Lead capture is likely one of your company’s main objectives when exhibiting at a trade show. Despite this, some organizations – particularly first-time exhibitors and small and medium-sized enterprises – fail to optimize their lead generation processes. These firms may lose out on opportunities to make sales as a result. If you have prepared well in advance and executed your plan during the show, then many of your generated leads will result in sales, or better yet, in decade-plus customers. Here’s five tips to try: 1) Make sure booth staff brings their A-game Booth staff should be trained… more
Mar 07, 2015
Exhibiting at trade shows is a big investment of time, effort and money. It needs to pay off in measurable results. What makes trade shows so appealing as a marketing tool is the ability to conduct face-to-face marketing, to design a display that reflects well on your brand image and to staff your exhibit with your best representatives. Where else can you find so many potential customers in person in one place? The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), in their study, Purchase Process and Customer Relationships, found, “The 'sweet spots' for exhibitions lie in the pre-purchase and… more
Mar 01, 2015
We all have those mornings… You wake up, the solution to the work-related problem is there, no effort required. Unfortunately, some of the best ideas don’t emerge on their own, and let’s be honest, life isn’t always that easy. And like a rough diamond, the good stuff might be there, but it’s going to take a bit of effort to make it shine. Brainstorming is the best method for digging up those gems that WOW your clients and make your boss relieved to have you on their team. Here are four ways you can ensure you get the most from each of your brainstorming sessions: 1. Invite Your Client-… more
Mar 01, 2015
For my first blog post here on TSNN I figured I’d start at the beginning with why have a mobile app in the first place. This is a question that I use to get when we first started in 2009 when everyone was still using paper maps and programs.  Since that time, however, I do not get this question often enough.  Just producing a mobile app does not mean it will be successful.  Sadly, some organizers buy an app just to have one or they got it for free (ok, don’t get me started on a free app – you’ve heard the old saying “you get what you paid for”).  Then the responsibility of… more
Feb 21, 2015
I am sure many of you are reading the title and thinking, what?  But there are instances where you can cut corners, or in better terms, get a little creative, in your trade show marketing.  But beware when cutting the wrong corners can make for a mess. Demonstrations:  Getting creative – making a demo that powerful, even if it is simple. You don’t need to have a Las Vegas type demonstration going on. Sometimes a simple demo can be powerful, if the message clearly ties into the booth, and it shows how your products and services can make the attendee’s life easier. Making a mess… more
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.