Experts & Opinions

Oct 12, 2014
For vendors, trade shows are great place to sell products, increase brand recognition, and network with potential clients However, it is also easy to disappear in a sea of competitors. Use these eleven tips to make your business and your trade show booth stand out in the eyes of potential customers: 1.    Send the best trade show staff. In business, as in life, how we present ourselves reflects on who we are. Technology has changed how we communicate, but face-to-face interaction is still the most effective way to interact with potential customers. At trade shows, the team… more
Oct 05, 2014
Small and big businesses alike have found out just how powerful social media can in helping their company expand.  In fact, according to CeBIT, the massive German technology show, 97 percent of consumers search for businesses online. The more technologically-advanced our society becomes, the more people will be relying on social media websites and mobile apps to help make their purchasing decisions. While social media allows for people to conveniently network online, nothing compares to the effects of networking face-to-face, which is why trade shows continue to thrive, even in this… more
Oct 05, 2014
There are a lot of generalizations when it comes to our industry. Many people who are unfamiliar feel the same type of planning and work goes into an exhibition, meeting, consumer event, corporate event or congress. Well, we all know that isn’t true; the planning and execution differs by the type of live event being produced. Drayage, kit rules and regulations, negotiating show floor packages, etc. often aren’t a topic of conversation with my corporate events clients. One thing that is critical across the board with corporate events is planning for attendee engagement. After years of working… more
Sep 28, 2014
I vacation in airports. Well, not really, but after more than three decades of business travel, I have surrendered and learned how to make the best of the hours I spend in airports. Here are some of my tips for surviving the time spent “on the inside,” which can make delays, long connections and other layovers almost bearable. 1) Get to know your surroundings- Don’t just head to the gate and park yourself… Spend some time walking around and looking at the “you are here” units to see what the airport offers. Airport designers have gotten smart in the last few years, adding amenities to… more
Sep 28, 2014
There was a time when any kind of promotion or advertisement was only done by professionals. It was a time when Don Draper of Mad Men spent hours brainstorming with his team to come up with one perfect catchphrase to promote a singular product. While certainly there are still plenty of pros in publicity and advertising, social media – including blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – has changed the game of this kind of work. You no longer necessarily need a seasoned expert to promote your product or event; you only need an Internet connection and a webpage. This is great news for some businesses… more
Sep 21, 2014
In years past, exhibition organizers were able to take an “if we build it, they will come” approach to tradeshows, conventions, and conferences with the goal of attracting attendees in order to reel in exhibitors. Show organizers could safely tell exhibitors and sponsors the kinds of people who attend the show, often tossing around statistics like “70% of attendees are decision makers,” without too much scrutiny because there was no way to prove or disprove those numbers. Technology changes everything Today, every marketing dollar counts – and when your exhibitor’s tradeshow budget goes up… more
Sep 21, 2014
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This is especially true when it comes to technology and the evolving landscape of omnichannel retail for brick-and-mortar retailers. Once feared as an existential threat to brick-and-mortar retail, the Internet now provides retailers with tools to evolve, redefine themselves, improve engagement with customers and build their brands. What shoppers really want is experience and relationships – with people and brands. Technology is simply another tool retailers can employ to augment and deepen these relationships and experiences. My belief stems from… more
Sep 14, 2014
Tradeshow attendees are unique, they want to discover something - and as such, you can’t sell to them in the same way you would to a prospect in a corporate boardroom. Follow these five steps to more effectively engage potential customers at your next tradeshow. 1) Greetings Even during the busiest times, always extend your hand, smile and learn your prospect’s name. Pro tip: Take a look at the prospect’s name badge and refer to him or her by name throughout the conversation. 2) Identifying needs Ask the attendee what he or she is looking for today so you can identify and address… more
Sep 14, 2014
Travel can greatly impact the greenness of your tradeshow and is oftentimes overlooked since the actual event tends to garner the most attention and focus in terms of being green, but it doesn’t need to be this way. Here are three ways you can up the green factor regarding your tradeshow travel. 1. Consider Alternative Modes of Transportation. Sometimes air travel is the best option, and if you have to fly book direct flights whenever possible to minimize carbon emissions, but depending on your departure and arrival cities consider other travel options. If your tradeshow is within… more
Sep 07, 2014
It's a new event era, where content creates opportunities for marketers and meeting planners to craft experiences that endear customers and members while having their brand message blasted across social media. An event may garner 5,000 people, but you could reach 5,000,000 when event content is generated and shared! Clearly, the Event Marketing Summit event is driving shares online – because this blog post is based on a session I attended there presented by Josh Nafman, Senior Digital Brand Manager at Pepsi, and his agency partner Matt Statman, CEO and Creative Director of Motive. They shared… 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.