Experts & Opinions

Aug 17, 2013
TSNN decided to start off 2014 with one of the most popular blog posts from last year. Enjoy! We love Mike's work! Looking for statistical justification that trade shows are a great marketing medium?  Or numerical inspiration to guide your trade show program?  You’ve come to the right place. At EXHIBITOR 2013 this year, Skyline hosted a game show called “Staggering Trade Show Stats” in our trade show booth. These stats were shared with show attendees to help them justify and maximize their trade show marketing. You can use these 16 stats to help guide… more
Aug 10, 2013
Trade shows are the places for exhibitors to shine and present their products or services in the best possible light. Even if you have the most attractive trade show booth with banners and an awesome pop-up display, you can still make mistakes. 1. Annoying Barriers Trade show tables are a must, but did you know if you place them in front of your booth space and sit behind them it creates a barrier between you and the attendees? Place display tables at an angle in the corners of your space or off to one side so you're free to meet, greet, and get to know the attendees. 2. Nobody Knows… more
Aug 10, 2013
Planning for a trade show can be intense and overwhelming, even for seasoned exhibitors, so when you reach out to your exhibitors you want to quickly and easily explain to them why taking advantage of different eco-friendly sponsorships can help their business and the planet. Here are Three Strategies for Selling Trade Show Sponsorships with an Environmental Edge Branded Recycling Bins - Recycling bins should be located in a high-traffic area so people can easily dispose of their empty soda and water bottles and other recyclable materials right? Emblazoning a recycling bin with a company… more
Aug 01, 2013
How often have you sat in a presentation and said to yourself, “Wow, this is so boring … I can’t sit through another meeting like this”. Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, when was the last time you left a meeting inspired and confident about what you just heard? There’s no better way to influence customers (and even co-workers) than by delivering an effective and motivating presentation. Over the past 20 years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours working with GES’ sales teams presenting designs to our clients and prospects. The list below contains… more
Aug 01, 2013
In a recent blog post on btoboonline.com (“I just flew in from the trade show and boy are the booths tired“), Tom Nightingale laments the poor trade show habits of exhibitors at a show he just attended, and offered 7 concise, valuable tips on how exhibitors could do better. Tom was frustrated that, even with the wealth of best practices available with just a Google search, too many exhibitors were not searching for and implementing exhibiting best practices.  I know we’ve tried to help them, too – we’ve published about 200,000 words on this blog over the… more
Jul 26, 2013
Planning and executing a successful trade show isn't smoke and mirrors. People love attending trade shows, and vendors are excited to show their stuff and make new leads and connections. So, the basis for your show already is in place. All you have to do is set it up and market it smartly. Choose a Convenient Venue Small cities and towns may offer only a single venue suitable for a trade show. But if you're in a larger city, you'll want to select a venue that's easy for non-locals to find, and convenient for everyone to get to. Make sure it's accessible by tractor-… more
Jul 26, 2013
I think we can all agree that trade show communication (pre, during and post) is vital to increase booth traffic and lead generation.  So, how do you work to get that necessary trade show communication just right (or write, as the case may be)?  This is important whether you are developing the copy yourself or using the services of the professional writer, as you can use these tips for your own work or to review someone else’s work.  Get your thoughts in order.  You need to work on getting your thoughts down and organized.  When you are doing this, think of… more
Jul 20, 2013
Earlier this year, I wrote a surprisingly popular blog post called “44 Things A Booth Staffer Does.” Some readers were amazed at the wide range of skills and tasks booth staffers require, while other readers wanted to share with their naïve peers just how much staffers actually do. That led me to think about the job of your biggest booth staffer.  And I’m not talking about that body builder from sales, or the big cheese CEO.  I’m talking about your trade show booth. Trade show displays are multitasking marvels made of metal, wood, fabric and more.… more
Jul 20, 2013
There is a very interesting tidal shift in the U.S tradeshow industry. It’s a well sailed ocean in Europe, but a new current here.  What’s the big splash? Cities investing in tradeshows. I am not talking about wooing shows to the city. I am talking about money on the table types of partnerships.  As we all know, the German Messe’s have long owned and operated tradeshows on behalf their cities.  In addition, they have branched out all over the world with excellent results. Messe Deusseldorf alone has events in 13 OTHER countries (now including the U.S.) than… more
Jul 13, 2013
Tradeshows are a great way to reconnect with your existing clients, while also reaching out to new customers. We all know that these events take a lot of planning and organization, but your hard work really pays off when you build your brand and expand your customer base. Tradeshows also can take a toll on the environment, though, as they are responsible for generating tons of waste. In fact, according to data from Smash Hit Displays, the tradeshow industry is second only to the construction industry in the amount of waste we create.  So what can we do? Here are five easy ways to reduce… 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.