Each Booth Staffer Should Have a Role

Submitted by lpsavas@tsnn.com on Wed, 12/06/2017 - 10:10

There is a perception by some Event Managers that the best booth staffer is always the outgoing sales person who is outspoken and fun. While sales reps can be great staffers, there are other personality types and expertise characteristics that can be just as important to round out your perfect team. Below I outline some key roles for booth staffers candidates you can use to fill those roles at your next trade show.

Engager/Crowd Gatherer

It Was All About Connections at 2017 IAEE’s Expo! Expo! in San Antonio

Getting together face-to-face was the primary goal of the 2017 IAEE Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting and Exhibition, which took place Nov. 28–30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The show focused on making connections, both with fellow attendees and with education sessions that ran on three tracks: researched-informed, data-guided and experience-designed.

Shepard Acquires California-based McCUNE Audio-Video-Lighting

Full-service event production company, Shepard, has acquired McCUNE Audio-Video-Lighting, a California-based provider of audio-visual and entertainment services for the events industry.

The acquisition will help expand Shepard AV, the Atlanta-based company’s audio-visual division.

“It’s an exciting time for Shepard AV,” said Stuart Danneman, executive vice president of Shepard AV.

Engaging with Technology at Expo! Expo!

The IAEE Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2017 drew some great technology features to the show. This year’s event, held Nov. 28–30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, offered some very interesting technology engagement options for those in attendance.

Technology as education: At the education session titled Leveraging Digital Insights to Create Brand Experiences, Wilson Tang, vice president at Freeman XP, talked about using technology to create customized brand experiences.

Deborah Sexton Stepping Down from Professional Convention Management Association

After more than 12 years, President and CEO Deborah Sexton has decided to move on from the Professional Convention Management Association and will step down after the upcoming Convening Leaders event in January in Nashville.

Sexton shared her decision with the Board of Directors at the September meeting. The Board voted unanimously to approve COO Sherrif Karamat as the new CEO.

This follows careful succession planning at PCMA, where Sexton and Karamat have worked closely together since 2005.

International Exhibiting: 4 Tips to Keep You on Track

Submitted by lpsavas@tsnn.com on Fri, 12/01/2017 - 09:08

One of the best things about our industry is that we’re not limited by geography or cultural boundaries. Because each country has its own exhibiting style, rules and practices, it’s important to acquaint yourself and your team with the differences so you don’t go into this process blindly.

During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to manage global brand activations for many clients and I’ve developed practices that provide the best opportunity for success.

a2z Announces Launch of New Event Management and Marketing Solutions at Expo!Expo!

a2z, Inc., provider of cloud-based event management and marketing tools, has been busy developing several new event technology solutions for trade show, exhibition, conference and professional meeting organizers.

In an effort to spread the word about these solutions throughout the events industry, the company showcased three new offerings at Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting, held Nov. 28-30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

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.