CEIR Publishes Fifth Report in Series Focused on Attendee Floor Engagement Tactics
August 23, 2017
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the fifth report in its newest study series on attendee floor engagement, Part Five: Exhibition Floor Networking Opportunities Outside Exhibit Booths.
CEIR’s earlier study, the Attendee Retention Insight Study, revealed that one of the drivers of repeat attendance is the opportunity for people-to-people engagement on an exhibition floor.
In addition to the face-to-face engagement experienced in expo booths, show organizers are making additional networking activities available in common areas to help attendees meet their business engagement objectives.
CIER’s newest report explores the range of networking opportunities exhibition organizers are making available on the show floor beyond exhibit booths, assesses the extent that exhibitors sponsor or participate in these activities and evaluates the level of attendee use of each.
“Networking activities on an exhibition floor, when done well, deepen the quality of the experience for attendees with a variety of ways to achieve their peer-to-peer and product expert engagement goals,” said Cathy Breden, CEIR CEO.
She continued, “The trick is to offer networking that complements and does not compete with exhibitors’ agenda. This report offers examples on how organizers achieve this.”
As the fifth in an eight-report series on attendee floor engagement, the 14-page report offers exhibitors and organizers a comprehensive resource to help them understand the range of attendee engagement tactics used on the expo floor by inventorying the availability and performance of 10 networking activities organizers can make available in common areas.
In addition, the report identifies which activities are most popular, which enjoy the highest rate of exhibitor sponsorships and most importantly, which enjoy the highest rate of attendee use, thus signaling effective attendee engagement.
Commentary from exhibitors and organizers is also provided, illustrating how key trends are put into action.
In addition to total results, the report identifies unique differences by exhibitor by industry sector, the extent of exhibition activity and other key demographics. By exhibition organizer, differences are reported by an event’s size and regional scope of participation.
The 2017 Attendee Floor Engagement Study consists of the following reports:
• Part One: Exhibitor In-booth Tactics – People, Product, Learning, Emotion and Other Tactics
• Part Two: Exhibitor In-booth Tactics – Use of Exhibition Organizer Digital Tactics and Other Services
• Part Three: Exhibitor In-booth Tactics – Methods Used to Evaluate Outcomes
• Part Four: Exhibitor In-booth Tactics – Looking to the Future – Areas to Improve and Interest in New Models
• Part Five: Exhibition Floor Networking Opportunities Outside Exhibit Booths
• Part Six: Exhibition Floor Product Engagement Activities Outside Exhibit Booths
• Part Seven: Exhibition Floor Learning Activities Outside Exhibit Booths
• Part Eight: Exhibition Organizers – Methods Used to Evaluate Outcome, Areas to Improve, Interest in New Models
For more information and to download the report, go here.
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.
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