Blogs

Aug 09, 2023
Companies are ready to invest significant budgets to participate in exhibitions, as events can comprise a large concentration of a target audience. But how to make these investments as effective as possible? The main task of a booth or a brand zone is to interact with a target audience, depending on the purpose of participation in an exhibition, to find partners, clients or potential employees. The marketing role of a booth is to be bright and original to attract as many visitors as possible. To solve this task effectively, the booth should be visually attractive, functional and interactive… more
Aug 02, 2023
Inflation impacts all industries, and the event industry is no exception. An economic downturn means higher venue prices, even as the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency causes a greater demand for face-to-face events. And event professionals and teams are caught in the crossfire, forced to find ways to cut costs while still delivering ROI for event attendees. These pressures, in turn, can lead to burnout and turnover.  Fortunately, there is a solution for thriving in the face of adversity: resilience, a kind of professional flexibility. It is the ability to snap back from difficulties.… more
Jul 26, 2023
Making events easily accessible and inclusive for neurodiverse participants — like those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others — should be an essential consideration when planning any event, large or small. Let’s dive into how events could be tweaked to cater to everyone, no matter how your participants interact with the world around them. Understanding Neurodiversity Before planning any changes for your upcoming event, it’s important to understand what neurodiversity means and then consider the various types of neurodiverse individuals who may attend your event. Neurodiversity is a… more
Jul 19, 2023
I can’t believe it's been more than 20 years since I stumbled into this industry. I had no idea what I was getting into. I remember feeling like I'd joined the circus – moving from city to city, building events and tearing them down and creating amazing, unique experiences for the guests. I've traveled all over the U.S., and every time I tell people what I do for a living, they assume I've seen so much of this country. But the truth is, my pictures are inside venues, my memories are on the show floor, and my traveling companions are mostly my industry peers.  One of my most vivid memories… more
Jul 12, 2023
Personalization is the key to capturing consumer loyalty and creating strong customer ties. When you truly understand your audience’s unique preferences, you can create memorable experiences that keep them coming back for more.   This level of personalization can best be achieved with data-driven strategies that you tailor to the individual needs of your audience. While there are various approaches to mastering personalization, field marketing has become one of the most powerful tactics to affect it. When properly implemented, it can engage customers, build trust and ultimately boost your… more
Jul 05, 2023
If you are an exhibitor in the food and beverage industry, you’ve probably noticed a shift in food and beverage marketing trends toward personalization over the past few years. This trend began with small businesses but has since been adopted by major corporations. Personalization enhances connection by providing each trade show guest with a unique experience. There are many ways to personalize a food or beverage product. One of the ways you could implement personalization is to print names or photos onto individual packaging or even the product itself. Implementing an effective food and… more
Jun 28, 2023
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the power of language and its potential to perpetuate biases and stereotypes, we must examine the words we use daily. This is especially important in the events industry, where we have an obligation to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all attendees, exhibitors, partners and more. In part two of our series, we’ll explore additional words and phrases that are common in the events industry but have negative historical connotations or promote exclusivity. From the insensitive use of “manhours” to the problematic term “grandfathered-in,”… more
Jun 21, 2023
Face-to-face trade shows were fatally interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies were forced to let go of their exhibit managers, and as a result, they are now filling that function with less experienced personnel. This has highlighted the need for exhibitor education and training of inexperienced personnel in a way that ultimately generates better quality leads that make their follow-up easier for the sales force. Trade shows are generally a significant cost line item on a company’s marketing budget, and it is no longer cost-effective to simply show up and show off to exhibit.… more
Jun 14, 2023
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to be the stuff of dreams for event planners, but with the introduction and growing popularity of tools such as ChatGPT, these dreams could soon become reality. Launched by OpenAI back in June 2020, the AI-based chatbot is creating waves of excitement. With the ability to provide incredibly detailed and human-like responses to highly demanding queries, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the way we gain information.  However, in the event industry, there are still many who question whether the technology will ever be ready for more… more
Jun 07, 2023
The majority of trade shows that American businesses attend will be on U.S. soil, but there are also significant benefits to exhibiting in the United Kingdom. With the second-largest population in Europe and the sixth-largest economy in the world, the U.K. is a global business hub and an important bridge between the U.S. and Europe. While the events industry in the U.K. has many similarities to that of the U.S., the terminology used can vary significantly. Below is a glossary of common industry terms and how they differ between the U.S. and the U.K. “Trade show” (U.S.) Versus “Exhibition” (… more
Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact