Experts & Opinions
Apr 11, 2019
Trade show games will make your booth a fun place to be on the business-like trade show floor. But just because your attendees are having fun doesn’t mean you’re being silly on the company dime – quite the opposite! Trade show games help you achieve serious marketing and sales goals, increasing the return on your marketing investment.
Trade show games help increase awareness of your brand
While trade shows are a fantastic place to get your company brand in front of thousands of potential buyers, guess what? There are hundreds of other companies who had the same thought and they are doing… more
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Apr 09, 2019
Trade shows and sustainability aren’t often associated together. With huge amounts of materials and resources invested into creating single trade show stands (aka, exhibition booths), it’s no surprise that these events produce a high quantity of waste.
As sustainability becomes increasingly important, we make conscious decisions each day to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environment. These same choices can be made when planning an exhibition stand. From reducing energy usage to re-using materials, you can start making changes towards an environmental change.
Choose energy… more
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Apr 04, 2019
As most of you know, the safeguarding of personal data or as the GDPR calls it, personally identifiable information (PII), is a hot topic in the trade show industry.
This started with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that became EU law on May 25, 2018, and continues with the enactment of several state laws, most notably the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which will become effective on January 1.
First, a quick look back at the GDPR
The GDPR covers all companies worldwide that work with the personally identifiable information of anyone residing in the EU, either… more
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Apr 02, 2019
Events today are much more than the simple gatherings that they used to be. This change can majorly be attributed to the dawn of technology that has made its way into every aspect of event planning and execution.
This transformation has made its way to the trade show and exhibitions industry as well. One of the key concepts that are leading this change is lead retrieval. Lead retrieval tools are the new “in” technology in the trade show and exhibitions industry, changing the way organizers facilitate exhibitor ROI through data generation.
Before we delve into the topic of lead retrieval… more
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Mar 28, 2019
Events play a fundamental role in a sales team’s ability to provide prospects with the best customer journey. Why? As a customer gets deeper into their journey, strategic face-to-face meetings must take place to close deals and ensure success. Strategic meetings, such as product demos, partner meetings, customer meetings, etc., are business-to-business meetings that can generate real outcomes.
In fact, a recent Harvard Business Review study showed that 52 percent of respondents credit event marketing with driving more business value than other marketing channels. However, only 23 percent… more
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Mar 26, 2019
Do you produce events? Trade shows? Conferences? Are you maximizing your revenue? If you think you are, maybe you should still read on because I think you will find a few nuggets below.
Having spent the vast majority of my career in the events and show management industry and in talking to other show management professionals, keeping up with and coming up with innovative sponsorships can be a challenge.
In my last role, I had a great vendor with whom, when he was in town, I would go to dinner and “talk shop,” specifically about what creative things he was seeing in the industry. We would… more
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Mar 21, 2019
Gone are the days when attendees expected to be confronted with stacks of products literature. Whether you have a limited design budget or if you’re just trying to set your booth apart in a crowded exhibit hall, minimalist designs can offer a fresh, inviting and modern alternative to busier layouts.
Here are some helpful design tips to make sure your booth doesn’t cause attendee overload:
Declutter your graphics. Think about the overly busy billboards you sometimes see along a highway – you often can’t tell who the advertiser is, let alone what value proposition is being communicated. Does… more
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Mar 19, 2019
In the trade show industry, the mantra of “if you build it, they will come” is not one to live by. With so much time and effort spent on the planning and execution of the show, shouldn’t an equal amount of time be dedicated to developing a communications campaign that ensures that all of the key audiences – exhibitors, attendees and yes, media – are aware of your show, what it is and why they should be there?
When it comes to promoting a trade show, one of the tools that are often overlooked but could have the biggest impact and best return on investment, is public relations. Public… more
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Mar 14, 2019
With March Madness right around the corner, I couldn’t help but think about how the teams that get to The Big Dance have just the right mix of game-winning strategies – sort of like the components that go into creating and managing a successful event app!
To make your event app a slam dunk, you need to consider some key factors that can make it a winning success. Here are the top tips event organizers should consider as they put together a game plan for winning over their attendees, sponsors and exhibitors!
The Coach
Make sure the right person on your team is leading the event app effort… more
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Mar 12, 2019
As conference organizers, we are always looking for ways to create new experiences that capture attendees’ attention, fuel their participation and keep them talking about the event long after they’ve returned home.
Aside from the draw of a keynote speaker, a trendy networking dinner or even volunteer opportunity, what other kinds of memorable and meaningful WOW is out there? Here’s a hint: It begins with some workout clothes.
Stretch Your Event Potential
As a yoga teacher,… more
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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