Blogs

Jan 15, 2019
Event professionals at trade shows and exhibitions expect a display of seamless integration of the latest event tech. Event tech trends have evolved at a rapid pace continually in the past few years, creating ways for the new tech to accommodate in the events industry.  The events industry welcomes the dynamic and new elements of surprise that raise the attendee engagement at exhibitions. “Around 80 percent of planners embed a tech requirement in their initial request, but with a growing understanding of technology’s role in delegate management, feedback and ROI, that figure is rapidly… more
Jan 10, 2019
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) at exhibitions is growing but so is the cost and the complexity. So how do you use VR with your exhibition and how do you do it without spending all of your budget? To find out, we’re looking at what VR is, why that matters for exhibit stand builders and how you can use VR in your booth and manage the cost. We also look at VR in use to give you some inspiration for your next event. What is VR?  Virtual Reality builds or recreates spaces digitally. What makes VR exciting is what you can do in these spaces, which is almost anything. The equipment required for… more
Jan 08, 2019
Technology evolves faster every day and that’s a great thing when it comes to the event space. This rapid innovation means there are new event technologies available at a constant pace, bringing new ways to collect data, engage audiences, manage details and more. But how can event professionals stay on top of these new offerings and figure out what best applies to their needs and challenges? Read on for our predictions on what’s ahead when it comes to digital and event technology in 2019 and beyond. Be sure to read all the way to the end, where you'll be able to cast your vote for the… more
Jan 02, 2019
Post-trade show planning often gets overlooked, but I’m here to argue that your follow-up strategy is just as important as pre-show promotion and on-site preparation. It’s important to spend as much time — if not more time — on your post-event strategy because that’s when a key phase of connecting with your attendees begins: the follow-up. A strong, clean list is the first thing you will need to build your post-show plan and target future prospects. So, gathering your booth visitors’ basic contact information during the trade show, as well as more granular data such as interactions and… more
Dec 18, 2018
If you’ve been to a trade show, you’ll know that they can be something of a labyrinth that everyone is trying to navigate in their own way. There’s booth after booth, buzzwords galore and you’ll collect a thousand business cards that need to be sorted and emailed once you get back to work. Often, you’ll email those people without a clue who they are, and you never get a response anyway. So, how do you make sure that you are meeting the relevant people and that you make a lasting impression for them? How to Create an Eye-Catching Booth Your booth is where you’re going to attract most people… more
Dec 13, 2018
Exhibitors and sponsors invest significant resources – financial and human capital – to make their presence at leading trade shows and conferences a success. In fact, event marketing budgets are on the rise as evidenced by a Bizzaboo “Event Marketing 2018: Benchmarks and Trends” report that found that 63 percent of marketers plan on making higher investments in their event, both in terms of dollars spent and number of events in which they exhibit.  One area where event budgets are growing is event technology. For instance, Bizzaboo research suggests that $50 million was invested in 2017 for… more
Dec 11, 2018
You’ve spent months, maybe even years, planning your next big conference or event. It’s one of your organization’s most significant milestones this year and also, a big opportunity to generate earned press coverage. If you want to leverage the media and PR opportunities that trade shows and events provide, make sure to do these three things.  Think Local In the past six years, my agency has managed public relations for more than 80 conferences and events hosted by Experience Grand Rapids. While the majority of these meetings and groups hosted were from outside of the Grand Rapids region,… more
Dec 06, 2018
For many larger, tech-savvy companies and event venues, when a software need arises, a similar discussion takes place: is this something we can build and maintain ourselves, or better to invest in a third-party system to meet the need?  The market for event management software - spanning everything from venue management to ticketing, analytics, marketing and more - is growing at a phenomenal rate, and a recent report estimates the market to be worth 11.06 billion by 2020.  In this piece, I’ll break down some advantages and disadvantages of each side of the buy vs. build discussion, with a… more
Dec 04, 2018
Traditional seminar spaces are a thing of the past. Replacing them are engaging, tech-enabled, bespoke spaces that are beautiful, functional and sharable. Events should feel tailored to each attendee and excite from start to finish. By rethinking what each attendee needs from your seminar space, utilizing tech-enabled furniture and understanding the need for collaboration, you can create a space that feels daring, yet completely practical.  Use these tips to create a fresh and engaging space that works for your client and your attendee.  Connect to Tech: The best technology integrates what’… more
Nov 30, 2018
All trade shows, conferences and other events primarily exist for one reason: to allow the opportunity for face-to-face selling between attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. Of course, there are other reasons for events, such as education, but a trade show is its own ecosystem and its goal is to have growth with the perfect balance of qualified attendees and exhibitors. For the purposes of this article, the word “exhibitors” also includes sponsors. How do I increase my event attendance on a consistent basis? Take a look at the four key selling points that are outlined below and you might find… 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