Blogs

Apr 12, 2018
Whether you are a company or an individual professional, your social media presence or absence drives your visibility and branding. In addition, just planting your stake in the social media landscape is no longer adequate to enhance your brand. Once your digital locations are established, the next important step is to feed the “social media content monster.” That monster thrives on Posts, Tweets, Shares and Likes, similar to how we need oxygen to live. The content you post needs to be fresh so that it is relevant to interests of the audience at that moment. In addition, it needs to be timely… more
Apr 10, 2018
Career paths are not always linear. Sometimes they zigzag every which way, from different departments to new destinations. Exciting things can happen when your career path takes an unexpected turn. It’s rare to find someone who sought out a career in the events industry. Like so many event professionals, I fell into it, in a sense. After “falling into it,” I was promoted from one department to another, meeting people from all facets of the industry and continuously learning and growing along the way. My pinball career was self-made. I worked hard to create my own opportunities, as well as… more
Apr 05, 2018
Committing to specific digital tactics can be difficult for marketers. There are so many different approaches that it can be tempting to continuously swipe left in search of something better. While there are quite a few bad matches out there, there also are some strategies and channels that are keepers. These approaches aren’t perfect – some have even broken marketers’ hearts in the past – but settling down with them can lead to something beautiful. Specifically, every digital marketer who wants to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their efforts should learn to love these seven… more
Apr 03, 2018
The best events transcend engaging the audience – they make the subject matter and entire experience come alive. An increasingly popular method is projection mapping, a technique that upends all our memories of flat-screen home movie projections and creates 3D experiences like those at the Courtyard by Marriott Super Bowl Sleepover in New York City. From theme parks to Super Bowls to brand activations, event organizers are increasingly incorporating the tech. Also known as spatial augmented reality or video mapping, the technique maps projected images onto nearly any surface, such as a… more
Apr 02, 2018
Marketing your business at a trade show is one of the most effective ways to promote your business, but only if it’s done right. Throughout a trade show, you’ll meet a variety of potential customers and clients, but you’ll be surrounded by competition, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re able to make yourself stand out from the crowd. One of the best ways to do this is by writing effective marketing copy, perhaps in the form of brochures or flyers. This is a great way to inform and educate your leads and to help them remember you when they leave. To help you perfect this unique… more
Mar 27, 2018
With supple fabrics, charismatic hues and daring combinations of pattern and texture, exhibit and event décor design is both daring and demure in 2018. Color and pattern trends that will dominate the year include Gray Seating, Bold Energetic Colors, as well as Graphic and Tropical Patterns. Design trends you can expect to find in 2018 are Luxurious Curves, Rich Textures, Modern Industrial Chic incorporating the 70’s vibe, and Powered Meeting Chairs. Incorporating furniture design trends can keep exhibits relevant and engaging. Here are a few to consider:   Stark, angular furnishings are… more
Mar 22, 2018
Digital transformation has changed today’s audiences. Consumers are more sophisticated and skeptical, preferring experiences over brands, moments over bargains. Legacy advertising and marketing no longer have that impactful reach. This consumer shift hasn’t just changed brand experience marketing – which makes events more personal and tailored – but also the way organizers approach sponsorship. More than ever, it’s crucial for show organizers to challenge traditional sponsorship programs and take those extra (nuanced and digital) steps to understand and offer features that make sponsorship… more
Mar 20, 2018
Trade show professionals know that bigger booths tend to grab the most attention from attendees. A bigger booth means that massive creative displays can be set up, so visitors can’t help but gawk at the exhibit. Understandably, then, event marketers working with a smaller budget – and therefore a smaller booth – may sometimes feel a little disheartened, anxious that their humble little booth won’t reap a competitive return on investment (ROI). But the fact is that bigger isn’t always better. A giant highway billboard, for example, can bleed an advertising department of its budget – while a… more
Mar 15, 2018
We work with a host of clients, helping them bring sometimes massive spaces at a single location or distributed over the globe into the digital world. The technology enables them to give anyone, located anywhere in the world, the ability to explore their space in virtual reality. Tens to hundreds of thousands of square feet – at your fingertips. I got very excited when I saw how one client is using VR technology at a trade show, where they were able to “bring” their massive facility with them – in their pocket! Someone would walk up to their booth, strap on a pair of Oculus VR goggles and… more
Mar 13, 2018
If you're going to exhibit at a trade show, then you need to bring your A game. More importantly, you need to ensure that you spend as little as you can while still making the biggest possible impression on those you meet. So, while it's a good idea to bring some extra business cards and that pop-up display that catches the eye of every passerby, here are some things you should avoid doing in order to cut down on the amount of wasted material, time and effort at your next event. 1. Useful Promotional Giveaways If you're going to offer a promotional product, it's important to make sure it's… 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