Blogs

Mar 01, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported that for 83 percent of trade show exhibitors, a primary goal is to increase sales. Many exhibitors recognize the value participating in trade shows and conferences holds for driving sales. In its The Cost Effectiveness of Exhibition Participation report, CEIR stated that it takes an average 4.5 sales calls to close a sale without an exhibition lead versus 3.5 sales calls with one. So, why aren’t more exhibitors leveraging leading-edge event technologies to increase their ROI? There is one technology in particular that significantly… more
Feb 27, 2018
Quite often event organizers struggle with tight budgets and see getting an event app as a luxury they cannot afford. “This year we can’t make it, our budget has been approved and closed” or “We don’t have the budget for it this year” or “Maybe next year.” Any of those sound familiar? If you’re an event organizer, you probably have said those things more than once in your life and indeed those are perfectly understandable statements. However, in this post, we’ll try to present this issue from a bit of a different perspective. Getting an event app doesn’t have to be a cost at all. It can and… more
Feb 26, 2018
Events can cause considerable waste and a significant consumption of resources, like electricity and water. With the impact events can have on communities that host them and on the environment, event planners want to be mindful of this impact and increase sustainability efforts at events. First, we must understand the environmental, economic and social impact of the event before we can find ways to incorporate sustainability. Once you have identified the impact of your event, this can inspire ways for your event and its attendees to give back or go green. For example, your event can choose… more
Feb 22, 2018
If you’ve gone spelunking through our Trade Show Stars blog archive, by now you’ve gathered that training staff is your best asset to stand out at your show, get better leads and have a whole lot more fun at the show. It benefits everyone: attendees, show organizers, your company and even other booths. I’m writing some extra content around these topics because reflecting on all the show aspects that improve make training seem like a no-brainer. Let’s start with attendees. To quote Jay Z (loosely), “they could’ve been anywhere in the world, but they here with you.” We should appreciate that.… more
Feb 20, 2018
Exhibiting at ExhibitorLive provides the opportunity to unleash your most creative skills to promote and exhibit your products and services to a receptive audience that is excited about new stuff! As you prepare during the show countdown, it’s odd to know that you probably have the same feelings as your clients as they prepare for their shows. Your default setting is just to turn up, put on a good show and everyone will be happy! We quickly snap out of that mode, though, because this is the one show that delivers the perfect audience. In fact, it’s a tonic because those investing in… more
Feb 15, 2018
We saw a lot of trends emerge within the trade show circuit in 2017. Virtual and augmented reality became ubiquitous, mobile technology was used almost everywhere and even Amazon’s Alexa found its way to a more corporate setting. Brands upped the ante by bringing experiential marketing to new levels with pop-ups galore while offering niche entertainment and culinary offerings. The bar will only continue to rise and the stakes are getting even higher in this nearly $13 billion industry. According to a recent Bizzabo survey, 63 percent of marketers plan to increase budgets and participate in… more
Feb 13, 2018
Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s hard to miss the hype around the biggest football championship of the year. And this year’s coverage has been particularly interesting with a spotlight on first-time host, Minneapolis. Unlike previous metropolises like Houston and San Francisco, Minneapolis/St. Paul had some hurdles, including fewer traditional event space options and frosty conditions. But the Twin Cities capitalized on its “Bold North” strengths to become the ultimate Super Bowl hub with a wide lineup of memorable experiences in and outside the big game. The bonus for a smaller market like… more
Feb 09, 2018
Whether it’s making a list and checking it twice or end-of-year recaps and wrap-ups, winter is the season of lists. At Derse, much like when it comes to events, we’re all about preparation. So, we’ve scoured the internet for opinions and predictions on event marketing trends for the coming year. These predictions from Chief Marketer, Entrepreneur, Forbes and more, combined with our knowledge from the past year and our expertise in aiding companies with events, exhibits and experiences led to our own list. Here are the trends to look out for in event marketing over the next year.   Quality… more
Feb 07, 2018
Event organizers know that balancing tech trends with the realities of business and budgets is a challenge. Roll something out too early, or to an audience that doesn’t fit, and it can easily fail. Hold back on new tech and your event can feel dated. So how do you make sense of “bots” and voice-activated technology like Amazon Alexa? Well, the first place to start is understanding the difference between a new trend and a new technology. Bots, AI (artificial intelligence) messaging apps and voice-activated search are here to stay. This is not a "trend" – it's a technology. There is a… more
Feb 04, 2018
Do you know the infamous John Rice? If you’ve been in the trade show business for any length of time, chances are you do. And if you don’t – maybe it’s time you change that! Why, you ask? First of all, John is fun and second, he’s the guru on all things trade show-related (that’s what happens when you’ve spent close to 25 years in this industry…)! Basically, John is an event expert (he has witnessed it all) and knows how to listen carefully while wrapping his head around business models and goals for CVB’s, venues (all sizes), technology companies, suppliers (all kinds), marketing agencies… 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