TSNN Trade Show News

Be Careful What You Pay For: What to Know About Event Cancellation Insurance

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:14:50 +0000

Be Careful What You Pay For: What to Know About Event Cancellation Insurance

April 24, 2024

Arthur Garrett

Arthur (Art) Garrett is Keller and Heckman LLP’s General Counsel and Co-Chair of the firm’s national litigation practice. He advises clients on insurance coverage and recovery, with an emphasis on trade associations.

Event cancellation insurance is a specialized insurance that provides financial coverage for organizations if they must cancel, postpone, abandon or relocate an event. It is essential for organizations hosting trade shows, conferences, concerts, festivals, celebrations or sporting events to maintain event cancellation insurance to improve their chances of recovering their losses if they cannot hold an event.

Obtaining full insurance coverage is often impossible under the “inability” definitions in these policies, which mean either a “physical inability” (the facility is no longer operational) and/or a “legal inability” (an ordinance restricts access to the facility or the event's occurrence violates civil or criminal laws).

Here are some important considerations if you purchase event cancellation insurance to maximize your potential coverage:

1. Purchase event cancellation insurance well in advance of the event, guaranteeing potential coverage if needed. You may purchase policies for recurring events, and multiple events can be covered under the same policy. Organizations should purchase event cancellation policies separately from their general liability (CGL) or property policies, as courts generally do not recognize event cancellation losses claimed under a CGL policy.

2. Carefully examine your policy for notice and cancellation timing. Policies contain specific provisions for notice and cancellation. If you cancel an event too soon, the adjuster may push back, asking the organization to wait longer to cancel or encourage an enforced reduced attendance claim. Enforced reduced attendance means that some potential attendees could attend the event. Insurers prefer enforced reduced attendance claims because they offer less coverage, but organizations may counter-argue that they purchased insurance for the event’s projected attendance. All policies require the insurer to submit a notice of loss within a specific number of days following a cancellation or postponement decision.

3. Budgeting and Accounting. Organizations should submit a budget to the insurer that covers all event expenses, including the event’s location, frequency, sponsors, vendors and booths. If the insured does not submit a budget, the insurers will consider historical pick-up reports from prior events, such as amount received from sponsors and attendees, and when cancellation occurred.

If the budget is lower than the claim amount, the insurer may deem you “underinsured” and will not cover all the expenses requested. Thus, it is best to submit a higher budget and claim less. Ensure the budget contains specific line items so the insurer can reference these items in the contract when evaluating the claim. Organizations should be prepared to submit records of attendee and exhibitor cancellations, communications regarding those cancellations and payment records for advertising, speakers, contractors and sponsors.

4. Outside Contractors. Organizations must be cautious about how they work with outside vendors, including hotels and the event location. Ideally, do not pay these outside vendors prior to filing a claim. Paying vendors signals the event can proceed. Insist on a provision allowing the organization to terminate hotel and vendor contracts without liability if the underlying event is canceled.

5. Key Exclusions. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many policies contain a communicable disease exclusion, which courts have interpreted applies only if the World Health Organization (WHO) or government agency declares the communicable disease an epidemic or pandemic.^[ii]

Most policies also contain a war exclusion.^[iii] For example, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, many organizations that had events scheduled shortly thereafter were unable to recover insurance, because the event’s cancellation was not beyond the insured’s control and the attacks were excluded as an act of war.^[iv]

Legal counsel can help you identify policy exclusions you should be aware of to determine whether you qualify for indemnification and can assist with the notice requirements and proper documentation to submit a claim to the insurer.

^[ii] Radiological Soc'y of N. Am., Inc. v. Those Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's of London, No. 21 C 1265, 2021 WL 2853360 (N.D. Ill. July 8, 2021), appeal dismissed, No. 21-2455, 2021 WL 6841553 (7th Cir. Oct. 13, 2021).

^[iii] See Whitman, supra note 2.

^[iv] Id; see also Info Management Network v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, 2004 NYLJ Lexis 4607, at *1-2 (N.Y. Oct. 15, 2004).

Editor's note: Sara Zeimer, an associate with Keller and Heckman LLP, contributed to this article. She advises clients on litigation matters in multiple areas, including toxic torts, pharmaceuticals, product liability and environmental actions. She represents clients, from emerging start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, before state and federal courts.

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New Business Deals: Taffy Event Strategies, Emerald and More Announce Show Launches, Partnerships

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:09:11 +0000

New Business Deals: Taffy Event Strategies, Emerald and More Announce Show Launches, Partnerships

April 23, 2024

Lisa Plummer Savas

From new show launches and business ventures to strategic partnerships and acquisitions, the trade show landscape has been buzzing with event companies announcing new business moves and agreements this spring.

Taffy Event Strategies to Launch High Performance Expo (HPX) Next Year

Full-service trade show and management company Taffy Event Strategies is gearing up to launch a new show for the automotive racing and performance industry, High Performance Expo (HPX). Set for June 3-5, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center, the inaugural business and consumer show will be the exclusive business and consumer show of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA).

Created for professional race teams, manufacturers of new cars and high-performance parts, retail performance shops, industry experts and enthusiasts, HPX 2025 will feature vibrant displays, educational programming led by industry experts, curated networking and sponsor opportunities and interactive activations for automotive fans everywhere, according to Taffy Event Strategies officials.

“The car culture and racing community in the southeast is like no other – it’s authentic, high quality and so passionate,” said Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies. “This community deserves an event that they can call their own, that’s why we are launching the High Performance Expo.”

She continued, “Charlotte is the perfect East Coast location with natural ties and partnership opportunities for this dynamic industry. Stay tuned for big name sponsors, partners, exhibitors and consumer-facing activities.”

Trade show industry veteran Dana Teague will serve as HPX’s general manager.

Emerald Acquires B2B Digital Media Platform Hotel Interactive

Emerald has acquired Hotel Interactive (HI), a premier conference and leading multi-channel hosted buyer business with a portfolio of 15 in-person annual events serving various segments of the hospitality and senior living industry sectors.

With this acquisition, HI joins Emerald’s Connecting Point Marketing Group (CPMG) to create an expanded portfolio of industry-leading hosted buyer events that drive engaging one-to-one executive connections within strategic vertical market segments.

Hervé Sedky

“The partnership between CMPG and HI represents a significant step forward in Emerald’s portfolio optimization strategy, enabling us to enhance our leading hosted buyer platform,” explained Hervé Sedky, president and CEO of Emerald. “Together, the two companies represent a portfolio of 29 annual wholesale buying events that are unmatched in serving their target markets within selected segments of the hospitality, restaurant, healthcare, retail and grocery industries.”

He added, “Our shared goal is to leverage best practices, innovative technology and strategic investments to deliver unparalleled value to both new and existing events and accelerate our growth opportunities.”

All HI employees have joined the Emerald team, with HI President Rich Viola continuing to lead HI’s portfolio events and B2B digital media offerings, including its Business Interactive Trade Alliances & Conferences (BITAC), HealthTac trade shows and FSM Summit and digital newsletters and websites including Hotel Interactive and Senior Living News.

“Because HI and CPMG serve many of the same industries, we will now significantly expand both the scope and scale of our business, focusing on making our two brands the undisputed leaders of these specialized business segments,” Viola said. “We also promise to deliver an even higher level of client satisfaction, as our combined event portfolio will offer unmatched benefits and value to our customers.”

CloserStill Media Acquires Majority Stake in UK-based Elite Exhibitions

Business events, exhibitions and conferences producer CloserStill Media has acquired a majority stake in Brighton, UK-based Elite Exhibitions, producer of leading cruise ship design trade shows in the U.S. and Europe. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Joining CloserStill’s growing Future Transport and Infrastructure group, Elite Exhibitions produces the annual Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo (CSI) shows in London and Miami, events for the marine design and build sector that were launched in 2019.

CSI Expo

Elite Co-founders CEO Toby Walters CEO and Commercial Director Sam Murray will continue to lead the Elite team.

“We are truly excited to be partnering with CloserStill Media – a company who share our passion for launching new products whilst taking a thoughtful approach to growing events,” Walters said. “This partnership will provide both our team and our business the ability to pursue new opportunities whilst accelerating our growth.”

According to CloserStill officials, the investment in the high-growth cruise ship sector complements both the company’s Automotive Interiors Expo events in the U.S. and Europe and its Influence Group business in North America, which serves the built environment and design sector across multiple verticals, including hotels, restaurants and retail.

“Elite is a dynamic, fast-growing business and the cruise ship sector is an attractive sector and is complementary to several of our existing shows in the transportation sector as well as broader design and built environment space,” said Gareth Bowhill, CEO of CloserStill Media. “Toby and Sam are creative, talented leaders who have built a unique culture with their dynamic team, and we are excited about what the partnership will bring to the expanded CloserStill group.”

Clarion Events North America Chairman Greg Topalian Launches On Deck Ventures

Greg Topalian

Greg Topalian, chairman of Clarion Events North America, is launching On Deck Ventures, a new event consulting firm offering strategic guidance, venture funding and impactful connections to support businesses build trade shows and events in high-growth and emerging industries.

Topalian, who brings a wealth of knowledge and vision to On Deck Ventures with more than 25 years of industry experience, said this new venture fills a void of supporting entrepreneurs with both needed investment and advice and guidance.

“I am excited about the opportunities ahead for On Deck Ventures and the impact we can make within the events industry,” Topalian said. “The combination of my work with Clarion and with these early-stage businesses provides an opportunity to redefine industry standards, foster innovation and unlock unparalleled potential.”

As part of its launch, On Deck Ventures announced strategic partnerships with The Fora Group, which operates Ai4 and RETCON, and the launch of Yotta, a new event serving the data industry.

Messe Frankfurt Selects Convention Data Services for The Clean Show for 2025 and 2027

The Clean Show

Global trade show producer Messe Frankfurt selected event registration, business intelligence and lead management partner Convention Data Services (CDS), a Freeman Company, to provide registration, contact center and lead management services for its biennial event, The Clean Show, in 2025 and 2027.

The Clean Show — a North American expo for laundering, dry cleaning, textile care services, supplies and equipment — brings together industry professionals to network, educate and share the latest technologies.

“CDS provides registration services for various other shows in our portfolio, and we are happy to grow our partnership,” said Shermell Williams, senior operations manager at Messe Frankfurt. “We appreciate CDS’ proactive engagement, which helps foster a seamless event experience.”

Have a trade show-related new business deal to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Eco-Warrior Insights: 10 Steps Toward Greening Your Gatherings

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:42:01 +0000

Eco-Warrior Insights: 10 Steps Toward Greening Your Gatherings

April 22, 2024

Danica Tormohlen

In celebration of Earth Day 2024, we want to share highlights from our latest podcast interview with Honeycomb Strategies CEO and ASM Global Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsay Arell. These 10 takeaways highlight the multifaceted approach to sustainability in events, encompassing operational changes, partnerships, transparency and a broader industry shift towards sustainable practices.

Integration of Sustainability Practices: Natural Products Expo West is one trade show that’s leading by example. The trade show has successfully integrated sustainability practices into nearly every aspect of its operations over the last 10 years. Find out more about the show’s sustainability program here.

Efforts to Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Informa Markets, event organizer of Natural Products Expo West, has made a significant effort to implement alternatives to single-use plastics, such as reusable cups and sampling containers.

At the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, Natural Products Expo West 2024 launched a zero-waste sampling pilot program that aimed to reduce trash and related carbon emissions by replacing 10,000 single use paper and plastic cups with a reusable alternative.

Partnerships for Sustainability Goals: Finding partners to achieve ambitious sustainability goals is crucial, and transparency about these efforts attracts more stakeholders to join the cause.

Transparency and Credibility: Openly sharing sustainability initiatives and challenges, and being credible in claims, are essential for building trust and progressing in sustainability efforts.

Personal Journey in Sustainability: Arell's journey into sustainability started from her personal experiences and observations of waste in events, leading her to pitch a sustainability-focused role.

Role as Chief Sustainability Officer: Arell's role involves developing and implementing sustainability practices across ASM Global's venues worldwide, focusing on environmental metrics like energy, waste, water and food.

Honeycomb Strategies CEO and ASM Global Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsay Arell

Challenges in Establishing Baseline Metrics: Gathering accurate data and establishing baseline metrics for sustainability performance across diverse venues and regions is a complex but necessary process.

Corporate Sustainability Goals: ASM Global has set ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving renewable energy consumption, waste diversion, eliminating single-use plastics and reducing water consumption and food waste.

Behavioral Shifts for Sustainability: Emphasizing operational practices, such as turning off lights and proper waste disposal, plays a significant role in achieving sustainability goals.

Trends in Sustainability for 2024: Trends include a shift towards reusables instead of single-use items, increased focus on water bottle filling stations and the importance of certifications like ISO 20121 and Event Sustainability Standards from the Event Industry Council.

Want to know more? Listen to the full interview here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Freeman Report Details Exhibitor Objectives and Data-Driven Strategies for Show Organizers

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:06:20 +0000

Freeman Report Details Exhibitor Objectives and Data-Driven Strategies for Show Organizers

April 22, 2024

Lisa Plummer Savas

While 61% of exhibitors claimed unpredictable costs have a major influence on their decision to attend an event, 93% believe the quality of expected attendees is the most impactful outcome, even when compared to external constraints, according to “Event Excellence by Design,” a new report that takes an inside look at exhibitor objectives and provides show organizers with insightful data to help them design more impactful event experiences.

Lead quality remains the No. 1 measure of success, even more than last year. When exhibitors were asked how they measure the value their organization receives from exhibiting and sponsoring, 67% said quality of leads, compared with 63% in 2023. Other measures of success include: actual sales (51%), number of leads (50%), potential sales (42%), number of meetings/business connections (32%) and traffic to exhibit as a result of sponsorship (10%)

Created by global events company Freeman, the report follows on the heels of its 2024 Attendee Trends Report, released in January, which proposed a new way for organizers to think about event excellence.

Backstory: Comprising a wide swath of B2B exhibitors and sponsors who also exhibit, the report’s data stems from a survey conducted in February that garnered responses from 1,911 industry professionals.

Why it matters: From understanding exhibitor concerns to uncovering where exhibitors and attendees do or don’t align, the data helps pave a path for organizers to produce events that are more meaningful for everyone despite differences in age, event type and objective, according to Freeman officials.

What they are saying: “Successful events don’t happen by accident, and it’s important to understand the objectives of all parties involved including exhibitors, attendees and sponsors,” said Ken Holsinger, senior vice president of strategy at Freeman. “For event organizers, this understanding of their customers and ongoing shifts in trends and demographics is all critical in delivering value to the overall experience.”

We did a deeper dive into the data to put together this curated list of highlights from the research:

Exhibitor participation is holding steady: After a successful 2023, most exhibitor budgets will increase or stay the same in 2024. According to the report, 79% of exhibitors plan to attend the same number of events or more in the next year, and 75% do not plan on cutting back their exhibiting budgets.

Lead generation reigns supreme: The most important components of the overall event experience for exhibitors are:

35% lead generation
25% brand impact/awareness
24% sales
17% lead nurturing

Exhibitor demographics and event types are shifting: 46% of exhibit marketers are now female (5% more than last year), and their average age has decreased from 51 to 47. 72% are exhibiting at various types of events beyond just trade shows.

More exhibitors are considering independent events: Despite promising exhibitor event plans and budgets, gaps in expectation and satisfaction with third-party events remain. Those exhibitors who can afford to are planning or executing their own independent events to realize more value.

Exhibitors want more out of lead generation and networking: Meeting with customers/prospects and acquiring leads are top objectives, however, exhibitors are increasingly unsatisfied with the leads they receive.

Exhibitors want predictable, all-inclusive packages: 64% of exhibitors agree that turnkey, all-inclusive exhibit packages are the most important type of assistance from event organizers. However, “all-inclusive” can look different for small and large exhibitors.

Big picture: The report also details the growing gaps between attendee and exhibitor expectations, exhibitor behaviors and attendee needs and large and small exhibitors, and provides valuable action steps for organizers to bridge those gaps and deliver greater value across the events ecosystem.

Download the Freeman 2024 Exhibitor Trends Report – Event Excellence by Design here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Tech News: How Pixperience Takes Event Photo Booths to the Next Level

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:16:45 +0000

Tech News: How Pixperience Takes Event Photo Booths to the Next Level

April 19, 2024

Danica Tormohlen

Looking to create high-end, red carpet-worthy videos that event attendees will share?

Companies like Pixperience provide interactive photo booths like no other — using the latest camera technology to capture the moment in vivid detail and engagement with an immersive experience that your brand creates.

Every event attendee can be a glamorous star when they step into a space that seamlessly blends creativity and technology to create unforgettable experiences that attendees can share instantly on social channels.

We tested two Pixperience products at EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 and interviewed Pixperience Vice President, Operations Derek Wuenschirs to find out how this product works at trade shows. Here’s what we learned.

Why it matters: In a bustling exhibition hall amid the buzz of attendees and exhibitors, the 20x10 Pixperience footprint featured two photo options: one using the Pixbot robot arm to capture videos and one offering the 180-degree photo booth using multiple cameras.

Pixperience set-up at EXHIBITORLIVE 2024.

How it worked: Attendees stepped inside the 180 booth (360 booths are also offered) and posed as they had their photo taken by a dozen cameras. The photos are taken simultaneously and stitched together to create a 3D effect. Attendees receive their video instantly, and the GIF or MP4 is great for posting online.

Big picture: As the cameras click, a freeze-frame moment is born. The image instantly appears on a screen, ready to be shared. Exhibitors and organizers can personalize the experience, adding show or brand logos and themes to the videos that attendees can easily share on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, amplifying brand visibility and engagement.

What it costs: "About $12,000 for one day, fully branded and delivered with all production and operations included."

How it delivers leads: "Data capture is baked into everything we do," said Wuenschirs, who emphasized the seamless integration of contact information capture and branding opportunities.

Which events have used it: Pixperience used its 360-degree photo system at Dreamforce – the annual tech conference produced by Salesforce – and created shareable GIFs for nearly 2,000 guests over four days.

Who else they work with: Previous clients include Hyundai 180 Catch - Super Bowl Photo Booth, Dell Match Play 360º Photo Booth, Kate Spade New York - Bloom Bloom and AAA Game Day 180º Photo Booth — to name a few.

Watch or listen to our full interview and see the on-site demo here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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The Sustainability Equation: Balancing Immersive Events and Environmental Impact

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:42:00 +0000

The Sustainability Equation: Balancing Immersive Events and Environmental Impact

April 18, 2024

Rodney Hart

Rodney Hart is the vice president of events at RainFocus, defining the company’s event portfolio while showcasing the power of the RainFocus event platform. He is focused on using event data to comprehensively measure event ROI across event types and specific event behaviors. Previously, Hart worked at Dell Technologies optimizing the onsite tech stack of in-person enterprise events of over 15,000 attendees and most recently pivoted to build large-scale digital and hybrid experiences.

Events are a critical part of the corporate ecosystem, and especially the marketing ecosystem. However, as valuable as events are for forming long-term business partnerships and ensuring loyal customers are provided with a unique experience, there are considerations to be made around environmental impact.

On average, event attendees produce over four pounds of waste per day. While event professionals have taken the right steps to reduce their environmental impact, there’s still progress to be made.

While some factors, such as carbon emissions from travel, are difficult to control, there are ways event professionals can mitigate environmental impact — beyond the simple steps of going paperless or giving reusable water bottles as swag while still delivering top-notch experiences.

The industry has the opportunity to do more than eliminate single-use plastics and use digital agendas. Instead, identify new ways to leverage emerging technologies and work with the community around them to help events take a greener approach.

Leveraging Tech

Generative AI is top-of-mind for event professionals. While this technology has its share of environmental impact concerns, AI-powered solutions are inescapable in today’s enterprise. Given its prevalence, teams should look into how the technology can be leveraged to boost sustainability efforts.

AI-powered solutions can be used to assist in reporting on environmental impact. Tools like Gemini or ChatGPT can analyze event data to calculate how small decisions add up to the event’s overall impact, providing decision makers with data to better inform areas of improvement. Certain event technology tools might also have the capability to measure and report on this. Even if sustainability isn’t the event’s primary goal, measuring it is a necessary step to understanding what’s driving environmental impact and how to make adjustments accordingly.

For example, event professionals assume that going paperless reduces significant waste, but they may be overlooking how materials, such as swag items (water bottles, notebooks, etc.), are driving waste instead. AI can support more intentional swag initiatives by using tools to calculate the amount of waste for each item and pairing it with attendee feedback. With a better understanding of waste and what your attendees want at an event, teams can opt for fewer, higher-quality swag items that can reduce overall budget and environmental impact.

Reduce and Reuse

Another opportunity for improved event sustainability is around event designs. With the overall increase in in-person events, teams should start to think of ways to repurpose designs from one event to another. Swag is the perfect way to do this.

Many times, swag items are clearly marked with that particular event’s emblem and year. Instead, teams can make the conscious decision to strategically brand swag items in a way that’s not limited to one individual conference. This can minimize any potential waste from purchasing swag in large quantities. Designing evergreen booth setups and signage are other ways for design elements to be repurposed across multiple events.

Finding the Right Partners

In addition to leveraging AI-powered tools and designing evergreen event elements, it’s important for event organizers to work with partners who take sustainability seriously.

Designing event elements that can be reused isn’t possible without the right partners. Event professionals need to find the right event builders with experience in reusing materials and minimizing waste.

The venue you choose plays a significant role, too. It’s important to understand the venue’s sustainability programs to help you maximize local impact while also reducing additional work to create one-off programs in the event’s host city. For example, as much as you work to plan for maintaining a fair ratio of food-to-attendees without having too much excess, there might still be leftovers. Check with the venue to see if they can work with a local food bank or shelter to share back to the community.

Additionally, after the event concludes, leaders can set up volunteer programs for local clean-up efforts to ensure that attendees are leaving the space greener than when they arrived. These can be built into the schedule as networking events that also work to serve the community, especially considering the sizable impact events on local ecosystems.

Consider Hybrid Options

Events were built on the foundation of in-person connection. However, in recent years we’ve seen the rise of hybrid and virtual events. Offering a virtual component to a conference not only provides an environmentally friendly option but also promotes an inclusive event. Virtual event programs can solve the problem of extending the reach of the event with a minimal increase to the event’s environmental impact. These programs can take place before, during or after the event with a focus on still providing a meaningful event experience.

Emerging technologies, reducing and reusing, leveraging local partnerships and the rise of hybrid events provides an opportunity to assess and reformat events with sustainability in mind. Committing to greener events doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the unique interpersonal connections that the event provides – it simply means that event marketers need to get creative in how they engage with audiences. Through small changes and thoughtful commitments to sustainability, event marketers are able to create immersive and engaging event experiences while still offsetting waste.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!

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Women at the Helm: Amy Calvert, President & CEO, Events Industry Council

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:15:41 +0000

Women at the Helm: Amy Calvert, President & CEO, Events Industry Council

April 18, 2024

Lisa Plummer Savas

Ask Amy Calvert about her path to the C-suite, and she will share a common thread that has persisted throughout her professional journey: a steadfast love and respect for the human connections that business events can foster.

Calvert started her career in the hospitality sector, gaining experience working for the InterContinental Hotels Group and Loews before transitioning into the destination marketing world, serving in various leadership positions on the Visit Baltimore sales and services team for more than 15 years before taking the helm of the Events Industry Council (EIC) as its president and CEO in April 2019.

“It’s such an honor to now lead a global federation with members from every sector of the global business events industry, all connected around a shared vision of events as a catalyst for growth, advancement and positive change in support of our global society and most specifically, our workforce,” Calvert said.

A strong advocate for equitable, sustainable and responsible practices in the global business events industry and the communities it serves, Calvert works to support EIC’s mission to support the industry through advocacy, research, professional standards and recognition. Additionally, she provides strategic oversight for EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programs, the EIC Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact, the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Commission, EIC Global Awards and Hall of Leaders.

We enjoyed sitting down with Calvert to hear about her first five years at EIC, how and why sustainability became a major focus for the organization and why female industry leaders are and will continue to be key in moving the sustainability needle forward.

You have served the Events Industry Council as CEO for five years now. What has leading the organization been like for you and what accomplishments are you most proud of?

It has been an extraordinary five years. A year into my role, the COVID pandemic arrived, and our $1.6 trillion industry was completely disrupted. Our Board had just completed a Vision exercise in the fall of 2019. Thankfully, we had this to anchor to as we began to navigate our role in supporting our sector and our people. Going through something of this magnitude reinforced to our leadership and members the relevance of our organization’s true purpose and ability to impact in a way that proved our relevance.

Our volunteer leaders came together through what we deemed a ‘collective consciousness’ to listen, learn, adapt and provide incredibly valuable resources and a forum for global collaboration. It was a reminder of the essence of what we do and why what we do matters so deeply. Being able to bear witness to this incredible act of generosity was a gift that I will also look back on with gratitude.

Now, we must continue to reflect on the learnings from this time to ensure we do not fall back into routines and patterns that no longer serve us well. While demand and performance remain strong compared to our industry’s high-water mark in 2019, we recognize the need to turn our vision into action and focus on building up those fierce learnings. Leading EIC during this time has been a profound honor, and I am so fortunate to have the support of an incredible Board of Directors, as well as an extraordinary group of volunteer leaders who all give so much to the organization and our shared industry.

When and why did sustainability become an important focus for EIC, and what kind of role have you played in that evolution?

It is always so interesting to me to look back on this particular journey for EIC, and it is important to acknowledge the significant contribution of so many thought leaders who continue to lead and model the way for our industry. Thanks to many incredibly inspired volunteer leaders and team members, we have been leading and evolving here for many years.

We released our first Green Meetings Task Force Report in 2004, and it was the first of its kind for the meetings industry, providing specific guidance and best practices for suppliers and planners seeking to create more sustainable events. In 2016, the Green Meeting Industry Council evolved into what is now our EIC Centre of Sustainability and Social Impact.

The Centre, with the support of the Sustainability and Social Impact Committee, has led the way for our industry in terms of providing valuable resources and standards for sustainable events and planning, including the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) and the Sustainable Event Standards. These have become the incredibly important professional development resources, offering a framework for collaboration and a standard worldwide for sustainability and regenerative practices aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). We hope these resources and the engagement around them will build ambition and serve as a catalyst for change.

It appears that many of the leading experts and proponents of event sustainability are female – do you believe this to be true and if so, why do you think that is?

Studies continue to support that women are often more significantly impacted by issues facing our environment, particularly in areas where large portions of the population are living in marginalized communities that are under-served and at-risk. So, it is extremely important that we lend our voice with urgency to solving the most pressing challenges facing our global society.

We believe our sector is uniquely positioned to be a force for good in the world. As women rise into leadership roles in any sector, I believe we will continue to see an alignment of strategic priorities to values and purpose. In the events industry specifically, where the integration of sustainable, regenerative and inclusive practices is gaining prominence, female professionals bring a multifaceted perspective that emphasizes not only economic viability but also social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

When it comes to sustainability, where do you envision the trade show, meetings and events industry in five years?

Sustainability in trade shows and global business events is poised to undergo significant evolution, driven by an increasing awareness of environmental responsibility and a growing demand for sustainable, regenerative and inclusive practices. As businesses and consumers alike prioritize eco-conscious and socially just choices, event organizers will be compelled to integrate these values-based experience and actions into every aspect of event planning and execution. This shift will encompass various facets, including venue selection based on environmental criteria, adoption of renewable energy sources, reduction of waste through recycling and composting initiatives and incredibly meaningful community impact efforts and much more.

I’d like to see us all work together to think of this as a holistic journey we take together through a collaborative effort, to be motivated by beginning to take meaningful action without feeling responsible for solving for everything at one time alone.

What does sustainability mean to you personally?

I am incredibly honored and grateful to be in a position to help champion our sector’s values and priorities for the greater good. The most important thing for all of us to remember — and something that I try to practice daily — is the notion that each of us can live our values and lead from where we are and that often it is the daily intentions, rather than the grand gestures, of one person that can shift the course of another’s life for the better. We all have tremendous capacity to have influence when we believe in our hearts that to be true.

We indeed live in a fractured world and therefore we need more effort to engage in ways that help break down barriers, foster greater empathy and understanding and have the ambition to really drive change. Events can be an accelerator for those connections and actions. We know this discussion is more than the idea of reducing one’s carbon footprint. While that is of course a significant and important target, it’s truly about a shift in one’s mindset to leave this world in a better place than we found it.

Know a dynamic female event industry leader who deserves some time in the spotlight? Please reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.

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SISO Recap: 13 Takeaways From The 2024 CEO Summit

dtormohlen@tsnn.com — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:02:34 +0000

SISO Recap: 13 Takeaways From The 2024 CEO Summit

April 17, 2024

Danica Tormohlen

More than 300 independent trade show executives, suppliers and industry media convened April 1-4 for the 2024 Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) CEO Summit at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Amelia Island, Fla. The pre-registered attendance was the highest ever for this event, said SISO CEO Vincent Polito. The previous attendance record was set in 2019 when 295 industry leaders gathered in April at The Sanctuary in Kiawah Island, SC.

SISO welcomed 35 first-time attendees, said Clarion Events CEO Lisa Hannant, who is serving as this year’s SISO chair after Arc CEO Americas Mary Larkin completed her one-year term and moves to the SISO immediate past chair role.

The three-day event offered content on a wide variety of topics, from a global economic forecast and the impact of AI to exclusive exhibitor research and a case study on sustainability.

As in years past, the attendee and speaker list featured a who’s who of industry leaders (see who attended in 2024 here). The Informa Connect team — which publishes Trade Show News Network, BizBash, Corporate Event News, Meetingsnet and Exhibitor News Now — was also onsite for this annual meeting of C-level executives.

Among the many educational sessions held at the conference was an underlying focus on the state of the exhibitions industry as the second quarter of 2024 begins. Here are 13 takeaways we noted during the event.

1. New speakers to the SISO stage: This year’s SISO CEO Summit featured a number of new speakers, including a few from outside the industry, to spark ideas and share best practices. For example, BravoCon Executive Producer Deirdre Connolly (pictured in the middle) said, when fostering fandom, it’s not all about revenue for the TV Network.

2. Economic outlook: “American consumer spending is almost reckless, but it’s good for the economy,” said Sage Policy Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Anirban Basu (above), who has spoken at the SISO CEO Summit previously.

3. What exhibitors want most from trade shows: Face-to-face interactions and delivering hands-on experiences, said mdg President and Chief Marketing Strategist Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes (left) and Freeman SVP Strategy Ken Holsinger (right). A link to the full report can be found here. Stay tuned for our analysis of the report.

4. Memorable moment: SISO Immediate Past Chair Cassandra Farrington, founder of MJBizCon that sold Emerald for $120 million, presented Informa Markets President Nancy Walsh (above) with the Krakoff Award. Walsh is only the second female to win the only annual award that SISO presents. A list of previous Krakoff award winners is available here.

5. Unexpected (and funny) theme from male speakers: Who did or did not have girlfriends in high school.

6. When to invest: Look for hustlers. You invest in people, not companies, said Fintech & Events Entrepreneur Jonathan Weiner (right) during a fireside chat with Polito (left).

7. New revenue idea: Create a curated marketplace for attendees with exhibitor products through Amazon’s affiliate program, which is especially applicable to consumer events, said Fast Forward Events Partner Michelle Metter (second from left on the stage) during the CEO Panel.

8. Ideas to steal from the NBA: Drop content and merch that’s only available at the event. Spend your time and resources on the top three high-heat moments at your event, advised NBA SVP, Head of Global Event Strategy & Development Joseph Graziano III.

9. Content-driven play: Use data from content engagement to listen to what event communities want, suggested Questex CEO Paul Miller (second from the left).

10. Good to know: Lean into experience but don’t get trapped by it, said Fanatics Events CEO Lance Fensterman (above).

11. AI transformation: Sooner is better when it comes to using AI, said 2toLead CTO Richard Harbridge (above). Only 26% are investing in AI adoption. 2025 will be the year of functional agents.

12. Words of warning: “ChatGPT is like your wide-open drunk friend,” said on the stage during an AI workshop (above).

13. What’s next: Small language models (SLMs) vs. large language models (LLMs), said Informa Markets SVP Technology Transformation Yarrow Diamond.

The 2025 SISO CEO Summit will be held at Omni Barton Creek in Austin.

Looking ahead

The 2024 SISO Leadership Conference will be held Aug. 13-15 in Philadelphia. The next SISO CEO Summit will be held March 31-April 3, 2025, at the Omni Barton Creek in Austin.

Looking back

Want to see more photos from the SISO CEO Summit 2024? View the photo gallery here. Check out our coverage from last year’s event: SISO's 2023 CEO Summit Addresses Key Issues in a New Era for the Events Industry

Photos by Coleman Photography LLC for SISO

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How Attending Environmentally-Focused Events Can Inspire Sustainable Event Planning

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:51:31 +0000

How Attending Environmentally-Focused Events Can Inspire Sustainable Event Planning

April 16, 2024

Mike Szczesny

Mike Szczesny is the owner and vice president of EDCO Awards & Specialties, a dedicated supplier of employee recognition products such as crystal awards, branded merchandise and athletic awards. Szczesny takes pride in EDCO’s ability to help companies go the extra mile in expressing gratitude and appreciation to their employees.

As we all navigate the shifting scientific studies, expectations and regulations around business and sustainability, environmentally-focused events stand out as lighthouses of innovation and green practices.

What are environmentally-focused events? These are trade shows, exhibitions and conferences that aren’t just events. They’re opportunities. They’re your chance to dive into the world of sustainable events to learn, connect and come away inspired. Let’s walk through the highlights of these events and discover how you can bring their insights into your work.

1. Discover Renewable Energy Showcases

Known for its musical acts as much as its commitment to sustainability, Glastonbury Festival has utilized solar panels, wind turbines and biofuels to power its performances, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Imagine walking through a showcase filled with the latest in clean energy technologies. These are innovations that can power our future, and they’re here, right now, for you to explore.

What You Can Do: Next time you’re planning an event, seek out venues that utilize alternative, renewable energy sources.

2. Dive Into Sustainable Development Forums

At these events, the focus is on how we can all contribute to a more sustainable world, from reducing waste to optimizing energy use. These forums offer a broad perspective on what sustainability really means. Green conferences like the Greenbuild International Conference are ideal to help you stay abreast of the latest in sustainable development.

What You Can Do: Pick one sustainable practice you’ve learned from these forums and apply it to your next project. Even small changes, like reducing waste or improving energy efficiency, can make a big difference.

3. Explore Technological Innovations

Innovation is at the heart of environmentally-focused events. It’s not just about what’s new, it’s about what’s next and how these emerging technologies can help us live and work more sustainably.

What You Can Do: Keep an open mind about new technologies. Can any of the innovations you’ve seen be adapted to your business or your next event to help it run more cleanly and efficiently?

4. Engage in Policy Discussions

The conversations around energy policies at these events can arm you with the knowledge you need to navigate the complex world of sustainability regulation and advocacy.

What You Can Do: Leverage the knowledge gained from these discussions to ensure your events are not only sustainable but also in compliance with current energy policies and regulations. This can also inform your advocacy for more sustainable industry standards.

5. Seize Networking Opportunities

The connections you can make at these events are invaluable. You’ll meet people who are as passionate about sustainability as you are, and who knows? You might just find your next business partner or collaborator.

What You Can Do: Don’t be shy! Reach out, share your ideas and see how you can work together with others to make your sustainability visions a reality.

6. Benefit from Educational Sessions

The workshops and seminars on offer can be a goldmine of practical knowledge. They can teach you how to implement sustainable solutions in ways that are both effective and innovative.

What You Can Do: Try to bring at least one new idea you’ve learned back to your team. Whether it’s a novel way to save energy or a strategy to engage your community in sustainability, every bit of knowledge helps.

7. Find Inspiration and Motivation

Above all, these events remind us that striving for sustainability can spark creativity and drive innovation in our businesses and events.

What You Can Do: Let the stories of success and innovation you hear inspire you. Think about how you can integrate sustainability into your work, not just as a checklist item, but as a core part of your approach to business and event planning.

Environmentally-focused events are more than just gatherings – they’re a catalyst for change in our industries and in the way we think about business. By taking part and applying what we learn, we can all contribute to a more sustainable, innovative future. Let’s get inspired and make sustainability a cornerstone of our work!

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March Trade Shows Tout Promising Growth, Robust Participation

lpsavas@tsnn.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:47:21 +0000

March Trade Shows Tout Promising Growth, Robust Participation

April 16, 2024

Lisa Plummer Savas

Three major U.S. trade shows reported successful – and in two cases, growing – editions in Las Vegas, Orlando and Philadelphia last month. Take a look at our roundup of major U.S. trade shows held in March.

The NGA Show

Who, When & Where: The NGA Show, March 10-12, Caesars Forum Convention Center

Key metrics: 3,600 grocery retail industry professionals (a new attendance record), 350+ exhibitors and sponsors, spanning 55,725 square feet.

Looking Back: The exhibit hall grew substantially from the prior year, which saw 290 exhibiting companies and more than 45,000 sq. ft.

Best new features and products: The sold-out exhibit hall showcased products and services from store design to innovative food products – with support from several large food wholesalers and distributors. The VIP Experience meeting program enabled retailers, wholesalers and service providers to schedule meetings both in-booth and in provided networking zones. Nearly 50 education sessions took place throughout the event on topics including BIPOC independent grocers, labor issues, food as medicine, connecting with Gen Z, role of AI in marketing and more.

Beyond the show floor: The event kicked off with the popular Technology Summit and Financial Symposium led by industry experts as well as a session honoring NGA’s Creative Choice Awards for excellence in marketing and merchandising. Delivering an enthusiastic kickoff to the show, celebrity chef Carla Hall, entrepreneur, author and Food Network star presented the opening keynote address.

What they are saying: “The NGA Show is truly the place where grocers gather – and gather they did, in record numbers,” said Jaime Reesby, vice president for generation and grocery at Clarion Events. “Working closely with NGA and its members, we continue to enhance our offerings, from education to networking, to help grocers navigate today’s competitive environment. Initial responses have been glowing and we look forward to continuing to meet and exceed those expectations.”

Looking ahead: NGA Show 2025 will return Feb. 23-25 to CAESARS Forum.

HIMSS

Who, When & Where: 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, March 11-15, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.

Key metrics: The event attracted 26,800 healthcare technology professionals and 971 exhibitors across 440,066 sq. ft.

Looking Back: In 2023, HIMSS drew in 33,329 attendees and 1,103 exhibitors spanning 449,050 sq. ft.

Best new features and products: Alongside cybersecurity, robotics, interoperability, policy and many more global health topics shaping healthcare, generative AI solutions took center stage at HIMSS23, with multiple technology companies debuting AI-backed software aimed at creating better workflows and experiences in a clinical environment. A Global Policy Leaders’ Summit and panels featured government agencies, global Ministers of Health and other leading policymakers discussing AI in healthcare and the challenges of balancing cybersecurity and patient privacy issues while also improving digital health information exchange.

Beyond the show floor: This year’s conference marked a watershed moment for HIMSS, with the passing of the HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition stewardship to Informa Markets, and for the first time this year, the conference featured a hosted buyer program for providers.

What they are saying: “We are delighted by the continued growth and influence of the HIMSS Global Health Conference and our successful partnership with Informa to improve and expand the event,” said Hal Wolf, HIMSS president and CEO. “HIMSS24 brought together all aspects of the healthcare world, including C-Suite executives, healthcare IT developers, nurses, researchers, government officials and many more to harness a new era of information and technology and to shape the future of health together.”

Looking ahead: HIMSS24 European Health Conference & Exhibition is slated for May 29-31 in Rome, Italy, and HIMSS25 will take place March 3-6 at The Venetian Resort & Expo, CAESARS Forum and Wynn Las Vegas.

PACK EXPO East

Who, When & Where: PACK EXPO East, March 18-20, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia.

Key metrics: As its largest show to date, PACK EXPO attracted 7,977 attendees and 503 exhibitors across 119,085 sq. ft.

Looking Back: In 2022, the event drew in 6,615 attendees and 403 exhibitors spanning 94,510 sq. ft.

Best new features and products: As the premiere regional show for consumer packaging and processing companies, PACK EXPO East’s show floor showcased the latest innovations and solutions, including machinery and equipment, used by markets including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial and agricultural chemical, personal care and cosmetics.

Beyond the show floor: In addition to the technology on the show floor, PACK EXPO East offered educational opportunities with the Innovation Stage and Industry Speaks. Attendees also had the chance to connect with their peers at the Taste of Philly opening reception and the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network and Young Professionals Network receptions.

What they are saying: “PACK EXPO East’s continued growth has solidified its place as a vital event for packaging and processing professionals in the region,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, which owns and produces the show. “While we celebrate this growth, our focus remains on delivering the high-quality experience our shows are known for. This includes offering solutions for more than 40 markets and tailoring experiences to meet the needs of the industry.”

Looking ahead: PACK EXPO International 2024 will take place Nov. 3-6 at McCormick Place in Chicago, while PACK EXPO East will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center Feb. 17-19, 2026.

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