Blogs
Jun 22, 2017
Coordinating trade shows and exhibitions come with their fair share of challenges and one of them is how to best engage attendees.
Did you know that messaging apps are used on average nine times a day, compared to 1.9 times a day for all other apps? Text messaging and mobile apps can be used to communicate information to attendees to increase the success of your event.
Text messages that inform attendees about events or remind them to check out an exhibit they expressed an interest in, as well as those that conduct polls, contests and Q&A’s, can all improve attendee satisfaction.
Here are… more
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Jun 19, 2017
From big trades to trivial activities such as grocery shopping, technology has made its way into our daily lives and it’s here to stay. One such field that has embraced the technological revolution is event planning.
Technology has changed the way events are planned, executed and managed. The past decade has seen multiple innovations, some bordering on brilliant that have completely transformed, and in a way, simplified the way we execute events and how attendees see them.
Here are five ways technology has transformed event planning.
1. Event Automation
Event… more
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Jun 16, 2017
Trade show managers are always searching for the latest marketing trends to drive their booth’s attendance. Social media participation is key for any large event, enabling trade show goers to stay more engaged with instant updates on floor activities, educational opportunities and speaker sessions.
Every exhibitor wants to have some sort of social engagement during a show and smart trade show marketers are taking advantage of a wide range of social media strategies to broadcast their message to more people than ever before.
So, if you want to get a larger audience at your booth,… more
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Jun 12, 2017
Whether directional, advertising or general information, signage is a vital component of tradeshows providing necessary information to participants. Often, it is also one of the least environmentally friendly aspects of events and tradeshows. While it may not possible to do away with this form of communication, it’s environmental impact can be minimized by reducing, rethinking, recycling and reuse.
As large tradeshows and events become more sustainable, we are learning valuable lessons from their challenges and solutions. These three examples show how creative thinking and attention to detail… more
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Jun 09, 2017
On your post-event survey, are you asking attendees if this is their first time attending your event?
Anecdotally, I can tell you that 70-80 percent of event organizers we speak with ask their attendees this question. And it makes sense: the keys to growing your event are based on your ability to attract new attendees while retaining your current customer base.
If an attendee doesn’t return to the event the following year, or ever, is it really a lost opportunity?
Did they have a poor onsite experience?
or
Did they leave their company – maybe the industry all-together?
There are… more
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Jun 07, 2017
Throughout the registration process of an event, show management has the opportunity to collect an incredible amount of data about their show’s attendees. This data – registration and attendance patterns, demographics, region and registration classification – is a rich source of information.
Taking data and making it work for you is about more than just capturing information. Data needs to be analyzed and used to produce a successful event.
With so much data available, making decisions about what to do with it can be a daunting challenge. Where do you begin?
Before you can create… more
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Jun 01, 2017
I was recently reading a trade show industry blog and one of my pet peeves jumped out and grabbed me. My blood pressure immediately shot up. It was an article on how an exhibitor enticed attendees to drop off their business cards in a bucket at their exhibit to win a TV and how wonderful it was to get so many more trade show leads. The only problem is, the cards – that they called “leads” – had no known connection whatsoever with the card owner having any interest at all in their product.
I hate to be the one to break the bad news to the exhibitors who do this, but what… more
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May 30, 2017
Organizers are constantly looking for any edge to grow their shows. But those who plan and consider the Second-Year Quotient can experience a big difference – both to the bottom line and attendee satisfaction. “2YQ” can be strategic planning factor that is based on the likelihood first-time attendees will return to the same event in the future.
Driving return attendance is a hot button issue for event organizers and it has a lot to do with a
first-timer having a good experience. There are many ways to ensure first-timers have a good
experience and your event technology can be a major… more
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May 25, 2017
Each time you sell your products at a trade show display, you put in a lot of effort, time and money. It is, therefore, paramount to find all ways of maximizing that investment.
Your primary objective should be on how to create an attention that will remain even after the show, no matter how small your budget might be.
Custom trade show displays do not have to be very expensive, but they have to be creative, smart and memorable. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure that you have an affordable and fruitful custom trade show display.
Use Simple Lighting System
Illumination is usually… more
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May 23, 2017
Most of us have heard a variation of this question at some point in our lives: if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do the same?
The point of this rhetorical question was meant to drive home the concept of exploring your own path rather than following in the footsteps of others. It was great advice but as marketers, many of us find ourselves following the industry pack and landing on the hard ground of unoriginality.
Best practices exist for a reason. They lay the foundation and give marketers a solid starting point. But we live in an increasingly competitive age where consumers… 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