Experts & Opinions
Oct 07, 2016
As someone who grew up in the 60s and 70s, I consumed a lot of sugar. I mean A LOT. Kool-Aid, popsicles, Shasta pop, ice cream, breakfast cereal, and every Hostess snack from Twinkies to Ding Dongs (perhaps the best product name ever!). Sugar and salt (S&S) balanced an endless dinner-time diet of casseroles and salads with mayonnaise. It was a great childhood.
The sugar feeding frenzy wouldn’t have been complete without packaged cookies. My mother called the shots when it came to cookies, which meant she bought store or off-brand cookies most of the time. But occasionally, she would… more
Comments (0)
Oct 01, 2016
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett
What is the price of exhibit space for your show? Pricing is both an art and a science, and in the process one has to take into consideration a variety of factors. First and foremost in developing a pricing strategy is to scope out the competition. Then one has to take into consideration all the factors that go into both the budget for the show and also the budgets of the respective exhibitors.
In the past, I have always been weary of dramatic price increases and have chosen a strategy of incremental increases. With this… more
Comments (0)
Oct 01, 2016
For years, trade show giveaways have been used to foster goodwill and generate leads with potential clients and prospects. However, since giveaways have become commonplace at shows, do they still have the same impact they once did? How can a reboot to your giveaway strategy impact your show presence and fully capitalize on the benefits of exhibiting?
Here are a few things to consider when refreshing your trade show giveaway strategy:
Tell Your Brand Story. A giveaway without a connection to your brand will just get lost in the shuffle. Even the coolest giveaways will fall flat if the attendee… more
Comments (0)
Sep 24, 2016
A few years ago, a veteran sales consultant, who has walked hundreds of trade shows over the years, shared this top 10 list of do’s and don’ts for sales representatives on the trade show floor.
1. Fishbowls that overflow are just a slow “no” waiting to happen.
2. You’ll never make a significant sale selling to “Seemore, the info gatherer.”
3. If your prospect can’t convince you that they have a problem and are committed to fixing it, don’t waste your time at the show or after.
4. Schedule an… more
Comments (0)
Sep 24, 2016
Whether or not your brand has established eco goals or objectives, there’s a lot of value for the planet, for your brand and for your prospects and customers in going green at trade shows. Here are 5 tips and eco-friendly ideas to use at your next trade show.
1. Stand Out with a Full-Color Custom Reusable Bag. Design “THE” bag everyone wants to grab at the show. I have seen this done many times before. If you work with the right people and make use of the many ways that you can use a custom reusable bag for marketing, your brand can offer an eco-friendly “gift” that will work for your… more
Comments (0)
Sep 16, 2016
Hotels and airlines know their repeat customers and recognize them for their loyalty. I’m a million-mile flier and my card says it. Customers like recognition for their commitment to a brand and it makes them feel valued. Do you know your repeat customers, your alumni attendees, and do you demonstrate the fact that you value their loyalty?
Why are your alumni attendees so important to your event? Your alumni are far more than just repeat customers and event attendees. They are your brand ambassadors, biggest supporters, and in many cases their word-of-mouth promotion of your event can be one… more
Comments (0)
Sep 16, 2016
Healthy growth
The U.S. remains the world’s biggest exhibition market, valued at $12.8bn in 2015.
In a year when many of the exhibitions markets experienced a slowdown or decline due to macroeconomic difficulties (e.g. Brazil, Russia, Turkey) or security issues (France), the US outperformed the global exhibitions market and registered a healthy 3.5% year-on-year growth in 2014/15, driven by both price and space sold:
- US booth space prices have increased on par with other mature markets driven by overall macroeconomic recovery and ever increasing… more
Comments (0)
Sep 10, 2016
The hot topic these days is utilizing storytelling for connecting with our audience and prospects. Most of us in the events industry have heard a lot about storytelling, but may not understand the how or the why specifically for sales. Many times, in sales, we tend to take the traditional route of showcasing the features and benefits of a package. That is not always helpful in getting a prospective client to form a strong connection with what we are offering. Let’s take the leap, break the mold and incorporate storytelling in our narrative to sell a bit differently. Here’s why.
The Human Mind… more
Comments (0)
Sep 10, 2016
We live in a world of instant gratification, where consumers want targeted information, and they want it fast.
This trend permeates almost every aspect of our lives. Consider our social media accounts – Facebook displays ads in users’ news feeds based on their recent Google searches, and recommendations on who to follow constantly pop up on Twitter.
We consume personalized content on a daily basis (even if we don’t realize it), so it comes as no surprise that the trend is also coming into play at live events. People increasingly expect the events they attend to include carefully curated… more
Comments (0)
Aug 21, 2016
We are observing an emerging trend with exhibitors. More and more are moving away from having the generic candy dish to serving “real” food and offering beverages to their visitors at the booth. From something as simple as offering a branded bottle of water, coffee or tea, higher end chocolate, sandwiches or even a full sit down meal at some shows in Europe. People get tired and hungry walking a show. Many people travel from distant places to attend, and there are few things that are better when you are jet lagged and tired than free food.
There are some things that while… more
Comments (0)
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