Experts & Opinions
Jan 25, 2015
You’ve just wrapped up your show and it was a huge success: your attendance numbers were up, your attendees gave you positive feedback, several of your exhibitors have already re-signed for next year and your staff is enthused. Now what?
The critical time to start garnering interest for next year’s event is during and immediately following your current event while the enthusiasm is fresh. The key is to create ways to connect with attendees throughout the year to extend the life of the interest generated by the show.
Here are 5 marketing tactics to include in the creation of your successful… more
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Jan 17, 2015
Have you ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”? Just because you saved money, doesn’t mean you got the best deal. For example, if you found a used car for a great price, it could end up costing you more to repair the car than you actually paid for it.
If you are shopping for a new trade show display, the price may be important to you, but should not be the only factor you take into consideration when making your purchase decision. Instead, do your research on several vendors to determine which one will be the best fit for you. Before you decide which trade show booth vendor to… more
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Jan 17, 2015
Trade show sponsorships can be a uniquely effective marketing opportunity for your business. You have the chance to give thousands of prospective customers a personal experience, spread brand awareness through print materials and signage at the show, and even connect with partner brands that can help your customers use your products in new and exciting ways.
But you must have a plan to measure your return on investment, or you’ll never know whether your sponsorship delivered those benefits or if it’s worthwhile to continue. To quote William Edwards Deming, “In God we trust; all others bring… more
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Jan 09, 2015
Trade shows typically only last a few days, but the planning that goes into them takes far longer – in fact, it should begin as far as a year in advance. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do and when.
T-minus 12 months: Look into the trade show options within your industry, then zero in on the one(s) that will best complement your brand's marketing and sales strategy. Research the event(s) – previous exhibitors, attendee demographics, the size of the venue, etc. – then use this information to put together a budget and ROI projection.
T-minus nine months: Establish specific objectives… more
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Jan 09, 2015
I read a tech crunch article recently about Microsoft buying Mojang (makers of Minecraft) for the mere sum of $2.5 billion dollars. If you have a child in the tween age bracket, I don’t need to explain what Minecraft is. This popular video game was founded with the understanding that gamers want to contribute and participate, not simply consume the game. I thought about it and believe there are some parallels that are applicable to the live events industry.
How does this relate to our industry? We’re seeing this same shift with attendees.
Here’s the trend that stuck out to me the most (and… more
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Jan 04, 2015
I always start my New Year’s resolutions early. I feel that getting a jump start on the New Year is a great way to, well, get a jump start on the New Year! Here is a list of things event managers can do now to prepare for 2015.
Check your inventory: The end of the year is a great time to review your inventory of both trade show graphics and items you have in your ‘must take to each show’ stash. Throw away graphics that are old, ratted, or no longer relevant (you are paying for storing those, so do you really need to keep them ‘just in case’?) For that ‘must take… more
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Jan 04, 2015
Going green is a constantly evolving practice. As technologies improve and ideas are spread, there are always new ways to make your next event greener than the last. One of the keys to throwing a green event is surrounding yourself with eco-minded individuals who understand and support the cause. Make sure your green dream team is ready to make 2015 a great year for trade shows with these four ways to green your trade show team in 2015.
1. Get together, make a plan and define some goals. Determine the emissions thresholds or how much energy is acceptable to use… more
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Dec 20, 2014
A recent study by American Express found 90 percent of attendees who own a smartphone specifically use it for business at meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Nearly half of event attendees also own tablets. With smartphone and tablet usage continuing to rise and mobile apps becoming a mainstay at events in all industries, it’s time to take a closer look at how Wi-Fi access at an event facility impacts event apps and the attendee experience.
Wi-Fi Logistics at the Event Facility
Every event facility contains its own set of unique logistics. Is the event located at a hotel… more
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Dec 20, 2014
Shift from cold calls to connect calls. Using this script below you will be able to show your prospects that you understand their pain points.
Following up on leads you gathered at a trade show can be challenging. If you took the time to take notes on your interaction that will make things easier. You’ll know what products they have shown interest and whether they are ready to move forward.
Keeping the notes you made in mind, here are some additional questions that will show your prospects that you have their needs in mind, not yours.
“A lot of time, when I talk to companies like yours… more
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Dec 13, 2014
When I stumbled into the exhibition industry, I didn’t have a mentor to steer me through the inevitable career potholes. After learning from various mistakes and wins, I figured my wealth of knowledge would help steer the next generation of industry leaders.
Here are the eight lessons I learned along the way that are still applicable:
1) Become a Student of Office Politics - No matter how large or small your employer is, there are always internal dynamics that aren’t reflected on an org chart. When you join a new organization, remember to spend some time just observing…. Influencers,… 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