Blogs

Dec 07, 2013
The end of the year is always a time for reflection. For many of us, it involves closing out a fiscal year, transitioning from a brutal work schedule to a hectic holiday schedule and hopefully some time to think about your business and what you need to do to stay relevant and competitive. Change has historically come slow to the tradeshow business. Real slow. Like watching ice melt kind of slow. Opportunity and business conditions have warranted that the industry step-up and evolve, and it has responded impressively. However, we must continue to innovate and manage our businesses at a… more
Nov 30, 2013
Some people believe they aren’t creative, not innovative and weren’t born with the “creative gene.” What happens if I wasn’t born with it? How can I become more innovative in my personal and professional life? Fortunately, there are some great tips out there we can all benefit from, and, yes, they came from Google. However, instead of Google.com, they came from a senior leader at Google. In a summit about innovation for IT leaders, I had the chance to meet a senior leader from the innovation team at Google, Emily Ma. Emily spent her entire career focused on… more
Nov 30, 2013
In the last 10 years or so there have been fundamental technological and economic changes that have rewritten the trade show rule book. Not rules like how close to the aisle your exhibit structure can be or how loud your music can play, but rules about what it takes to succeed on the showfloor. Some changes evolved slowly over the years, and some were wrenched into place almost at once. Here’s what’s changed – and how you can adapt to those changes: 1. More Uncertainty: Economic uncertainty has lasted for years, and shows little signs of going away. This makes your top… more
Nov 24, 2013
This year, we’ve seen mobile event apps transition from a “nice-to-have” offering at trade shows into an expected, integrated part of the event experience. Attendees are generally glued to their smartphones, and smart event organizers are leveraging that mobile addiction to make a truly impactful event experience. But for the event applications to make a maximum impact, attendees need to be aware of the app, download it and use them. So, app promotion is perhaps the most critical step. Here are some tips to boost event app adoption that we’ve learned from experience… more
Nov 24, 2013
When there is a 5,835 pound gorilla in the room, what do you do? Remember on Seinfeld when George knocked the clown over running out of a room that caught fire? That’s pretty much what I’d be doing … That happens to be the same reaction you get from many show organizers, exhibitors, facilities, and yes … even service contractors, when there is a pile of old exhibit signage, banners and panels from past shows that aren’t being used any more. That’s not the case at IMEX America. IMEX chooses to face the gorilla down. At the close of the show, just when… more
Nov 16, 2013
Tradeshows have undergone more changes during the past five years than in the preceding 100. The changes are due mainly to a fast-growing array of new technologies and tools, but also to changes in expectations and how people find information. As John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid tell us, “The way forward is paradoxically to look not ahead, but to look around.” Event planners have the daunting task of staying current on new and emerging trends and always-shifting strategies to meet customer preferences. Looking into our crystal ball, here are some thoughts from Tim… more
Nov 16, 2013
Ah, Google, our benevolent overlords.  I say that tongue in cheek, but Google has a good handle on how we are working, and connecting in our digital space.  Your event attendees will first connect with you online, and Google has some great tools that can help with your online content management. Google +:  If you have not done so, get on Google + and set up an account.  This allows you, when you post content to Google+, access to the largest search engine on the planet.  You also want to add your colleagues and friends to your ‘circle’, so they will see… more
Nov 09, 2013
There is a lot going on in Boston as one would expect. Lots of cool and innovative development, great restaurants everywhere, an amazing civic pride and spirit, that baseball team of theirs that just won the World Series … All good. There also is Jim Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, who is kind of a force unto himself when it comes to tradeshows.  Jim is one passionate guy.  A native and proud Bostonian, and former chief-of-staff to the mayor, Jim has been running MCCA since 2003 and doing an excellent job. Jim has a whole… more
Nov 02, 2013
You may be surprised at the Booth Staffers Behaving Badly that goes on at trade shows.  Or, maybe not, since you’ve had to endure it yourself; staffers so bad they were actually dragging down your corporate image, losing more business than they brought in. Unfortunately, there always have been, and always will be bad booth staffers.  Here’s a rogue’s gallery of unprofessional perpetrators: 1. The Networker:  The Networker spends most of his booth staff shift talking, but instead of having concise conversations with clients and prospects, he whiles away the… more
Oct 25, 2013
Nervous that perhaps your trade show program suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder? Well, it’s certainly possible. Usually it’s sales and marketing people like us who manage our companies’ trade shows, and we’re notorious for having more than a touch of A.D.D. Marketing people need that endless curiosity that sparks creative marketing ideas, and sales people are known for doing whatever it takes to get the sale – and then going on to the next sale before all the details are nailed down on the first one. However, A.D.D creates a distinct downside to your trade… 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