Experts & Opinions
Dec 08, 2022
In an atmosphere when people are pressured by time and money to ensure they invest in being at an event that delivers the ROI they want to see – do you know what your event’s Unique Value Proposition is? Do you have it clearly defined?
Now more than ever, it’s critical that your teams, especially sales and marketing, are able to articulate exactly why someone needs to the spend dollars to be on your show’s exhibit floor or attend the event overall.
Inc. Magazine describes a UVP as: “A unique value proposition (UVP), or unique selling proposition (USP), is a concise, straight-to-the-point… more
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Dec 07, 2022
A lingering pandemic in China and elsewhere. War in Europe. Inflation rates not seen in a generation in major markets. Droughts, hurricanes and record temperatures. It’s certainly not “business as usual” as we write the closing chapter for 2022. And 2023? Not all will be black and white, and economists are using endless types of grey in their outlooks for the next year.
What will this mean for our industry? As with every year, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) team has been listening and chatting with our members and industry leaders from all around the world to get… more
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Nov 30, 2022
After two and a half years of constant adaptation for ever-changing needs in the world of events, it seems we are settling into the “new normal.” We’re thrilled to be working with clients to create meaningful events that celebrate being together again, and it’s inspiring to see the dedication to excellence within our industry.
This new normal also brings changes to contract negotiations for meeting and event professionals on both sides of the table. Where planners used to be most concerned about food and beverage minimums and room rates, now risk, impossibility and cancellation clauses… more
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Nov 23, 2022
What started as an app to share videos of friends and family dancing and lip-syncing to popular songs and other mediums has quickly become an all-in-one app for trending news, tutorials and connecting with brands in new and interesting ways. The social media platform is a great example of how communication and marketing have changed in just a few short years, especially as more users spend time on the app. According to a Data.AI study, TikTok is expected to reach 1.5 billion monthly active users by the end of this year.
Some marketers have taken notice. According to a Hootsuite… more
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Nov 16, 2022
People are returning to the trade show floor—in person, that is. There is a certain excitement that gets lost when attendees cannot touch, feel or physically interact with brands, so it’s no wonder people were ready for the return. The 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and International Builders’ Show brought in 70,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors, making it one of the largest shows to occur since live events went dormant due to COVID-19.
While in-person show attendance is rising, virtual or hybrid can make more sense in some cases. Take a virtual trade show booth. It holds the… more
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Nov 09, 2022
When successfully executed, webinars contribute significantly to demand generation efforts and offer a valuable experience for the audience. More than half of marketers cite webinars as generating the most qualified leads of any content format they use. But to maximize a webinar’s impact on the marketing funnel, event professionals must treat webinars as true events with the same attention to planning, goal-setting and follow-up given to other events.
According to an analysis of business events hosted with Bizzabo’s Event Experience OS, 18% of events are webinars, and 25% of Bizzabo… more
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Nov 02, 2022
With two years of various restrictions, work-from-home conditions and fewer options outside of our homes, we had ample opportunity to reflect on and reassess what it is attendees will most desire when they return to the show floor. At the top of the list is the one space many of us may have taken for granted prior to 2020: the outdoors.
With a renewed gratitude for gorgeous scenery and fresh air, folks are far less inclined to settle for the mundane, florescent, insular and frankly, boring indoor environments of past live events.
Couple this with an unspoken competition with the comfort… more
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Oct 26, 2022
You take the time and spend the money to ensure your business events are interesting, unique and entertaining. But then the unspeakable happens: No one shows up. Fortunately, building a better digital marketing strategy can prevent that from happening again. Whether you want to promote exhibitions, trade shows or other in-person events, videos are a solid marketing strategy to keep in your toolbox. After all, videos have the power to supercharge your digital marketing plan and ensure your event gets the attendance it deserves.
Why Use Video for Marketing Events?
Videos can generate… more
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Oct 19, 2022
On February 12, 2013, Executive Order No. 13636, aptly named “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity,” was signed by President Obama. From this executive order, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was tasked with the development of what has become the granddaddy of cybersecurity frameworks. You won’t find a security professional alive that doesn’t have a love-hate relationship with the NIST framework.
Mention the term “cybersecurity framework” with most business folks, including presidents and CEOs, and you’re likely to see eyes glazing over before long. I get… more
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Oct 12, 2022
As the saying goes, “the only constant in life is change.” The same rings true for trade show organizers.
More than ever, the industry is being challenged to adapt and evolve in what is a new normal, where customer expectations are rapidly evolving, and digital technologies bring the promise of new opportunities. How can we make the most of it?
We believe it comes down to strategy. Get this right, and you’ve made a giant stride.
For example, AMR’s new Exhibitions 3.0 Framework is making organizers rethink, putting customers genuinely at the heart of their business. As an extension of… more
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.