CEIR Releases Second and Third Fact Sheet in Attendee ROI Playbook Series

August 9, 2018

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released its second and third fact sheets in its 2018 Attendee ROI Playbook series, a multiple fact sheet series that identifies general attendee practices and insights on differences by specific attendee categories.

Released late last month, “Fact Sheet Two: B2B Exhibitions Top-Ranked for Value in Meeting Business Information & Purchasing Decision Needs” explores the range of sources that business professionals who attend B2B exhibitions relied upon to meet their business information and purchasing decision needs in comparison to other primary sources relied upon.

CEIR

“This research documents the power of face-to-face marketing,” explained Nancy Drapeau, CEIR senior research director. 

She continued, “When asked to rank the order of information sources used primarily to meet their business information and purchasing decision needs, B2B exhibitions and communications with vendors and suppliers are tied for number one ranking.”

Drapeau added that when looking at the percentage of professionals that rate B2B exhibitions as number one or number two, B2B exhibitions break away and prevail as the most valued information source – 57 percent versus 41 percent for communications with vendors and suppliers. 

“Today we live in trust-challenged times where digital media gives professionals access to more information than ever,” said Cathy Breden CEO of CEIR. 

She continued, “This research reveals that business professionals look to resources they trust to determine what is real and what is fake. B2B exhibitions rise to the top in helping them achieve this.” 

In addition to B2B exhibitions, the report identifies five additional information sources B2B exhibition attendees primarily relied upon to meet their business information and purchasing decision needs, and reports the ranking and results of these sources in order of value. 

Released earlier this week, “Fact Sheet Three: Pre-Planning and Tracking Activities – Impact on Perceived ROI/Value of Attending,” documents the positive effects pre-event planning and tracking activities have on an attendee’s opinion of a B2B exhibition they attend. 

“This study evaluates the impact these activities have on attendee Net Promoter Scores (NPS), which measure customer loyalty and indicate a brand’s growth potential,” Drapeau explained. 

She continued, “Findings reveal that those who engage in pre-planning have a higher NPS (55 percent) compared to those who do not (29 percent). The same pattern is evidenced for attendees who engage in tracking activities while visiting an exhibition.”

This five-page report provides the following:

  • Overall rate of pre-planning among attendees as well as for six specific activities
  • Which pre-planning activities have the most impact on driving higher NPS scores
  • Overall rate of tracking activities while visiting an exhibition among attendees as well as for nine specific activities
  • Which tracking activities have the most impact on driving higher NPS scores
  • Who decides which activities will be tracked (individual or whether boss is involved)

“Giving registrants the tools via an event’s website to pre-plan and focus their objectives for attending are worthwhile,” Breden said. “Providing user-friendly ways to track their activities through an event website, mobile app and other relevant tools preferred by attendees also maximize attendee value – and ultimate satisfaction – with an event.”

She added, “Thanks to support provided by the PCMA Education Foundation, CEIR is able to explore various ways in doing so through this study. CEIR thanks the Foundation for supporting our efforts in providing this vital research to our industry.”

Along with the PCMA Education Foundation, IAEE was also a sponsor of the 2018 Attendee ROI Playbook. As a result, all reports released in this series, including “Fact Sheet One: Decision to Attend and Factors Driving Attendee ROI/Value” can be obtained free of charge HERE.

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.