Experts & Opinions
Nov 13, 2019
The event industry has a problem. Thousands of bright-eyed, enthusiastic and talented new staff join our great companies each year and throw themselves into the fast-paced world of event delivery. Then they leave.
Sure, a good number move on to greater things in the same company, but research suggests that the U.S. trade show industry is losing over $1 billion per year down a black hole of mid-level vacancies that really should be filled by developing and retaining the employees they already have.
As staff (and Millennials and Gen Z in particular) pack up their bags to join a competitor or… more
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Nov 12, 2019
Trade shows are the best face-to-face sales and marketing venues in the world. Thousands of current clients and future prospects are gathered in one place, and they’re all focused on industry-wide problems that your company solves. The sales and marketing activity doesn’t have to stop when the show floor closes, however.
Hospitality suites and customer events represent a largely untapped opportunity. Everyone is going to eat dinner, go out for drinks and probably seek some kind of entertainment – why shouldn’t your best clients and prospects do that with your sales team?
Whether you’re… more
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Nov 07, 2019
Since 2014, the Urgent Care Association of America manages over 1,200 exhibiting companies for their annual UCAOA Urgent Care Convention & Expo. I had the chance to sit down with Jackie Stasch, Senior Manager of Corporate Relations at UCAOA and an expo sales expert, to learn her secrets for successfully selling booth space and sponsorship opportunities.
Here are Jackie’s 7 Tips for Expo Sales Success:
1. Create Opportunities That Sell Themselves
Jackie says: “Make sure you upload good images and provide a solid description – You don’t need to send out 27 emails to sell an opportunity… more
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Nov 05, 2019
If someone tells you that your business doesn’t need traditional marketing strategies, as it’s the era of online marketing, run in the other direction. Trade shows still hold a lot of importance, especially when it comes to creating brand awareness and building relationships.
According to Forbes, the magic of marketing is in the mix, and the best strategy is the one that is educational in nature. Trade shows allow you to market your business and educate potential customers through face-to-face interactions and build relationships with them.
Not only are trade shows more impactful, but they… more
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Nov 01, 2019
Event production is an incredibly diverse and creative field, bringing together many moving parts, each with their own requirements and needs. From efficiency and organization to keeping a cool head under pressure and expertly managing time, the list of skills needed to produce a seamless event — no matter how big or small — is long. At the core, it’s all about respect, Here are some of our top tips on how to work smarter with vendors to deliver the best events possible.
Be kind to everyone.
This one is pretty self explanatory, but something that is so important. Treat others the way you’d… more
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Oct 30, 2019
When you search for a printing company across the globe, there will be so many to choose from that it could become really difficult to decide which company to get in touch with. You will find there are national-level as well as local companies offering the same service. Here are a few important points that will help you select the right company to ensure your printing and designing task is completed successfully.
Analyze the Quality of Work
You will be able to analyze the quality of work by examining samples of their previous assignments. A few things to check would be color consistency,… more
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Oct 22, 2019
Doing trade shows right requires that you make hundreds of correct decisions and actions over the several months before, during and after your event. It means choosing trade show activities that will boost your presence and advance your goals. It also means avoiding certain trade show activities that will ruin all your hard work. These activities are common pitfalls that too many previous exhibitors have fallen into. Do too many of them, and you will waste your marketing investment.
Here are 10 trade show activities to avoid:
1. Booth staffers looking at smartphones
Few things will make… more
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Oct 22, 2019
The year 2020 is almost here, and one of the most urgent issues across all industries, including events, is sustainability. The events sector is gradually learning to take an integrated approach to organizing more earth-friendly events, taking into consideration the full range of relevant aspects, from waste reduction and recycling to resource use, transportation, choosing a sustainable venue and suppliers, and more.
One way to boost event sustainability is by using available technology, as well as being open to embracing upcoming technological changes. The events industry is already… more
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Oct 17, 2019
If you’re not using Facebook advertising to reach potential sponsors and exhibitors for your next event, you should be. You can use the social media platform as an effective tool to gain key contact information for sponsorship and booth leads for your next event, either through Facebook Lead Ads or your website contact form page.
How to Target Potential Sponsors and Exhibitors
Start with an email list of past sponsors and vendors emails, as well as prospects who were interested but did not convert into sponsors or exhibitors. Next, you’ll want to create audiences of the people visiting… more
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Oct 17, 2019
You’ve heard me talk a lot about the event waste problem in my articles. But have you ever wondered how much waste your event is actually generating?
For the most accurate answer, the best thing to do is have a sustainability consultant come out to your event to measure. But for a quick estimate, I’ve come up with an easy formula you can use to estimate your event’s waste footprint.
Based on the waste measurement data I’ve collected from 12 events over the last two years, I’ve determined than an event generates an average of 1 pound of waste per attendee per meal.
Meals are typically the… 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