Experts & Opinions
Oct 10, 2019
Looking for ways to keep your events fresh and vibrant? Styling with furniture and décor that follow the latest color trends of the year, such as berry hues, soothing greens and earth tones, are sure to take your event to the next level. To successfully leverage on-trend color schemes and styles, follow these three tips:
Add a Retro Flare with Earth Tones
Try incorporating organic, natural shades for a throwback event ambiance. Mid-century and Danish modern seating that features soft velvet fabrics in rust orange or coffee-brown offer a comfortable spot for guests to relax in style. Throw… more
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Oct 08, 2019
It is interesting to me how many trade show exhibitors are shocked that no one stops in their booth, yet they have done nothing to promote or even attract passers-by to it. In the age of constant visual stimulation, social media and short attention spans, we as trade show and event marketers must plan more if we intend to attract new prospects to our booth at an event.
Below are some simple steps that you can take to increase your chances of meeting, engaging and connecting with new prospects at your next trade show. Here are some things to consider when preparing to draw visitors to your… more
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Oct 03, 2019
This is the second article in a two-part series. Read the first part here.
We already know that trade shows alone — while a valuable addition to brands’ marketing repertoires — might not be delivering the results they have in the past. Many marketers are tracking trade show attendance rather than concrete sales metrics to justify hefty show investments. But in an overly saturated marketing sphere, face-to-face conversations are key to brand survival.
How do we remedy this return on investment problem? Don’t just think outside the box — think outside the convention center. Besides making an… more
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Oct 01, 2019
Trade show prep is exhausting as you scramble to get swag ordered, booth materials packed and meetings set. One task you don’t want to forget about in the midst of all that is creating content. The right piece of content is a great resource that you can use to drive brand impressions with attendees during the event—using a QR code or the like—or after, with value-based follow-up emails.
Ultimately, the right content allows you to engage attendees during and after the show in service of driving leads and sales. Consider the following pieces of content and how they can fit into your trade show… more
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Sep 26, 2019
This is the first article in a two-part series.
Trade shows continue to be good places to build buzz and impress decision-makers. But do all trade show appearances generate the returns needed to make the trip worthwhile?
The Consumer Electronics Show works because it’s an “in” place for seeing products and being seen. Its success is due partly to serving such a niche audience (and the fact that it’s held in Las Vegas doesn’t hurt). Decision-makers and influencers attend CES to raise their brand’s profile and share their prophetic vision of the market’s future needs.
CES continues to… more
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Sep 24, 2019
If your company or association is attending a trade show or hosting a conference, you’re probably thinking about the swag you want to give to attendees. While it may seem like the easiest box to check off your list, your event swag says a lot about your business!
The quality of your swag reflects your brand. And since attendees are inundated with free giveaways everywhere they go, it’s important to choose standout tchotchkesthat lure attendees to your booth. Your company-branded swag may be the only thing that can draw potential clients to a booth for a conversation and trigger a memory of… more
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Sep 19, 2019
If you’re new to exhibiting and unfamiliar with the different lead retrieval solutions on the market today, you might be tempted to rent the system provided by the trade show instead of purchasing your own. While that may seem like the simplest and most convenient option, you might not realize how this path of least resistance could end up negatively impacting your ability to capture quality leads – and your bottom line.
Let’s examine some of the pitfalls of renting a show-provided lead retrieval system and why purchasing an independent solution is your best bet.
A One-Size-Fits-All… more
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Sep 17, 2019
Have you optimized your booth’s walk-by experience? When trade show attendees walk by your booth or display, it only takes them an instant to decide if your booth is interesting. This instant impression, sometimes called a thin slice, can make or break the success of your exhibition.
In order to have a good instant impression, you need two things:
To get people’s attention
To communicate value
Getting Attention
You may notice that the lion’s share of foot traffic at trade shows typically goes to those who can command attention. If you’re not naturally gifted with magnetism though, don’t… more
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Sep 12, 2019
Nineteenth-century U.S. merchant and marketing pioneer John Wanamaker observed: “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is, I don’t know which half.”
Many event organizers identify with Wanamaker when it comes to event data. They know their data is telling them something, they’re just not sure what that something is. And they’re not certain how to harness their data to more closely monitor the lifeblood of their trade show: qualified attendance growth.
Fortunately, today’s organizers have more data tools and strategies than Wanamaker did and, by following these steps… more
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Sep 10, 2019
Should event planners consider AV as a primary planning item at the very outset of their next? We think they should.
As we wrote in Part One of this two-part series, AV planning can help nail down budgets and establish how the production will meet corporate objectives.
We first covered attendee numbers, room size and how AV companies cost out their equipment. Now, we’ll dive further into logistics, what you’re actually buying and the seven elemental questions to answer prior to meeting with an AV pro.
Access, Logistics & Power
So, with the space requirements, objectives and… 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