Blogs
Dec 06, 2018
For many larger, tech-savvy companies and event venues, when a software need arises, a similar discussion takes place: is this something we can build and maintain ourselves, or better to invest in a third-party system to meet the need?
The market for event management software - spanning everything from venue management to ticketing, analytics, marketing and more - is growing at a phenomenal rate, and a recent report estimates the market to be worth 11.06 billion by 2020.
In this piece, I’ll break down some advantages and disadvantages of each side of the buy vs. build discussion, with a… more
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Dec 04, 2018
Traditional seminar spaces are a thing of the past. Replacing them are engaging, tech-enabled, bespoke spaces that are beautiful, functional and sharable. Events should feel tailored to each attendee and excite from start to finish. By rethinking what each attendee needs from your seminar space, utilizing tech-enabled furniture and understanding the need for collaboration, you can create a space that feels daring, yet completely practical.
Use these tips to create a fresh and engaging space that works for your client and your attendee.
Connect to Tech: The best technology integrates what’… more
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Nov 30, 2018
All trade shows, conferences and other events primarily exist for one reason: to allow the opportunity for face-to-face selling between attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. Of course, there are other reasons for events, such as education, but a trade show is its own ecosystem and its goal is to have growth with the perfect balance of qualified attendees and exhibitors. For the purposes of this article, the word “exhibitors” also includes sponsors.
How do I increase my event attendance on a consistent basis? Take a look at the four key selling points that are outlined below and you might find… more
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Nov 27, 2018
In my first article, we discussed Goal Setting, Booth Design and Pre-show Marketing, which will all lay the foundation for your next trade show. Whether it is one, two, three or four days long, there is work to do.
At the very least, companies are spending at least $10,000 to exhibit at a show and for the largest shows, larger companies will spend well over $1 million. That $10,000 investment to one company may be a much bigger spend to that company than the $1 million is to another. In any case, execution and ROI are vital. Therefore, the hours on the show floor and even before and after… more
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Nov 26, 2018
When the event is over and you’re basking in the glow of success, nothing can put a damper on your hard work quite like seeing the post-event pile: huge stacks of leftover or discarded handouts and publications, bins full of packaging odds and ends, boxes full of promotional items that can’t be used again.
The accumulation of trash after a typical event not only affects the environment but also your bottom line (more dumpster rentals = more costs!).
Reducing event waste isn’t a one-step quick fix, however. To be most effective, you need a collaborative experience that gets everyone… more
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Nov 20, 2018
No. 7: Fudge your trade show exhibiting show deadlines.
We all know people who procrastinate. And sometimes, the enemy is us!
One of my favorite old country-western songs talks about “living my life one step ahead of behind.” And, with more and more time poverty in our lives, even if you don’t procrastinate, you can still get “behinder and behinder.” Some days I feel like I’m meeting myself coming around the other end!
Building some spare time into your show timeline will give you a little cushion between when you originally planned on having a show task done and when it will really… more
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Nov 19, 2018
The day of a trade show can be hectic but it’s also when all of your pre-event efforts will pay off. The time you spent tracking and managing segmented guest lists will now help you prioritize how you interact with guests at your booth. The clear value proposition you developed and integrated into your pre-show promotions will help increase traffic at your booth. Your Twitter presence has boosted your brand’s visibility and given you insight into attendees’ interests and behaviors.
But in order for all of this to translate into clear leads and opportunities, you have to make sure your booth… more
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Nov 19, 2018
Trade shows are a fantastic way to establish yourself in your industry and collect tons of leads. However, the best ways to manage the leads and contacts you collect, as well as the visitor experience can be hard to manage. After all, you only have a small assigned area to effectively pitch yourself, engage your visitors and capture contact information!
Thank goodness for mobile apps. Now, countless apps have been developed to streamline trade show operations seamlessly - and most don’t even depend on wifi. (After all, wifi may be nonexistent or spotty at best in large convention centers… more
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Nov 15, 2018
Like all technology, helping staff learn how to use event technology and benefit from its performance features is essential to deriving a high return on that investment. Regardless of the fact that event technology is rented and used for a short term (the duration of the trade show or conference), it is still important to properly educate and train employees who will be at the event on the technology’s purpose and application.
While it is true that staff may require little if any explanation on some event technology (i.e., lighting, sound and projection equipment, computers, etc.), they… more
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Nov 08, 2018
For more than 25 years I have worked in the trade show sales and management industry. In that time, I have sold and managed well over 150 events in more than 20 countries on six continents and seen both incredible successes and epic failures by exhibitors.
I thought I would share some best practices that I have observed and heard over the years from exhibitors and industry colleagues.
If your company is deliberate in trade show planning, goal setting, execution and post-show lead follow-up, your exhibits program should be very successful. If you aren’t deliberate and proactive, then there… more
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Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be.
Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024.
To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages.
Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions.
In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage.
Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.