Blogs

Jan 13, 2022
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the use, or misuse, of QR code data by marketers. It’s a valid argument, albeit familiar, in the context of data privacy. Most people are aware that QR codes aren’t new, but they are back in the spotlight. This is due to a variety of reasons, the top ones being the acceleration of QR codes during the pandemic and the eventual dissolution of third-party cookies. Throughout the pandemic, QR codes proved to be the easiest way to conduct touchless transactions such as ordering food or paying a bill. Now, they’re a primary way for managing how attendees… more
Jan 11, 2022
Regardless of what type of event you’re holding, you need to meet your registration goals. While events may continue to look different for the foreseeable future, we have found many of our solid marketing tactics and strategies are still effective and will help move the needle in this evolving event landscape. Here are our top tips to increase your registration: Set and amplify multiple deadlines Use rate increases to drive urgency, incentivize and to create micro-campaigns within the overall campaign cycle. With a long campaign cycle, customers can easily lose interest and engagement, but… more
Jan 06, 2022
Pandemic-related shifts in both company protocols and consumer behaviors have forever changed the ways in which we come together for industry events such as trade shows and seminars, or consumer marketing events like expos, conferences and festivals. The unprecedented global shutdowns have reinforced the need for in-person events, while simultaneously creating new challenges for event organizers. Achieving your event goals is now more difficult than ever. But when these obstacles are properly overcome, in-person events can also be more rewarding than ever. In the fine jewelry industry, we had… more
Jan 04, 2022
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most individuals and businesses couldn’t imagine hosting an event with in-person and remote attendees. According to a recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association, however, three out of five respondents expected to host at least one hybrid meeting in 2021. This major shift underscores the importance of a solid content strategy for hybrid events. Everyone is craving more information in a world of quick hits and short bits of knowledge, so your event content needs to stay on message and to the point. At the start of the pandemic, event hosts tried to… more
Dec 28, 2021
Viva, in various languages, means long live, acclaim, support, live voice and more. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe the sentiment internationally around the industry—especially in these last few weeks.  For nearly two years, the events industry has changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, due to new protocols of vaccination, masking and more, live events are coming back, and November 9-11 saw the first major international industry conference in nearly two years in Las Vegas, attended by more than 15,000 event professionals.  Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group,… more
Dec 21, 2021
Hybrid events are not a fad, they’re a trend that has emerged out of the toughest crisis the MICE industry has ever seen. According to a recent eventsforce report, nearly 60% of association meeting planners are organizing hybrid events in Q4 2021 or for Q1 2022.  As the macro environment around COVID-19 and international travel restrictions remain fluid, it’s clear that the pendulum might have swung too heavily towards live, in-person events in Q4 2021. A more likely outcome will see the events industry settle into a happy medium, where the hybrid model maintains popularity.  There has… more
Dec 17, 2021
These are “in-between” times. After the catastrophic 2020, our industry saw more reason to be hopeful in 2021. This year, markets began to reopen around the world, but not with the full reopening we had hoped for as we continue to be challenged by new waves and new variants of COVID. We are still facing an outlook of “stop and go” for show organizers, the most difficult situation possible for our industry. But as we head towards the end of the year, we have passed a remarkable tipping point: Less than a year after the first vaccination campaigns began, more than half the world’s population… more
Dec 16, 2021
No matter the level of education, years of industry experience or how well they articulate themselves, women need to continue carving their path in the exhibit and events world. I’ve been in this industry for over 15 years, travelled to dozens of cities, worked for multiple organizations (large and small) and there is still an inequality amongst men and women.   In most companies in this sector, female VPs only represent 20-30%, and even less are CEOs.  Unfortunately, this stems from the top, and most of the individuals who started the companies were project managers, installers or… more
Dec 09, 2021
A couple of years ago, it was possible to organize and host a team event in a week. Not ideal, probably challenging, but definitely possible. However, these days, if you want to plan and run a team building event that’s worthy of your team’s time, it’s likely impossible with the current supply chain disruptions. You’ve no doubt seen the news headlines and most likely been impacted by the chaos of shortages of everything from raw materials to computer chips that are nearing historic levels. Global supply chains have been upended, consumers face delays, and price increases most likely will… more
Dec 07, 2021
The pandemic has been an eye-opening experience for people who plan and attend events, but after a year-and-a-half of online conferences, expos, meetings and other experiences, many of us miss the energy and interaction of in-person events. However, we’ve also learned that although virtual events can’t always replace the real thing, they can still be highly effective. When conditions allow, there is no doubt in-person events will return—but that doesn’t mean virtual experiences will disappear. Hybrid events that incorporate in-person and online components are the future. In fact, 52% of… more
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.