Candy Adams
Candy Adams, aka “The Booth Mom®,” is a hands-on trade show exhibit project manager and trainer. She helps exhibitors maximize the return on their exhibit investment using the best strategic, tactical and training practices.
Things I Wish Somebody Would Have Told Me About Exhibiting
January 21, 2020
No. 8: Spoil your onsite exhibit staff.
The morale of your on-site exhibit staff is your secret weapon. A happy team is a productive team. And the happier they are, the more positive their interactions with be with your prospects and customers who’ll remember their in-booth interactions with your uber-professional staff. This memorability is what will linger in your prospects’ minds long after your exhibit is back in its crates after the show.
What are you doing to make your on-site exhibit team comfortable with their show participation — mentally and physically?
Since we’re in show biz, I compare our exhibit to a stage we’ve set to entertain our attendees. In my analogy, our props are things like our graphics with key messages, demos, collateral literature, lead-gathering system and giveaways. Our scripts are the elevator speeches, qualifying questions and product knowledge. Our exhibit staff are our actors. So, don’t forget the rehearsal that will incorporate it all into an award-winning performance.
Are you mentally preparing your exhibit staff with pre-show communications, off-site strategy and boothmanship training, and an in-booth orientation before the show so they’re comfortable in their booth ambassador role and know what to expect when the show opens?
And are you considering what your exhibit staff want to get out of the show? Is it time off to attend some conference sessions, schedule meetings with prospects in their pipeline, check out the competition, or network with colleagues and customers? You need to consider their objectives for the show, too, and scheduling their booth duty accordingly, not just telling them what the goals and objectives are for your corporate exhibiting program and expecting their instant buy-in.
Don’t forget to pack the creature comforts for your staff while they’re at the show – everything from having small bottles of water for parched throats to a variety of finger-fruit, granola and snack bars when lunch just isn’t an option. In my “be-nice-to-your-staff-stuff,” I also stash a variety of headache and cold remedies,; antacids to counteract show chili dogs; Pedialyte or Gatorade for the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance of hangovers; Vitamin C candies to ward off colds; throat lozenges or cough drops; a variety of Bandaids and moleskin for foot boo-boos; tiny hotel-amenity bottles of mouthwash; enough TicTac and Altoid mints for everyone; a box of anti-viral tissues, and even pump bottles of hand sanitizer. Oh, and don’t forget a supply of foam or gel insoles for tired feet (buy the largest size and let your staff cut them down to fit)! Achy, tingly feet are your exhibit staff’s biggest barrier between a smile and a grimace! (And yes, this is how I was first nicknamed “The Booth Mom!”)
Shows are tough duty, so it pays to do whatever you can to make them as easy as possible on your staff!
This blog is part of an ongoing series. Read No. 7 here.
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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
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