Experts & Opinions
May 25, 2022
In the past few years, audiences experienced much more than just a pandemic (which would’ve been enough on its own). People also experienced extreme isolation, civil unrest, a worsening climate crisis and many moral dilemmas that changed their internal and external perceptions. As a result, event attendees have placed greater importance on values: what brands stand for, what stances they take on political and social issues, how they treat employees, whether their practices are sustainable and more. According to Ipsos, the link between consumer and brand values has grown significantly.
This… more
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May 18, 2022
Our words matter. We often use them at our events or in our teams to communicate ideas, convey passion, express creativity, articulate intelligence, radiate confidence and exude wit. But choose the wrong ones, and you’ll become the insensitive event staff or coworker.
Assuming you don’t want to be that person, let’s explore some commonly used words at trade shows and conferences, or phrases that are either past their expiration, culturally appropriated or downright offensive, and what you can say instead to demonstrate your intellect, wit and inclusivity!
Guru
When we refer to someone… more
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May 11, 2022
In the “Friends” episode, “The One With the Cop,” Ross buys a new couch. He opts to carry it up to his apartment instead of depending on professionals. Who can forget that iconic scene where he shouts, “Here we go! Pivot! PIVOT! PI-VOT!”
We can give Ross some credit for drawing up a plan to get the couch up a narrow stairwell. But it isn’t long before he abandons the plan and suggests Rachel and Chandler just follow his lead. Alas, he’s left with a sawed-in-half couch and a $4 store credit. He should have called in the professionals.
The event industry spent the better part of 2020 and 2021… more
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May 04, 2022
Today’s event attendees are less driven by product than they are by purpose. For instance, 85% of people around the world are making more sustainable purchases. As a result, 83% of organizations are taking sustainability into account when planning events. This audience shift toward values offers a tremendous opportunity for companies willing to be empathetic and transparent.
As an event marketer, you need to take this change seriously. You must determine how to communicate not just the features and benefits of your products during events, but also your company’s compassion and demonstrable… more
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Apr 27, 2022
Since the onset of the pandemic, the FBI has reported cyberattacks to jump by 300%. No, that’s not a fabrication. These are the salad days for cybercriminals. As the office space abruptly entered our homes, and that includes both physical and electronic environments, more workers have become lax with their cyber precautions. It’s a natural response to adversity and change: Hunker down and simplify the things that you can control until the storm of chaos passes. The storm may be passing by, but what it’s leaving behind is looking quite different than the past.
We’re clearly not all headed… more
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Apr 20, 2022
Since the “pivot” in 2020, the events industry has been acutely focused on how to define, plan and execute hybrid events—particularly in terms of the intersection and interaction between live and digital experiences. The shift to digital events has opened the door to a new, equally important industry imperative: how we leverage the new data channels that have emerged from digital events and integrate that data into our marketing and sales technology stacks.
In the past, it was easier to measure event performance because gathering event data was simpler. Attendees visit a booth and get… more
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Apr 13, 2022
Let’s play a game. Close your eyes. I am going to say a word. Tell me the first thing that pops into your head. "Inclusivity." Go!
Oddly enough, for many people, the first thing that pops into their minds when thinking about inclusivity is race or ethnicity. Maybe that’s because of the current state of the world, but as an event industry professional, I want you to expand your horizons and think of all the different categories like gender, language, religion, ability, sexual orientation and more. The list is endless. If we start to engage with a variety of people, the events we plan can… more
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Apr 07, 2022
Some folks can get really caught up in the “grass is always greener” syndrome. I can understand that tendency, of course, as I have my fair share of lawn envy, and I mean that both metaphorically and literally. Lately, for me at least, it’s been about automobiles. It seems everywhere I go, my eye is catching that certain car that makes me salivate. After the initial emotional rush, I can usually remind myself that I currently don’t have a car payment and then take a moment to recall exactly how much I dislike those.
The point is that the greener view, more often, is an illusion. It warns… more
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Mar 30, 2022
Over the past couple of years, folks have become accustomed to a virtual world that allows them to work, learn and play from the comfort of their own homes. In order to get people out of their pajamas and onto a show floor, you have to offer more than just quality content. You must create an in-person experience that meets attendees halfway.
Success would mean marrying both the in-person aspect of networking and engaging at an event with the comfort and flexibility of being at home. Fortunately, there are several ways to achieve this union.
Create spaces that allow for choice. Consider… more
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Mar 23, 2022
As the leader of an event and experiential marketing agency, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was one of, if not the, most challenging time for myself and our business—not only because we had to rethink our industry’s entire model of in-person events, but also because I had to make some incredibly difficult decisions regarding our employees. Namely, we faced the unfortunate reality that we needed to downsize and furlough a number of our team.
Those conversations were tough. We were letting go of people that had actively made Impact XM a leading agency in the industry and a company with… 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