Experts & Opinions
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
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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
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Dec 01, 2021
As you know, there are many factors that go into a successful trade show marketing program. It is important to have a booth that draws attention, brings your brand to life and functions properly. It is also important to have a trade show staff inside that booth who knows your business well, has a friendly and welcoming demeanor, and shows up to work hard and provide results.
While both your booth itself and your booth staff are extremely important (in addition to a lengthy list of other factors like pre-show marketing, choosing the best trade shows for your business, having a great lead… more
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Nov 30, 2021
If you’re proposing a hybrid event to co-workers, senior management or an association board, it’s essential to outline all the benefits. With the right event objectives, budget, audience and platform, hybrid events deliver on more than just eyeballs.
Savings: Hybrid events can expand the global audience of an event without commensurately expanding the budget. In other words, if you want to add more attendees to your live event, it typically costs more in physical infrastructure (meeting space, transportation, food and beverage) than it costs to add the same number of attendees virtually. … more
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Nov 24, 2021
As vaccination rates continue to rise and people return to their “normal” lives, many event organizers and venues are thinking about how they can continue to protect the health and safety of attendees. Some organizers and venues have also expressed a desire to help promote the vaccination effort, as the more people who get vaccinated, the safer events will be.
A number of events, such as the HIMSS21 Health and Safety Hub that took place in Las Vegas in August, have required in-person attendees to be fully vaccinated. Similarly, some concert and sporting venues like Madison Square Garden in… more
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Nov 23, 2021
We all love when a project is successfully completed on time, on budget, as envisioned and of course, with a huge return on investment. It’s even better if we can take all the credit for it, but let’s be honest, it takes a strong team of skilled individuals to pull this off. There are hundreds of moving parts, each with its unique intricacies, that make it impossible for one person to do it all. Some of the best projects that I’ve worked on are a result of the team in place and talents that everyone can bring to the table.
Lending Support
I’m not an estimator, or a project manager, or a… more
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Nov 18, 2021
Moderators can be key in any hybrid, in-person or virtual event experience. They keep attendees focused, ensure chats run smoothly and enhance speaker content.
The Client Success team at JUNO has supported hundreds of online conference sessions for emergency room physicians, e-sports experts and event pros. This first-hand experience with various speakers offers insight for future planning. We sat down with Marjorie Scarff, senior manager of client success, for a quick Q&A to understand best practices for moderating a session and why it’s important.
First off, what or who is a… more
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Nov 16, 2021
Businesses have relied on trade shows for B2B marketing for nearly 200 years, and it’s easy to see why. These exhibitions allow companies to network, discover new leads and form partnerships. The more connections you make, the more likely you are to turn a profit and become a respected brand.
Up until this point, these shows have been largely in-person events. Now, however, event organizers are taking a different approach, with a plan to increase spending on virtual events and trade shows by 37% and 30%, respectively. Thus, online expos will likely remain for the foreseeable future.
This… more
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Nov 11, 2021
What exactly defines a “technology company?” Wikipedia says it’s an electronics-based business related to internet-related services, software, yadda yadda. There’s no doubt that Apple, Samsung, Dell and Amazon are tech companies. But let’s consider Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, which are all classified in that category. They are categorized as such, given that their services are delivered online or through mobile and their revenue is generated by selling data or access to information. Makes sense. On the other hand, these companies offer the ability for people to connect, communicate and… more
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Nov 09, 2021
The coronavirus outbreak ended social gatherings and events as we know them, seemingly overnight. Now almost two years into this pandemic, we’re realizing just how important events are to our personal and professional lives, and we want them back. In June of this year, as the vaccine started to make its way around the world, the events industry started to see signs of recovery, and attendee confidence was on the rise. But that quickly unraveled with the emergence of the Delta Variant. It’s now clear that the pandemic isn't over just yet and that the rules of engagement are still very much… 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