Experts & Opinions
Jul 20, 2013
Earlier this year, I wrote a surprisingly popular blog post called “44 Things A Booth Staffer Does.” Some readers were amazed at the wide range of skills and tasks booth staffers require, while other readers wanted to share with their naïve peers just how much staffers actually do.
That led me to think about the job of your biggest booth staffer. And I’m not talking about that body builder from sales, or the big cheese CEO. I’m talking about your trade show booth.
Trade show displays are multitasking marvels made of metal, wood, fabric and more.… more
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Jul 20, 2013
There is a very interesting tidal shift in the U.S tradeshow industry. It’s a well sailed ocean in Europe, but a new current here.
What’s the big splash? Cities investing in tradeshows. I am not talking about wooing shows to the city. I am talking about money on the table types of partnerships.
As we all know, the German Messe’s have long owned and operated tradeshows on behalf their cities. In addition, they have branched out all over the world with excellent results. Messe Deusseldorf alone has events in 13 OTHER countries (now including the U.S.) than… more
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Jul 13, 2013
Perhaps you are an exhibit marketer who has yet to send your first Tweet, write your first blog post, or record your first YouTube video. Or maybe social media has already become a regular part of your trade show promotions. Either way, what’s next?
Whether you are a social media rookie, a digital native, or somewhere in between, there is a progression of tactics you can follow to expand your reach, influence, relationships, and results.
Here are the seven levels of social media, for business to business marketers, and especially trade show marketers:
Level 1: … more
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Jul 13, 2013
Tradeshows are a great way to reconnect with your existing clients, while also reaching out to new customers. We all know that these events take a lot of planning and organization, but your hard work really pays off when you build your brand and expand your customer base. Tradeshows also can take a toll on the environment, though, as they are responsible for generating tons of waste. In fact, according to data from Smash Hit Displays, the tradeshow industry is second only to the construction industry in the amount of waste we create. So what can we do?
Here are five easy ways to reduce… more
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Jul 05, 2013
I recently attended the HITEC conference in Minneapolis, and I got to participate in the SCANVenger Hunt platform they had for attendees and exhibitors. This was my first onsite gaming experience and something I really enjoyed and wanted to share with TSNN’s readers.
In speaking with Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP, this was HITEC’s first use of the game application at the show, and it was introduced after having seen it at another show, and Frank was impressed by the interactions brought on by the platform. That got me thinking about the game platform and how it… more
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Jun 28, 2013
Marketing-savvy consumer brands are already socially enabling their employees - not to mention customers and other stakeholders - as a way to increase their return on social. How can trade show professionals utilize decentralization to not only grow attendance, but to increase exhibitor participation, build buzz, strengthen loyalty, improve employee retention, enhance customer service and more?
By using the following tips and best practices …
1. Utilize a hub and spoke social media model: Your marketing/public relations team (or agency) will still play a vital, albeit different,… more
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Jun 22, 2013
One of the best things about our industry is that we’re not limited by geography or cultural boundaries. Because each country has its own exhibiting style, rules and practices, it’s important to acquaint yourself and your team with the differences so you don’t go into this process blindly.
During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to manage global brand activations for many clients, and I’ve developed practices that provide the best opportunity for success.
Here are my top four that you need to know if you’re exhibiting internationally:
1. Understand… more
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Jun 22, 2013
Let’s talk knuckle busters, zip zaps, and scanners - because I speak your language.
Event organizers, registration contractors and purveyors of lead recording hardware and software bandy about the term “lead retrieval.” But for the most part the people who actually use these systems - the trade show exhibitors - well, they do not.
They haven’t heard the term.
If someone called you up on the phone, trying to interest you in a “brougham,” would you know they were referring to an automobile? I sure wouldn't.
In the credit card business, I manufacture… more
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Jun 13, 2013
In recent years, the expectation for events to be more interactive, collaborative and participatory rather than simply passive experiences has increased dramatically and technology is playing a major role in helping planners achieve this – from the noise created by social media before, during and after an event to technologies which enable the audience to engage more actively with the content and with each other.
I wanted to share some cool technology ideas that can help you make your event or your participation in an event more interactive and therefore more engaging:
Mobile… more
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Jun 13, 2013
After tradeshows, email marketing is arguably the most powerful channel for lead generation. Following email best practices is critical to closing sales after your event participation. Often, exhibitors are so weary after their events that they miss their window of opportunity and lose sales.
If you don’t have a strong email marketing foundation, you’d better start building that knowledge. Let’s start at the top, the subject line. The subject line is the most important element of your email. I know, that’s a lot of pressure. This is because if your email doesn’t get opened, none of the other… 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