Experts & Opinions
Aug 04, 2018
When planning an event there is one element that can make a huge difference to the atmosphere of the occasion – the lighting.
The right lighting will direct attention to the most important areas of the space, create the desired mood and ultimately set the scene for the occasion, whether it is a conference, a trade show, a corporate occasion or a private party.
To find out more about how lighting can make – or break – an event I spoke to events planners Julie Girgenti, owner of Exceptional Events and Ellen Davies, owner of LND Events. Here’s what they had to say:
Setting the Tone
Lighting… more
Comments (0)
Aug 01, 2018
Virtual Reality (VR) is a powerful sales and marketing tool, and with a little planning, it can help your company become the focal point of any event. Of those that try VR, 81 percent say they tell their friends about the experience and 79 percent seek to try it again. These numbers illustrate the massive advantage VR has on every other form of media. It is fully immersive and therefore, the most engaging platform for trade show pitches.
Aside from the numbers and engagement statistics, VR trade show experiences give you unprecedented creative control over what your audience experiences.… more
Comments (0)
Jul 26, 2018
If you say the No.1 goal of a Facebook page is to get Likes, Comments and Shares then, well, you’re wrong. Likes and Comments are great and you need them to have a thriving Facebook page, but they’re just one component of fan page strategy. By focusing only on engagement, you are losing sight of people taking actions – visiting your website, signing up, registering or buying a product.
Competing for customers in the digital economy is not easy. People look online to find businesses to buy from – and they predominately are searching social media. Social media is launching businesses, leading… more
Comments (0)
Jul 24, 2018
Your conference sponsorship fee might have been expensive, but it's not your entire investment. You’re competing with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of brands on the exhibition floor. And to make it worthwhile, you have to spend between 25-50 percent more to create a unique experience that actually drives conversations.
If you’re only using what the conference provided as part of the sponsorship, you’ll inevitably look and feel like everyone else. So, how do you ensure your booth stands out? Create memories — memories that will stick with your visitors far after they leave.
To create those… more
Comments (0)
Jul 19, 2018
In today’s post 9/11 world, event security has become a top concern for event planners. All types of events can be vulnerable to security threats, no matter the size of the event or the location. Event organizers must always be thinking about the best ways to implement security at events in order to keep their attendees safe.
Here are some key points to consider when creating a security plan for your next event:
Provide safety and security training for event staff – Staff that have been previously trained in safety and security measures are better equipped to identify and react in the case… more
Comments (0)
Jul 17, 2018
There's no question live events have the power to engage. But it takes a lot more than showing up in a pretty booth, dressed to sell, flashing a welcoming smile to make an event an ROI success. There are many moving parts to coordinate to encourage visits to your booth/presentation:
When and how to reach out before the event
What to do during the event to differentiate your presence from others, attract attendees and make their visit memorable
When and how to keep reaching out to keep visitors on the path toward a purchase
It boils down to content marketing for generating brand awareness… more
Comments (0)
Jul 12, 2018
Let’s first state the obvious: a lot, and I mean a lot, goes into planning and executing an event. No one knows this better than you. But what about when the event is over?
If you’ve put money and effort into capturing your event (or at least major portions of it), you now have a virtual treasure trove of video. Yes, it’s going to take some effort to maximize its value. But fortunately for you, lots of companies and organizations have been generating revenue from their event video for some time now. That means we have ample insights, anecdotes, and data on how event video can make you money… more
Comments (0)
Jul 10, 2018
Here they come! The keynote speech is over and everyone is spilling onto the exhibit floor. But how do you sort through the throngs and engage your best prospects, those people who can really benefit from what you are selling?
Let’s say a couple of people are approaching your booth and slowing down to see what you have to offer. It’s up to your booth staff to engage them in conversation and find out what they are looking for. But what’s the best way to start?
You might try any of the following sample engagement techniques, outlined by Natural Training in their blog article, Eight… more
Comments (0)
Jul 05, 2018
If one element is inarguably the make-or-break of your trade show, it’s your staff. Smart staffing choices are the difference between trade shows that run smoothly and events that flop. One or two people taking on too many responsibilities easily becomes your Achilles’ heel.
More than half of event creators envision themselves throwing additional events this year but only 38 percent plan to expand their events teams, according to Eventbrite’s survey of event professionals. Budget, time and energy constraints hit underachieving teams particularly hard, resulting in events that are weakly… more
Comments (0)
Jul 03, 2018
Apps are the hot new way to communicate with your event attendees. In fact, many attendees have grown so accustomed to seeking information from apps that they expect your event to have one. But how can you tell if your app is truly successful at engaging their attention? And how can you improve it to deliver the results you want?
By studying the analytics – or history of usage – within your app, you can get a clearer picture of whether or not and how well your app performs. With this valuable data, you can then make smarter decisions about how to design your app for maximum adoption and… more
Comments (0)
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