Experts & Opinions
Sep 26, 2015
I once worked with a client who held a consumer event each year that netted many sponsors. When the sponsorships started dropping like flies and the client fretted, my company interviewed some of the sponsors.
The interviewees said our client offered so many sponsorships, the opportunities offered little value to them. They felt they had to compete with too many other sponsors for recognition and recall. This information was crucial for our client, and we never would have known if we hadn’t reached out to the sponsors for their feedback.
Ask and You Shall… more
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Sep 19, 2015
A great event management team will do their absolute best in covering all the bases for their event(s), especially when it comes to fulfilling needs and satisfying both clients and end users. As 2015 is the Year of the Attendee, these needs are something important to consider prior to, during, and even after an event has ended. Below are a few ways to help meet attendee needs.
1: CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY: ENGAGEMENT
The pre-event chatter is essential in getting to know the type of attendee, what attracts them to the event, and how they plan on taking their acquired knowledge with them… more
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Sep 19, 2015
Successful trade show exhibitions are those earning a quantifiable return on the investment. If you want that successful ROI, it requires lots of careful planning.
Front and center of that planning is the actual budget for the trade show.
Too many first time exhibitors and even seasoned trade show veterans make the critical mistake of improper budgeting, simply because they do not plan out for all the variables that come with a trade show.
There is much more to a comprehensive trade show exhibit budget than you’d expect. In order to stay within budget and avoid the potential cost overruns,… more
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Sep 12, 2015
Imagine an environment built solely to bring collaborators and competitors together from diverse industries — a space perfectly suited to helping them achieve their business goals. What would it look like?
Traditionally, it was beneficial for businesses — and, indeed, entire industries — to build hubs in convenient locations to serve regional markets. Germany could be considered the grandfather of the exhibition. In the Middle Ages, Germany naturally became a society that encouraged market-style meetings for people to display their wares in one common place. It was an economic catalyst for… more
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Sep 12, 2015
When it comes to trade show booths, size isn’t everything. Though a large and intricate booth space can be enticing, small booths can still make a big impact. With a little preparation, you can do a lot with the small space you’ve paid for to grab the attention of those passing by and get them to stop by your exhibit.
Below are some ways to make a big bang with a small booth space at your next trade show:
It’s All in the Lighting
Much like it does for an actress or model, proper lighting makes a big difference for small trade show booths. Without adequate lighting, your brand will… more
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Aug 30, 2015
Especially if you’re taking an integrated marketing approach, your customers need to be driving the decisions your company makes. Otherwise, your brand could risk becoming irrelevant—or, worse, offensive—to your audience.
Just look at Puma’s promotion of its Italy jersey for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It set up “confessionals” across the US and encouraged people to kneel before the “altar,” snap pictures and share them on social channels with the hashtag #StartBelieving.
Unfortunately, the stunt coincided with Ash Wednesday, and Puma’s poor timing didn’t go over well with its audience.
Customer… more
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Aug 30, 2015
1. Not doing your research. Before you sign up for a trade show, make sure it’s the right one for you. Know ahead of time whether the people that will be attending are your target audience and whether you think the investment will pay off. Make sure you know about the registration dates, size of booth and which competitors will be there. The more you know and the more prepared you are, the less stress you’ll have to deal with
2. Not knowing why you’re attending. Once you choose to attend a trade show, analyze what you want to get out of it and set some goals. Are you trying to… more
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Aug 23, 2015
Consistently putting together successful events is something that even the best event management companies sometimes struggle with – after all, there are so many variables in each event that can decide its ultimate success or failure that even years of experience can’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly.
But while the events industry might seem rather unpredictable, it does not mean that it can’t be boiled down to a science. In fact, there are certain characteristics of a successful events agency that are always present in the organization process of the best events.
So for those who… more
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Aug 23, 2015
These days, Hollywood seems to be producing more sequels than original stories. That’s because movie sequels have proven to be big moneymakers, and, as a result, the movie industry has adjusted its priorities accordingly.
Movie fans have displayed an intense attraction and engagement toward stories and characters who live long lives on the big screen. That made me wonder: Can we use the same power of sequels to breathe new life into our marketing campaigns?
The Power Of The Sequel
Carrying a storyline through multiple sequels is not an easy task, but it can be a lucrative one. Stories that… more
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Aug 15, 2015
A great event management team will do their absolute best in covering all the bases for their event(s), especially when it comes to fulfilling needs and satisfying both clients and end users. As 2015 is the Year of the Attendee, these needs are something important to consider prior to, during, and even after an event has ended. Below are a few ways to help meet attendee needs.
1: CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY: ENGAGEMENT
The pre-event chatter is essential in getting to know the type of attendee, what attracts them to the event, and how they plan on taking their acquired knowledge with them… 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