Michael Fetter has been hired as the director of marketing in the Marketing Communications department for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Before coming to the bureau, Fetter was a media buyer for Bandy Carroll Hellige (BCH), as well as a marketing manager for Phoenix Process Equipment Company where he oversaw all strategic marketing and communications plans.
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Grapevine, Texas, as the destination for its World Education Congress (WEC) in 2020.
The association will collaborate with the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the conference, which is scheduled for June 6–9, 2020, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
Grapevine is centrally located between Fort Worth and Dallas, where MPI is headquartered.
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not-for-profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has launched 2018 nominations for its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a lifetime honor,” said Marie-Claire Andrews, AWE board member and chair of the AWE Awards Committee. “It doesn’t begin and end with a simple recognition, rather our winners will be part of our community and celebrated long-term!”
In an effort to further the mission of its members, the International Housewares Association (IHA) has selected Ungerboeck Software as its new event management solution provider.
“We wanted a turnkey system that will provide IHA with streamlined operations to increase productivity and improved reporting with data analytics,” explained Dean P. Kurtis, vice president of finance and information technology of IHA, which produces the International Home + Housewares Show and represents more than 1,700 member companies.
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the first study in its newest research report series for event attendee marketers, “How to Grow Attendance.”
With supple fabrics, charismatic hues and daring combinations of pattern and texture, exhibit and event décor design is both daring and demure in 2018.
Color and pattern trends that will dominate the year include Gray Seating, Bold Energetic Colors, as well as Graphic and Tropical Patterns. Design trends you can expect to find in 2018 are Luxurious Curves, Rich Textures, Modern Industrial Chic incorporating the 70’s vibe, and Powered Meeting Chairs.
Incorporating furniture design trends can keep exhibits relevant and engaging. Here are a few to consider:
Cincinnati Magazine has purchased Cincinnati Baby & Beyond Expo from Hart Productions.
Set for Sept. 15-16 at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the annual consumer show for moms, moms-to-be, parents and extended family attracts more than 10,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibiting companies featuring the latest in baby gear, clothing and accessories, along with onsite child and health care experts and interactive activities to keep kids entertained.
Freeman has launched Blueprint, a web-based floor plan management system designed to transform the way show organizers plan, manage and sell event booth space.
Originally launched in 2009 as ShowPlans in the European, Middle Eastern and Asian markets and now released in the U.S. with new features, the re-branded platform delivers real-time visibility into booth availability during the sales process while helping to improve show planning efficiency.
Digital transformation has changed today’s audiences. Consumers are more sophisticated and skeptical, preferring experiences over brands, moments over bargains. Legacy advertising and marketing no longer have that impactful reach. This consumer shift hasn’t just changed brand experience marketing – which makes events more personal and tailored – but also the way organizers approach sponsorship.
The Expo Group, an exhibitions and events partner that invests in growth, is now accepting nominations from across the industry for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards. The awards program annually recognizes great leaders in events and trade shows.
“Honorees of the SMOTY Awards wow everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said President and COO of The Expo Group Randy Pekowski.
