Trade Show Leader: National Restaurant Association’s Mary Pat Heftman

Mary Pat Heftman has full responsibility for strategic development, execution and promotion of the annual New England Food Show and the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) /BAR @ NRA Show, the largest annual food and beverage tradeshow in the world.  She is also involved with strategic alliance development and oversees contracting for all Association meetings.

Amp Up Your Hype and Design Anticipation for Your Next Event

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Sat, 07/16/2016 - 21:18

Can you design anticipation? Get people so excited about your event that they are literally counting down the days until it kicks off?

That’s how I felt leading up to this year’s Coachella — and it got me thinking about brand experiences. Statistics show that our current generation puts much greater value on experiences and events than ever before. But what makes certain events stand out? How can you amp up your hype?

Jenny Wang

Jenny Wang is an associate strategist at FreemanXP, where she works on portfolio planning, research strategies, and brand messaging to help her clients reach success. 

3 Unique Trade Show Booth ideas that increase Attendee Engagement & Buzz

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Sat, 07/16/2016 - 21:03

Unique trade show ideas and promotional concepts can help make your booth exhibit an amazing experience and sought after destination for attendees at your special event, trade show and convention.  

Successful exhibitors are constantly on the lookout for new, creative marketing concepts that differentiate their display areas from the competition and attract crowds that ultimately convert into new sales revenue. Stick out from the sea of other exhibition booths and provide your attendee with instant excitement and value.  

Randy Doran

Randy Doran is the Co-Owner & Photographer at NextGen Event Co., (http://nextgeneventco.com) an Experiential Event company that specializes in brand activations that drive engagement, brand awareness and social media exposure onsite for brands.

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