Turn Satisfied Attendees into Influential Brand Advocates for Your Event
April 14, 2013
According to a report published by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the primary reason attendees decide to go to a specific show is through someone they know or by word of mouth.
We intuitively recognize this fact to be universally true for any given vertical. The decisions we ourselves make every day as consumers tend to be heavily influenced by the recommendations our peers make.
To attract and engage new audiences and to grow their events, tradeshow organizers not only need to provide a stellar experience to their attendees, but they also should proactively identify the people who are most passionate about their event and then provide them with timely opportunities to spread the word.
Smart technology can help facilitate this process in a big way. Show organizers can provide pre-show online promotional tools to their exhibitors to reach out to buyers in their own network and motivate them to attend the event.
They can also use analytical tools to recognize and reward attendees who are proactive in building their expo plans and connecting with other attendees before the event.
At the show, management should consider providing solutions that can encourage supercharged attendees to post positive reviews and favorable testimonials in real-time, during a time when they are most engaged with the event.
Customers who are invested in your brand and satisfied with their attendee experience will be more than happy to spread the word.
The Harvard Business Review recently shared a useful management tip on their blog that echoes this idea.
To quote HBR, “Give them the option to easily post a recommendation to their Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections, and Twitter followers. Try giving them the tools to write a product review on a site important to your market. Or make it simple for them to upload a video singing your praises.”
Have you implemented any powerful technological solutions that helped you turn enthusiastic attendees into crowd pullers for your show? If yes, we would love to hear about your insights from the experience!
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
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