Creative Portal Services Offers Shows Year-round Vendor Portals
August 18, 2013
Some shows still are offering printed show directories, while others include an online exhibitor directory as part of their event website or mobile app. Creative Portal Services is looking to take that a step further with a 365 day a year web vendor portal.
“Thank of it as a giant buyers guide. It can be scaled to any size association,” said Pete Fenlon, executive sales manager for Creative Portal Services.
Fenlon said there are advantages to an organization, and the suppliers who serve the organization’s members, when implementing the portal.
One advantage is in price. Exhibitors and sponsors are looking at smaller budgets and want to spend less money, but still get their information in front of trade show attendees. “When compared to print ads, online advertising offers much better pricing models,” Fenlon said.
An online guide that is available all year makes that ad even more attractive to all suppliers, not just suppliers who exhibit at an organizations annual show. Suppliers who cannot exhibit for one reason or another might still want to participate in the online guide, which creates a new revenue stream.
Jim Wulfekuhle, vice president sales and marketing for the International Woodworking Fair, said, “(It’s a) great product, and one that could truly allow event producers and associations become 365 revenue generators and facilitators of transactions, content, etc.”
There also isa lot of flexibility built in to online advertising. You can offer everything from a simple listing that links back to the vendor’s site, to more comprehensive ads that can include pictures, video and downloadable content.
Creative Portal Services works on a revenue sharing model. They manage the sales process and take on all the design and project management. “We’re a brand new bottom line revenue source for associations and shows. We customize the portals to each show’s needs,” Fenlon said.
Ad rates are based on a CPM model, and Fenlon said that each organization’s click through rates and industry standards will determine advertising pricing.
Because of the visual aspect of the advertisements and the ability for the advertiser to include so much information, the hope is search engines will find the content in the portal attractive as well.
That means the advertisers not only are exposed to an organization’s member companies, but also to the end consumer as well which will drive demand for the product.
Wulfekuhle also sees a portal such as this as a way to enable more event incubation or expansion of existing events, where a successful online category could move on to the showfloor.
To view a mock-up of the portal visit http://www.supply2build.com/.
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
Add new comment