Blogs

Jun 19, 2018
What is Structured Data? Simply put, structured data is a way for web developers to help search engines understand the content of your page. It is markup added to a web page that tells a search engine like Google specifics about your page information. Google’s crawler can do amazing things but it can’t always pull the right information from a web page. For example, if you own a restaurant and have a website, Google can’t automatically decipher the name, address and hours for your restaurant without a little help. That’s where structured data comes in. If you embed specialized markup in your… more
Jun 14, 2018
If you are like many exhibitors, industry trade shows are an opportunity to put your best foot forward. You have a captive audience of customers, prospects and industry peers that demand you go all out to position your company, products and services in the most positive light.  How do you do it? For starters, you should be leveraging the suite of ever-evolving event technologies rather than taking a formula approach and using exactly what you did last year. Using a fresh approach, driven by leading-edge event technologies, will enable you to create the greatest impact. Begin with a strategic… more
Jun 12, 2018
I’ve been in the brand experience business for more than 20 years. During that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a sponsorship work and why.  For most of our clients, it all comes down to budget. There’s a lot to accomplish and there never seems to be enough money. This is why sponsorships are so attractive – they provide an additional source of revenue to help offset costs and an additional activation to complement brand strategies. At the same time, that doesn’t mean we should just plop a sponsorship into an event and pat ourselves on the back.  When I went to work for… more
Jun 07, 2018
While trade shows are predominantly still in-person affairs, there is an increasingly important digital component that goes into making an event a success. Your business’s participation in a trade show should involve your entire network – and your social channels are critical in engaging with and building your audience. With these five tips for incorporating social media into your next trade show, you’ll be sure to capitalize on your efforts and make the event worth your while.  Hashtags Are Your Friend At least on certain networks. Use them on Instagram and Twitter; leave them out on… more
Jun 05, 2018
Due to recent attacks on public events, it is becoming increasingly important for conferences and events to review their security. As the Head of Security of Swedish security and luxury hotel At Six in Stockholm, I have created six tips on how to achieve more secure public meetings and events. There is an increased need and demand for security hotels due to the many tragic incidents in the last years. Security issues need to be more prioritized in the hotel and conference industry today. As a meeting place for large groups of people, we must do our utmost to ensure their safety as much as we… more
May 31, 2018
I love the challenges they bring. I love the successes we share.I love the people they embrace. I love the anticipation from standing there on opening morning, through months and thousands of hours of hard work from everyone involved, to see people turning up. To see people walking in, with their own little face of excitement about what they're going to see today.Which leads me on to my point for Global Exhibitions Day 2018. People.GED is a day chosen to celebrate our industry and tell people on a global scale how great we are. How diverse we are. How exciting we can be! It's also a day for… more
May 30, 2018
For many corporate marketing or event departments, getting approval to add employee headcount is close to impossible. You may only have enough work to justify a part-time resource, or your events may be seasonal. Hiring a contract event manager can be a great way to make sure you get what you pay for, without excess overhead. What — you have some doubts? Let us guess: “But will they do as good of a job?” “How hard will they work if they’re not officially part of the company?” Important questions, certainly. Of course, you want to hire professionals who believe that “do good work” is a… more
May 24, 2018
Organizing and planning your business expo or event is difficult enough, let alone trying to get people to show up! Unfortunately, relying on the distribution of flyers, mail invites and word-of-mouth will not guarantee you the results of a successful event. Luckily, utilizing the power of social media allows you to expand your audience reach and generate buzz about your event online. Here are some social media tactics that have remained relevant, as well as upcoming trends to be aware of: 1.The Facebook basics With over 650 million active users, this is a slice of the pie you can’t afford… more
May 22, 2018
There’s no one secret to success when it comes to pulling off a successful trade show. Your preparation, goals, staff and presentation all contribute to your success and it pays to reflect on what you did well and where you can improve for the next time. A properly thought-out and well-written post-show report will be your blueprint for an improved showing in the future. Prepare and Take Notes Trade shows can keep a person very busy, there are a lot of things that need to be done and you’ll probably have a lot on your mind. Make an effort to find some time to write some notes over the… more
May 17, 2018
This is the third in a series of articles by Core-apps about Event Tech Trends Event organizers know the event app landscape continues to evolve. From changes in the Apple App Store to a continuous flood of startups, products and services penetrating the marketplace. Event organizers have no shortage of options to get an app out there, but one element of event app creation that should be consistent regardless of the platform is the user experience and the creative execution.  Here are some tips event organizers should consider as they work with their app team on the best possible UX (user-… more
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