Blogs

May 03, 2019
How much does your audience’s happiness mean to you? It turns out that attendee satisfaction is an important factor that is too often overlooked by measuring only exhibitor feedback or not asking the right questions on attendee satisfaction surveys.  Events are at least a grueling 2-3 days with constant mental stimulation, lively conversations that cause voices to crack and literally miles of walking. And while attendees are tasked with the sales, promotional or operational goals they have for attending the event, they still need to check in to the day-to-day work and put out the fires that… more
Apr 30, 2019
Small is the new big. When it comes to trade shows and conferences, purposefully smaller B2B events, delightful consumer-esque experiences and more curated thought leadership are all trending in a very big way. For example, Glossy, a content-first B2B conference company for fashion, beauty, e-commerce has had great success producing (and monetizing) intimate dinners for 15-20 execs at a time in order to foster in-person connections. This might seem high-touch, but it provides a very high return for their A-tier attendees, sponsors and industry execs. Large scale trade show organizers are… more
Apr 24, 2019
The Secrets to Becoming a TSNN Top Trade Show If you pulled back the curtain from the Trade Show News Network team over the last few months, you might reveal something like this: busy event bees crunching numbers of square footage, attendance, venue locations and all the secret ingredients that go into compiling our annual TSNN Top Trade Shows list. But what is the recipe for culminating a place on TSNN’s prestigious list? After attending, reporting on or studying these amazing events, we’ve identified one key one ingredient: Each one on the list knows how to create buzz! If you would… more
Apr 23, 2019
Exhibitions are one of the best ways for marketers to gain face-to-face time with both potential customers and business partners, while also offering them a memorable experience. For this reason, many businesses spend a fortune on modular exhibition booths and promotional material in order to maximize the opportunity.  However, one of the best ways to enhance an exhibition, without breaking the bank, is to make intelligent use of push notifications. In this article, we examine their benefits and the various ways they can be used to improve the attendee experience at your next exhibition or… more
Apr 17, 2019
Why should all event profs stay on top of industry trends? Here’s a solid reason: Business to business trade shows generate a significant amount of revenue for business, consumers and e-commerce globally, and it’s expected to grow past nearly $16.8 billion by 2021, according to PwC. It’s our job at TSNN to report these tips and trends to our audience, especially when it involves how event professionals interact and engage with the world around them. Recently, we were inspired by a webinar discussing how to maximize ROI on venue experience with intelligent digital technology, produced by… more
Apr 16, 2019
Event planners wear a ton of hats. From juggling venues and caterers to managing staff members, selling sponsorships and negotiating with vendors, you have no shortage of responsibilities. If you don’t have an organizational strategy in place, that to-do list can become overpowering. While the highs of successful events are hard to match, the weeks leading up to those events are incredibly stressful. Most event professionals struggle through plenty of sleepless nights as they fret over important details, and they often have too many things on their plates to handle anything time-consuming. … more
Apr 11, 2019
Trade show games will make your booth a fun place to be on the business-like trade show floor. But just because your attendees are having fun doesn’t mean you’re being silly on the company dime – quite the opposite! Trade show games help you achieve serious marketing and sales goals, increasing the return on your marketing investment. Trade show games help increase awareness of your brand While trade shows are a fantastic place to get your company brand in front of thousands of potential buyers, guess what? There are hundreds of other companies who had the same thought and they are doing… more
Apr 09, 2019
Trade shows and sustainability aren’t often associated together. With huge amounts of materials and resources invested into creating single trade show stands (aka, exhibition booths), it’s no surprise that these events produce a high quantity of waste.  As sustainability becomes increasingly important, we make conscious decisions each day to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environment. These same choices can be made when planning an exhibition stand. From reducing energy usage to re-using materials, you can start making changes towards an environmental change.  Choose energy… more
Apr 04, 2019
As most of you know, the safeguarding of personal data or as the GDPR calls it, personally identifiable information (PII), is a hot topic in the trade show industry. This started with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that became EU law on May 25, 2018, and continues with the enactment of several state laws, most notably the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which will become effective on January 1. First, a quick look back at the GDPR The GDPR covers all companies worldwide that work with the personally identifiable information of anyone residing in the EU, either… more
Apr 02, 2019
Events today are much more than the simple gatherings that they used to be. This change can majorly be attributed to the dawn of technology that has made its way into every aspect of event planning and execution. This transformation has made its way to the trade show and exhibitions industry as well. One of the key concepts that are leading this change is lead retrieval. Lead retrieval tools are the new “in” technology in the trade show and exhibitions industry, changing the way organizers facilitate exhibitor ROI through data generation. Before we delve into the topic of lead retrieval… 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