Experts & Opinions
May 23, 2017
Most of us have heard a variation of this question at some point in our lives: if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do the same?
The point of this rhetorical question was meant to drive home the concept of exploring your own path rather than following in the footsteps of others. It was great advice but as marketers, many of us find ourselves following the industry pack and landing on the hard ground of unoriginality.
Best practices exist for a reason. They lay the foundation and give marketers a solid starting point. But we live in an increasingly competitive age where consumers… more
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May 18, 2017
My company has been providing shipping and transport cases for the trade show industry for many years. As such, we’ve operated out on the periphery, which has given us a unique perspective. We get a “big picture” view of industry movements and trends a bit earlier than specialized companies more deeply entrenched in industry segments.
The Industry Is Taking a Greater Toll on Earth’s Resources
Through the years, I’ve watched the industry evolve in several ways. For example, the number of cases per show (and the case sizes) has continued to increase along with greater booth design complexity.… more
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May 16, 2017
During the recent SISO CEO Summit, I presented to delegates some highlights from my white paper: How to structure the events organizer of the future. Essentially, it’s a survival checklist that every event organizer should follow.
Why? Because right now, the business of organizing events is being tested. Exhibitors and attendees are asking for more. The digital revolution is encroaching on the event industry and competition is intensifying. Making structural changes – even those that challenge the status quo – within the organization will enable event organizers to thrive in an era of massive… more
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May 12, 2017
Good news for trade show organizers: According to a recent Attendee Acquisition Benchmarks and Trends Study, 66 percent of organizations are expecting increased attendance in 2017.
So, while this optimistic outlook is encouraging, how should you go about getting your share of this increased attendance? In other words, how do you grow your trade show?
Target Executive-Level Professionals. A study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) indicated that the majority of first-time attendees at trade shows are executive-level professionals who have the authority to make… more
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May 09, 2017
You know that your booth staffers are one of your most valuable, if not the most valuable asset when exhibiting at a trade show or hosting a business event. However, you may feel like you have little to no control over how they perform at the show. Yet, by selecting the right staffers, offering appropriate incentives, recognition and training, you can be sure they will rise to the challenge and become excellent brand ambassadors for your company.
Make Staffers Accountable
For example, if you have no accountability for the leads or connections that they make at the trade show, they… more
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May 04, 2017
“Video Killed the Radio Star,” by The Buggles rang through my ears as I sat and pondered the future of this dynamic industry we work in – the Events Industry. All of us who are truly ingrained in it bring our own unique perspectives to this enigmatic topic. But most, I think, will agree with me when I say that our great industry will not “go gentle into that good night.” No matter what tests potential challengers – be it second screen distractions or virtual reality – pose, face-to-face interactions will always have more value than what any digital means can provide.
Let’s focus on just one… more
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May 02, 2017
Of all the types of event data we deal with at Bear Analytics, attendee verification data is one of the least exciting, but failure to understand who truly attends your trade show, conference or event robs your logistics and marketing teams of critical insights that can fuel event growth and more sophisticated forecasting and marketing.
Do you know how your event’s AOV coding is generated? Do you know, for sure, which registrants actually attended your last show?
Most large trade shows adhere to the Advance/Onsite/Verified (AOV) framework when it comes to verifying that a registrant actually… more
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Apr 25, 2017
Some of the most innovative and influential ideas for brand experiences come when people with diverse perspectives come together. We believe in “intersectional design thinking” – the power of bringing together diverse viewpoints to solve a challenge or think creatively about an opportunity.
But the act of bringing people together doesn’t always result in breakthrough thinking. The difference between a great brainstorm and a KILLER brainstorm is not leaving it to chance. As a facilitator, there are five important pieces to the brainstorm puzzle you can use to guide the… more
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Apr 21, 2017
Recently, I was reading a blog for sales professionals: 4 Trends Dominating Customer Engagement That Sales Teams Need to Know About. It highlighted the fact that customers are more informed than ever about the product or service you (the sales professional) are attempting to sell them.
The information age has increased the transparency of the consumer -sales person dynamic. This transparency also, logically, applies to your competitor’s product/service(s). The standard practice today is to Google everything before getting on the phone with you or your company. You… more
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Apr 21, 2017
So, how do we do this? Before you can personalize anything, you need to know who you are talking to. As usual, the champion (and yet at times the thorn in any marketer’s side) is DATA. You need to know and collect as much information from your exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees as possible. I know that this is no easy feat if one is new to digital marketing but start by taking baby steps.
Take a look at your current databases and lists. What information do you already have that can help you know your email recipients on a more personal level? I bet you know their first name! This then… more
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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