Blogs
May 14, 2016
When it comes to summer events, radio-frequency technology - whether it’s RFID or NFC - is the new black (or tie dye). Whether you’re planning a music festival, a maker faire, or a lawn and garden show, wearables with embedded RF chips or tags open up a world of possibilities for organizers and attendees.
The Basics: RFID vs. NFC
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) work similarly:
When Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used, information (usually a unique number) is transmitted from an encoded memory chip (known as a “smart tag”) via an… more
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May 07, 2016
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. " - John F. Kennedy
Many of us have as much joyful anticipation of going to a business retreat or planning meeting as having a root canal. However, as I look back on my career, one particular meeting stands out in a very positive way.
The focus of the meeting was to take a look at ourselves and business model and relate it to change. We were shown a video by Joel Barker on paradigms and how they structure our behavior. A paradigm centers on a theory or a group of ideas about how… more
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May 07, 2016
Forty-six percent of decision-makers attending trade shows determine what to purchase during the course of the event. If you can deliver a strong impression during your next trade show, you stand a better chance of selling your products to those in attendance - making the trade show well worth your investment of time and money. To stand out from the rest, use our 8 foolproof ways to make a great impression.
1. Invest in displays and custom tents.
If you have a colorful, branded trade show booth, visitors will be drawn to your display. Investing in custom tents, banners, flags, and custom… more
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May 01, 2016
Fact: There are dozens of mobile event app companies. However, having more options doesn’t make your job any easier.
Fact: Most apps have the basic features that you want. From Alerts, Schedules, Exhibitor Listings, and Social Engagement … name it and most apps have it.
Fact: Not all mobile app providers are created equal.
I recently attended AENC’s Technology Conference and one of the sessions really resonated with me. It was called Questions I Wish People Would Ask. Being in a sales position, I love it when prospective clients ask questions but I appreciate it… more
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May 01, 2016
If you’ve got a product or concept to sell, a trade show can be a great venue to demonstrate your solution for a receptive audience. But before you can make a sale or find an investor or development partner, you’ll have to capture the attention of trade show attendees. And remember — you’ll have a lot of competition since fellow exhibitors will also be pulling out all the stops to make sure potential buyers focus on their products instead.
What you’ll need for a successful trade show experience is a way to cut through the sensory overload and get your message across to the people who… more
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Apr 23, 2016
There are great technology advances to monitor where your attendees go on the show floor and in your booth. But, what data pieces are key to track and apply to your trade show marketing strategy?
Where does your attendee go, and linger? One key element to track with your booth, or conference, to determine how your traffic is faring is actual traffic patterns. Where do your attendees go, and how do they get there? Where do they congregate, and what areas are they skipping entirely?
How they move within your booth can show you dead space, or space where you could add… more
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Apr 23, 2016
The IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) is just a few days away, and its approach has me looking at some of the lessons I learned (some the hard way) and issues like the wage gap that many woman are still facing today.
Bridging the Gap
I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and had a promising foundation for future career success. In June of 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, which should have signaled the end to gender discrimination in our country. Title IX gave me access to sports and an understanding of fair competition.
I had grandparents who were… more
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Apr 16, 2016
Business-to-business marketing presents unique challenges not faced when marketing to consumers. Businesses take the time to carefully evaluate each product or service for its potential return on investment and rely on trusted partnerships and outstanding customer service.
Trade shows provide marketers the chance to effectively target, market and connect with potential buyers, which is key in securing healthy business-to-business marketing ROI. Read the three tips below, and find out how a properly executed trade show campaign can help you increase your marketing return.
1. Businesses… more
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Apr 16, 2016
"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - Prison Warden, Cool Hand Luke
Technology has changed our lives dramatically, especially in terms of communication. The Millennial Generation has no concept of what life was like in the “good old days”.
The company for which I was a publisher started an international magazine in the mid-1960’s and subsequently established a sales office in the Netherlands. Back then, to make an international phone call was like taking your bank account and signing it over to Ma Bell; so the firm had to devise a way for the Dutch office to communicate with the… more
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Apr 09, 2016
Everywhere you turn there seems to be advice on leadership and the important role of senior management in an organization. While every company needs great leaders, your employees are a vital force in your company. By investing in your workforce you are helping to create long-term and loyal employees who are your organization’s leading brand ambassadors.
Your employees have a hands-on understanding of your clients and their needs. Employees who communicate often and build relationships with your clients can anticipate what it will take to provide great customer service, which in turn creates… 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