Blogs
Aug 10, 2013
Trade shows are the places for exhibitors to shine and present their products or services in the best possible light. Even if you have the most attractive trade show booth with banners and an awesome pop-up display, you can still make mistakes.
1. Annoying Barriers
Trade show tables are a must, but did you know if you place them in front of your booth space and sit behind them it creates a barrier between you and the attendees? Place display tables at an angle in the corners of your space or off to one side so you're free to meet, greet, and get to know the attendees.
2. Nobody Knows… more
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Aug 10, 2013
Planning for a trade show can be intense and overwhelming, even for seasoned exhibitors, so when you reach out to your exhibitors you want to quickly and easily explain to them why taking advantage of different eco-friendly sponsorships can help their business and the planet.
Here are Three Strategies for Selling Trade Show Sponsorships with an Environmental Edge
Branded Recycling Bins - Recycling bins should be located in a high-traffic area so people can easily dispose of their empty soda and water bottles and other recyclable materials right?
Emblazoning a recycling bin with a company… more
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Aug 01, 2013
In a recent blog post on btoboonline.com (“I just flew in from the trade show and boy are the booths tired“), Tom Nightingale laments the poor trade show habits of exhibitors at a show he just attended, and offered 7 concise, valuable tips on how exhibitors could do better.
Tom was frustrated that, even with the wealth of best practices available with just a Google search, too many exhibitors were not searching for and implementing exhibiting best practices. I know we’ve tried to help them, too – we’ve published about 200,000 words on this blog over the… more
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Aug 01, 2013
How often have you sat in a presentation and said to yourself, “Wow, this is so boring … I can’t sit through another meeting like this”. Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, when was the last time you left a meeting inspired and confident about what you just heard? There’s no better way to influence customers (and even co-workers) than by delivering an effective and motivating presentation.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours working with GES’ sales teams presenting designs to our clients and prospects. The list below contains… more
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Jul 26, 2013
Planning and executing a successful trade show isn't smoke and mirrors. People love attending trade shows, and vendors are excited to show their stuff and make new leads and connections. So, the basis for your show already is in place. All you have to do is set it up and market it smartly.
Choose a Convenient Venue
Small cities and towns may offer only a single venue suitable for a trade show. But if you're in a larger city, you'll want to select a venue that's easy for non-locals to find, and convenient for everyone to get to. Make sure it's accessible by tractor-… more
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Jul 26, 2013
I think we can all agree that trade show communication (pre, during and post) is vital to increase booth traffic and lead generation.
So, how do you work to get that necessary trade show communication just right (or write, as the case may be)? This is important whether you are developing the copy yourself or using the services of the professional writer, as you can use these tips for your own work or to review someone else’s work.
Get your thoughts in order. You need to work on getting your thoughts down and organized. When you are doing this, think of… more
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Jul 20, 2013
There is a very interesting tidal shift in the U.S tradeshow industry. It’s a well sailed ocean in Europe, but a new current here.
What’s the big splash? Cities investing in tradeshows. I am not talking about wooing shows to the city. I am talking about money on the table types of partnerships.
As we all know, the German Messe’s have long owned and operated tradeshows on behalf their cities. In addition, they have branched out all over the world with excellent results. Messe Deusseldorf alone has events in 13 OTHER countries (now including the U.S.) than… more
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Jul 20, 2013
Earlier this year, I wrote a surprisingly popular blog post called “44 Things A Booth Staffer Does.” Some readers were amazed at the wide range of skills and tasks booth staffers require, while other readers wanted to share with their naïve peers just how much staffers actually do.
That led me to think about the job of your biggest booth staffer. And I’m not talking about that body builder from sales, or the big cheese CEO. I’m talking about your trade show booth.
Trade show displays are multitasking marvels made of metal, wood, fabric and more.… more
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Jul 13, 2013
Tradeshows are a great way to reconnect with your existing clients, while also reaching out to new customers. We all know that these events take a lot of planning and organization, but your hard work really pays off when you build your brand and expand your customer base. Tradeshows also can take a toll on the environment, though, as they are responsible for generating tons of waste. In fact, according to data from Smash Hit Displays, the tradeshow industry is second only to the construction industry in the amount of waste we create. So what can we do?
Here are five easy ways to reduce… more
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Jul 13, 2013
Perhaps you are an exhibit marketer who has yet to send your first Tweet, write your first blog post, or record your first YouTube video. Or maybe social media has already become a regular part of your trade show promotions. Either way, what’s next?
Whether you are a social media rookie, a digital native, or somewhere in between, there is a progression of tactics you can follow to expand your reach, influence, relationships, and results.
Here are the seven levels of social media, for business to business marketers, and especially trade show marketers:
Level 1: … 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