Experts & Opinions

Jul 16, 2020
Teaching proper trade show etiquette to your booth staff is a must if you want to grab attendees’ attention. Properly greeting, understanding expectations and keeping attendees engaged are all highly important and will impact your exhibiting results. Since COVID-19 has brought on what’s now globally known as social distancing, the rules of etiquette are already shifting. Here’s how some etiquette expectations may shift moving forward once trade shows are back up and running. Greeting Attendees It’s important for your booth staff to stand and greet attendees warmly at the front of your… more
Jul 14, 2020
The following blog is a response to a recent article that ran on Barron's. In case you were worried, trade shows are not going away, but they will forever change. And that’s an exciting thing. We at Freeman extend our congratulations to Apple and its marketing teams. Apple's Virtual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) was impressive – excellent, even. After all, it was organized by a company with incredible technology and message discipline wrapped in one of the most potent brand narratives, all built around user-centered design. For WWDC, Apple leveraged all the advantages of a… more
Jul 10, 2020
In the past four months, events have radically shifted from in-person gatherings to virtual events. Speakers play an integral role and can make or break the attendee experience. Understanding the importance presenters play into this dynamic, here are some tips for helping you to create a positive virtual experience for your attendees.  1. Test, Test, Test To ensure everything runs smoothly, schedule a rehearsal with your speakers.  Here is a short checklist of items to practice: Test microphone and audio to confirm optimum sound. Test lighting (i.e., not sitting with back to a window).… more
Jul 06, 2020
While virtual events are not new to the industry, there’s no doubt that the pandemic has accelerated the switch to online-only conferences considerably. In fact, 70 percent of the respondents in this survey report moving their face-to-face event either partially or fully to an online platform.  This shift to virtual will likely go on until the virus is defeated, as new research suggests large-scale events were at the core of the spread of COVID-19, and many experts predict a second wave is still ahead. Now tasked with holding online events that deliver just as much value as in-person ones,… more
Jul 02, 2020
Events, as we know them, have changed, but the power of a live event still lies in the emotional impact of making authentic human connections. To achieve that in our new reality, your brand needs to show attendees that you hear and see them — even if your event is virtual.  Yet too many attendees end up feeling invisible because event planners are still falling short of designing truly inclusive events, according to a recent study from Meeting Professionals International. For example, there’s a general lack of event materials or translation services available in languages other than English… more
Jun 30, 2020
The sudden onset of remote work has impacted companies and organizations across the United States and around the world. It happened almost overnight. The COVID-19 pandemic led business offices to close their doors and employees to find a way to conduct their work from home. We all went from congregating in meeting spaces and around cubicles to interacting “face to face” via our computer screens. For the past few months, we’ve found ourselves catching glimpses of each other’s homes, hearing dogs barks, and listening to children yell and laugh during video conferences. While we’ve never been… more
Jun 24, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic — and the quarantines, venue closures and travel bans that accompanied it — has instantly affected the events industry. It arrived like a natural disaster, altering organizers’ lives and causing everyone to enter emergency mode. The initial impact was quick: About 16% of event staff underwent a pay cut, and more than 30% of organizers postponed their events and trade shows until 2021. But the decision to hold, cancel or reschedule events was just the beginning of a new reality. Industry professionals are frantically trying to pivot into virtual spaces and offer… more
Jun 23, 2020
At a trade show, we used to say you have three seconds to capture the attention of someone walking by your booth. But in a virtual event, engagement isn’t just earned once. You have to earn it again and again. The past few months have reshaped the events industry, but now is the time to accept changes and retool. Virtual events might look a little different, but the goal is the same: to tell your unique story. While most live events have exclusive access to their venues, virtual spaces are shared with a barrage of distractions. Between email notifications, news and streaming services, it’s… more
Jun 18, 2020
As the meetings and events industry continues to navigate the shifting post-pandemic landscape, planning and integrating the multitude of health safety updates will become essential to the successful return of in-person meetings and events. Attendees will require reassurance that the venue and event organizers take adequate precautions to execute social distancing best practices to keep them safe. Going forward, it is the event planner's responsibility to ensure events are prepared and to communicate important health safety information to their participants. As groups begin this monumental… more
Jun 16, 2020
Virtual conferences have now taken a firm hold in the event world, and as organizers grapple with the challenges of recreating physical experiences online, one of the main obstacles they face is boosting monetization.  While the conference experience is no doubt a different one when shifted online, that doesn’t mean it delivers any less value. In fact, in many aspects, digital events can provide new and exciting opportunities for attendees, sponsors and organizers alike, which all stem from its virtual nature. Virtual conferences require the same amount of planning, creativity and hard work… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.