Experts & Opinions
Jun 12, 2020
Diversity at events encompasses more than just race and ethnicity. It includes people of different generations, physical abilities, genders, education levels and more. When everyone is welcome, more inclusive events result in greater conversation and insights, increased community and a broader, more engaged audience.
Last year at Greenbuild 2019 in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to hear George Bandy Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer of Mohawk Group, speak. He said, “We have a profound sense of responsibility to believe in humanity and nature and advance our shared mission of a more… more
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Jun 10, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the events industry. We know it’s unlikely that it will just be “over” and things will “go back to normal.” While it’s disheartening to think of what we’ve lost as an industry, we have the exciting opportunity to build a new and better events model. Once in-person events return, building a hybrid meetings model could position your organization for even greater success.
A virtual component added to your in-person experience, whether it is part of a single large annual event or separate stand-alone virtual conferences that connect stakeholders throughout the… more
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Jun 04, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis has forced physical events all over the world to go digital for the first time. Tasked with making this approach work, many event organizers are now seeking innovative ways to recreate in-person engagement in a virtual environment.
While this is no doubt a challenge that requires a carefully thought-out strategy, there is considerable potential for driving interaction and audience participation within digital conferences. In fact, research has shown that 47 percent of people are more likely to ask a question at a virtual event and 37 percent are more likely to speak to a… more
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Jun 02, 2020
Bringing events back, whether they are trade shows, conferences or entertainment, is crucial to restoring vitality to the overall economy and the industry we love.
I live and work in Las Vegas, which hosts some of the most amazing trade shows and conventions, like MAGIC, COSMOPROF North America and IMEX America, attracting exhibitors and attendees from all over the world. Not only do these shows bring in the tourism Las Vegas enjoys, but they also provide employment for more than 100,000 workers in a multitude of different service, hospitality, production and construction industries in… more
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May 28, 2020
As an events professional accustomed to working on-site at conferences and trade shows, you’re used to running around the showfloor, grabbing just a few fleeting moments throughout your jam-packed day to sit down, take your shoes off and relax your tired body. But now, with most of us strapped to our home desk chairs and likely spending more time than we’d like on video conferences, we’re facing a different set of aches and pains – those that come from lack of activity, slouching over a computer and hours of sitting.
To help rejuvenate your body as well as calm any anxiety that you might… more
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May 26, 2020
Has a cancelled or postponed trade show made you feel stuck and wondering when you’ll be able to pick up where you left off? You don’t have to wait until trade shows can resume to push toward the goals you had made prior to cancellations. Having a contingency plan can help keep you on track toward your trade show marketing goals, rather than letting your efforts fall stagnant.
Continue with planned meetings.
If you had plans to meet with prospective or current clients at your cancelled trade show, don’t let these important interactions slip through your fingers! It’s essential that you… more
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May 21, 2020
It seems like every trade show and event is “pivoting” to virtual right now. For those live events that didn’t integrate a virtual component before COVID-19, it’s been a painful lesson as they struggle to adapt – and quickly. Regardless of what’s happening in the world, virtual should now be a natural extension of any live event, one that provides an even greater opportunity for any organization to further its mission.
There are obvious and not-so-obvious benefits to offering a virtual option. Not only are more people able to access your content, but it also provides critical access to… more
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May 19, 2020
In normal times, you probably exhibited at 10-15 trade shows a year. Once you got back to the office after three days of shaking hands and exchanging business cards, you most likely shoved everything into storage and got back to the business challenges of the day. But these are not normal times.
Now that the halls are clear and your office is quiet, you have ample time to pull everything (and I mean everything) out of that designated trade show area. Not only will you feel more organized when it’s over, but you and your team will also know what you have on hand and be able to put together a… more
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May 15, 2020
With the majority of live trade shows put on ice until later this year or 2021, now is the time for many exhibiting companies to re-evaluate their show calendars and weed out those events that are no longer working for their sales and marketing goals. But how do you know whether to stay or go? Read on to learn the telltale signs of when it’s time to move on to new opportunities.
You know the feeling when you just went to a trade show and it was not as successful as you know it should be? Whether you did a formal ROI analysis or just noticed that the lead quality (or quantity) was not worth… more
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May 12, 2020
Anyone who was invested in the trade show business BC (before COVID-19) is naturally trying to predict the PC marketplace and what safe will look and feel like. From organizers and exhibitors to attendees and the local communities that host them, everyone wants a date on the calendar for when we can walk the aisles again without feeling careless or dangerous.
Since being laid off in mid-March from my job as head of marketing and communications for one of the largest international trade show organizers in the U.S., two things have become clear: 1) that date on the calendar may be a long way… more
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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.