Experts & Opinions

Feb 27, 2020
At trade shows and conventions, it can be hard to set yourself apart when you’re competing against hundreds of other brands for attendee engagement. Here’s where a uniquely designed booth can be the difference between blending in, and standing out from the crowd. Take a chance and step out from the comfort zone of black and white furnishings to help your booth shine bright and leave a lasting impression on guests.   Dare with Dramatic Seating  While a majority of exhibitors will incorporate neutral seating options, take the opportunity to differentiate your brand with colorful soft seating… more
Feb 25, 2020
In my earlier blogs, I’ve talked about pampering your exhibit staff and making sure they’re as comfortable as possible when they’re on the road and working at a trade show. But what about you, the exhibit manager – who’s the ultimate road warrior? What do you do for yourself? Here are five things that I do for myself to make my life on the road as a Booth Mom easier: 1. Buy comfortable shoes  I buy the most expensive, comfortable shoes I can afford. If I really like the look, I buy both my usual size and a pair ½-size larger. I wear the usual size in the morning and switch after lunch to… more
Feb 20, 2020
In Part 1 of this article, we broke down the features, benefits and strategies to mitigate risk for selecting tablets, kiosks and TV screens. In Part 2, we will cover computer monitors, projectors and video walls built from LED tiles. Computer Monitors  Computer monitors are quite often much smaller than TV screens and come in a smaller range of sizes. Many TVs come in sizes in excess of 50 inches, while computer monitors often top out at only 30 inches. Typically, computer monitors have more pixels per inch than TV screens because they are designed for up close, long-term viewing. Choose… more
Feb 17, 2020
Did you know that the biggest climate change impact from your event happens before your event even begins? That’s because travel is the top contributor of greenhouse gas emissions from events. According to calculations by MeetGreen in 2014, for an association conference of 5,000 attendees, 80% of the event’s emissions came solely from travel. Thankfully, there’s a helpful tool event organizers can use to negate the impact of attendee travel: carbon offsets. The concept behind carbon offsets is that an individual or company can offset the impact of their greenhouse gas emissions by… more
Feb 13, 2020
If you’re organizing an event, online exposure is critical to sell admission and get people through the door. Social media has quickly emerged as the single most crucial factor in online digital marketing campaigns, with Facebook and Instagram leading the way. While organic social media has been an important force over the years, the potential reach of organic campaigns is often much lower than people think. In order to make a real impact, it’s more important than ever to focus on the paid side of social media.  Organic growth seems to be diminishing before our eyes, with Facebook recording… more
Feb 11, 2020
When hosting a trade show or conference, an event badge can play a significant role in how attendees remember their experience. If you’re planning an event this year, put some extra effort into creating a winning badge that will help brand your event. Color-coding badges to easily identify speakers, exhibitors, volunteers and attendees not only makes it easier for event participants but also for security personnel to see, at a glance, that people are in the right areas at all times. When creating a badge for your trade show, think about how to make it stand out, easy to read and, most of all… more
Feb 06, 2020
Digital images displayed on digital screen displays open up a new world of changeable and moving images. When it comes to selecting digital displays, exhibitors are faced with a staggering choice of options, from small tablets to mid-sized TV screens and multi-panel digital walls. If there is video input, virtually any display screen can be adapted for use at an exhibit. But to help you pick the optimum hardware for your budget, venue and expected audience, we’ve broken down the features, benefits and strategies to mitigate risks of each type of display. Tablets  Tablets such as the Apple… more
Feb 04, 2020
Connecting with people – whether that’s your team, attendees or partners – is essential in order to thrive at exhibitions. It can help you manage your staff more effectively, make the event run as smoothly as possible and generate leads to help increase your return on investment. But how you engage with people can vary according to your communication style.  As the managing director of Expo Stars, I’m a big fan of the iMA communication tool, which was designed by James Knight and is a powerful universal language, created to maximize relationship building and used by business leaders across… more
Jan 30, 2020
As an event organizer, you know that event networking is critical to the attendee experience. Therefore, it’s also critical to your event’s success. Event engagement is a key driver of ROI, as well.  But that’s not surprising. What is surprising is how often event organizers don’t create networking opportunities for their attendees — especially because prioritizing event networking is one of the easiest ways planners can help their exhibitors nurture leads into prospects.  By prioritizing event networking, event organizers do far more than improve attendee experience — they also improve ROI… more
Jan 28, 2020
There’s no question about it, exhibiting at a trade show can be expensive. There are the booth cost, show services and other essentials that will help draw in attendees to your exhibit. However, it’s essential to keep these expenses under control. Here’s a summary of 10 ways to do just that.  Map Out All Your Costs  According to EXHIBITOR Magazine, the average trade show budget breaks down in five broad categories. For example, if your budget is $45,000, you can expect to pay the following percentage for dollars for each: Booth Space and Contents (51% - $22,950) Personnel, Travel,… 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.