Experts & Opinions

Jul 17, 2019
Trade shows, expos, fairs, fundraisers, you name it – events are changing and integrating new technologies to make the experience more engaging and interactive for participants. Event planners are working hard to improve the guest experience and make visits memorable and engaging. But time and attention are limited, and finding the right mix of tech can be a challenge.  Technology serves an important role in the success of events but must be user-friendly and complement the event’s goal. If the time and effort to use certain tools outweighs the value, it can overwhelm visitors.  Below are… more
Jul 15, 2019
A lot of time and money go into your exhibit. But are you doing everything you can before the show to ensure your show presence earns a return on investment? A majority of attendees already have a list of what booths to visit, so you have to ensure that your target market knows that you will be there and what you have to offer them. Effective pre-show marketing will help draw traffic to your booth, as well as maximize the qualified leads you gather at each event. Choosing Promotional Outlets  Email and Social Social media and email marketing form the backbone of most exhibitors’ pre-show… more
Jul 11, 2019
As we bask in warmer weather, it’s time to plan the perfect outdoor event experience to impress and engage attendees. This summer, it’s important to incorporate fresh trends and make your event unique and unforgettable. This season, think sustainability and go organic with a botanical theme, or infuse industrial chic furnishings for a modern look that embraces casual sophistication and an environmentally friendly atmosphere.  Environmentally Friendly  Consumers are increasingly aware of their impact on the world. Think about how you can plan events that are zero-waste or waste-reduced to… more
Jul 08, 2019
You’ve chosen your city and now need to schedule a visit to meet important contacts at your venue and start planning your event. From working on events of all sizes in my previous career, and now as senior manager of operations for CES, I’ve learned many critical pieces of knowledge along the way. Here are some tips that have worked best for me. Determine a date for your site visit. Six to eight months out, work with your facility contact to decide on timing and think through the vendors you will want to meet. Who will have a large role in special areas on the show floor? Who will you be… more
Jul 01, 2019
The Experiential Marketing Summit provides educational opportunities from some of the world’s leading brands including Pepsi, General Mills, IBM and dozens more. This past May, over 1700 marketers descended upon Las Vegas to experience the world’s largest conference on experiential marketing… and I was fortunate to be one of them. Here are 4 tips that I picked up on and I hope you find useful. Tip 1: Movement Will Always Grab Your Attention I’ve seen quite a few exhibits over the past 10 years working at The Expo Group and one thing remains constant no matter the event or the size of the… more
Jun 27, 2019
If you want to have a successful event, you must include a social media campaign. Start with a focused strategy that targets who you want to come to your event, who is actually going to your event, and who wishes they came and will attend next time. One thing you can be certain of – everyone has a phone. Make sure they are all talking about your event. Get started by breaking down your social media event strategy into three parts: before, during and after. Before the event Build anticipation to get everyone excited about your event. Tease them with sneak peeks. Hold “reveals” for key… more
Jun 25, 2019
Most trade show booth traffic is “passive.”People passing the booth recognize the company name and look to see “what’s new.”Others recognize the equipment on display and decide they want to learn more. Exhibitors who rely on passive traffic alone, however, miss out on a huge number of qualified prospects who simply don’t “see” their booth or actively choose to ignore it.  Expert exhibitors know maximizing the number of qualified leads they get from each show means actively attracting traffic to their booth and enticing qualified buyers into the booth to meet the booth team. So how do you… more
Jun 20, 2019
Trade shows are a time to get away, network with other people in your industry, make new friends and promote your business. For other vendors, trade shows are simply a way of life because it’s the lifeblood of their business. No matter which category you fall into, you must take trade show security into consideration. If you don’t, all that fun can go away in a moment because of one little security slip.  Who’s on the Take When we talk about preventing theft from your trade show booth, most of us think about the shifty-eyed criminal walking around in a hoodie and casing all the displays.… more
Jun 17, 2019
When I was in my previous career in marketing and communications, I worked on a team that planned corporate events. My role was graphic design, so I didn’t usually offer input about much other than fonts and colors. At the same time, being green was super-important to me in my personal life. And I saw lots of opportunities for my team’s events to be more sustainable. I wondered for a long time how to propose the idea of greener events to the team. Would my boss and the team leaders think I was being presumptuous? Would they be willing to change the way we had always done things? Presenting… more
Jun 13, 2019
There’s always that one booth on the trade showfloor. It’s the booth that everyone talks about, that people call their friends over to see, where people are constantly taking photos. How do you build that booth?  There are a few different ways to make that sort of stand-out booth design, a booth that provides a memorable experience and drives the kind of interactions you want with potential clients and partners. At a recent event I attended in Las Vegas, I noticed a few particular booth ideas that stood out from the crowd. Make It Larger Than Life The interior of one particular booth… 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.