Experts & Opinions
Jun 21, 2023
Face-to-face trade shows were fatally interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies were forced to let go of their exhibit managers, and as a result, they are now filling that function with less experienced personnel. This has highlighted the need for exhibitor education and training of inexperienced personnel in a way that ultimately generates better quality leads that make their follow-up easier for the sales force.
Trade shows are generally a significant cost line item on a company’s marketing budget, and it is no longer cost-effective to simply show up and show off to exhibit.… more
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Jun 14, 2023
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to be the stuff of dreams for event planners, but with the introduction and growing popularity of tools such as ChatGPT, these dreams could soon become reality.
Launched by OpenAI back in June 2020, the AI-based chatbot is creating waves of excitement. With the ability to provide incredibly detailed and human-like responses to highly demanding queries, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the way we gain information.
However, in the event industry, there are still many who question whether the technology will ever be ready for more… more
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Jun 07, 2023
The majority of trade shows that American businesses attend will be on U.S. soil, but there are also significant benefits to exhibiting in the United Kingdom. With the second-largest population in Europe and the sixth-largest economy in the world, the U.K. is a global business hub and an important bridge between the U.S. and Europe.
While the events industry in the U.K. has many similarities to that of the U.S., the terminology used can vary significantly. Below is a glossary of common industry terms and how they differ between the U.S. and the U.K.
“Trade show” (U.S.) Versus “Exhibition” (… more
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May 31, 2023
Advances in natural language understanding (NLU) have made chatbots more than a stopgap for customer service alone. The increased flexibility in their application has allowed organizations to implement AI-powered technology by channel and by purpose to provide intelligent guidance and contextual support for a myriad of business processes and workflows. In the event marketing space, chatbots have now become essential for promoting and even assisting in the management of an event. However, these “virtual agents” offer many advantages beyond a few basic touch points within the customer journey… more
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May 24, 2023
Most event marketers are facing an uphill battle right now as they try to build momentum for their event registrations. Sure, potential attendees may have seen a social post or email about their event, but did that compel them to drop everything and register for it?
Most likely not. In fact, numerous studies have shown that registrants now need between five to 15 touch points before they commit to an event.
As a marketer, you’re doing your best to reach your audience in all the right places. But what if everything you’re doing on your own just isn’t enough? Consider working with an event… more
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May 17, 2023
Navigating a trade show can be a daunting experience for visitors, as the repetitive grid layout, the lack of reference points and the sheer size of events can make it hard to find your way — especially when there are multiple halls.
Post-event surveys often capture verbatim feedback from visitors that cite navigation as a leading source of dissatisfaction with the event experience.
A key obstacle for event organizers in solving this problem is that we are prone to thinking about the visitor journey in the way we want it to happen and overlook the idiosyncrasies of what attending an event… more
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May 09, 2023
Recently, I had a phenomenal connection with an exhibitor at an industry trade show. We really clicked, the conversation flowed and their solution looked like a good fit. So when I got an email from this person after the show, I was excited to open it. Unfortunately, it was a generic follow-up email probably written by their marketing department.
This was just a complete letdown. I was seriously excited to connect again, but then I started to wonder if maybe I was thinking about a different company. Or maybe I didn’t remember the conversation the same way. Or maybe the solution was not as… more
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May 03, 2023
As an event marketer, you know that creating valuable and engaging content for your conference attendees is crucial to the success of your event. However, what happens to all that great content after the conference is over? If you’re not repurposing it, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to reach a wider audience, extend the life of your event, reinforce its value and leverage past event content to promote upcoming events.
Repurposing conference content involves taking the information, insights and ideas presented during your event and transforming them into different formats that… more
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Apr 26, 2023
Many live events and trade shows are back after a long absence and look very different than in the past. There have been changes in the length, structure, format, venue and content — all for the betterment of the event space. It also caused a change in marketing. Promoting a trade show or live event should be just as interactive as the experience, giving rise to short-form video content.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the event space has yet to master this medium. As organizers move into the next generation of trade shows and live events, it’s important to consider the following when using… more
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Apr 19, 2023
As I see the deluge of posts about ChatGPT — mostly humorous queries and B+ grade AI blog posts — I can’t help but feel that most professionals, even those who are typically early adopters, are already being outpaced by the changes in GPT since December.
Unlike other major software developments of the past that are updated incrementally and centrally (i.e. operating systems, video editing software, office software), ChatGPT is spawning — at a daily and even hourly rate — hundreds of new startups leveraging ChatGPT to transform entire disciplines.
Take for example, a recent tweet by Jordan… 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.