Experts & Opinions
Jan 09, 2015
I read a tech crunch article recently about Microsoft buying Mojang (makers of Minecraft) for the mere sum of $2.5 billion dollars. If you have a child in the tween age bracket, I don’t need to explain what Minecraft is. This popular video game was founded with the understanding that gamers want to contribute and participate, not simply consume the game. I thought about it and believe there are some parallels that are applicable to the live events industry.
How does this relate to our industry? We’re seeing this same shift with attendees.
Here’s the trend that stuck out to me the most (and… more
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Jan 04, 2015
I always start my New Year’s resolutions early. I feel that getting a jump start on the New Year is a great way to, well, get a jump start on the New Year! Here is a list of things event managers can do now to prepare for 2015.
Check your inventory: The end of the year is a great time to review your inventory of both trade show graphics and items you have in your ‘must take to each show’ stash. Throw away graphics that are old, ratted, or no longer relevant (you are paying for storing those, so do you really need to keep them ‘just in case’?) For that ‘must take… more
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Jan 04, 2015
Going green is a constantly evolving practice. As technologies improve and ideas are spread, there are always new ways to make your next event greener than the last. One of the keys to throwing a green event is surrounding yourself with eco-minded individuals who understand and support the cause. Make sure your green dream team is ready to make 2015 a great year for trade shows with these four ways to green your trade show team in 2015.
1. Get together, make a plan and define some goals. Determine the emissions thresholds or how much energy is acceptable to use… more
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Dec 20, 2014
Shift from cold calls to connect calls. Using this script below you will be able to show your prospects that you understand their pain points.
Following up on leads you gathered at a trade show can be challenging. If you took the time to take notes on your interaction that will make things easier. You’ll know what products they have shown interest and whether they are ready to move forward.
Keeping the notes you made in mind, here are some additional questions that will show your prospects that you have their needs in mind, not yours.
“A lot of time, when I talk to companies like yours… more
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Dec 20, 2014
A recent study by American Express found 90 percent of attendees who own a smartphone specifically use it for business at meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Nearly half of event attendees also own tablets. With smartphone and tablet usage continuing to rise and mobile apps becoming a mainstay at events in all industries, it’s time to take a closer look at how Wi-Fi access at an event facility impacts event apps and the attendee experience.
Wi-Fi Logistics at the Event Facility
Every event facility contains its own set of unique logistics. Is the event located at a hotel… more
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Dec 13, 2014
When I stumbled into the exhibition industry, I didn’t have a mentor to steer me through the inevitable career potholes. After learning from various mistakes and wins, I figured my wealth of knowledge would help steer the next generation of industry leaders.
Here are the eight lessons I learned along the way that are still applicable:
1) Become a Student of Office Politics - No matter how large or small your employer is, there are always internal dynamics that aren’t reflected on an org chart. When you join a new organization, remember to spend some time just observing…. Influencers,… more
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Dec 13, 2014
Sponsorships are a great way for exhibitors and corporate marketers to be seen and experienced by their target audience, but with the influx of marketing initiatives, it’s becoming harder and harder for companies to stand out and connect with their consumers. Companies invest in sponsorships because they recognize the value of connecting with their segment of the market. But it’s time to look beyond the logo placement and reexamine what connecting really looks like.
We recently compiled a database of all sponsorships offered by the top 250 U.S. trade shows, the top 50 Canadian trade shows,… more
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Dec 07, 2014
The prospect of planning for a trade show can seem like a daunting task. After all, overlooking the smallest thing may result in a day-of calamity that affects the viability of your lead generation efforts and compromises the impact you intend to have on the audience – not exactly the impression you're aiming to make.
When sitting down to write an event checklist, you'll likely find you have a lot of ideas at first. Holding a brainstorming session is a great approach if you're just looking to get everything down on paper, but you'll need to come up with a more structured list down the road.… more
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Nov 30, 2014
Instead of saving the business cards from every lead received at the trade show, where the likelihood of misplacing one before leaving the show floor is high, simplify your lead retrieval strategy through the use of technology. Especially if you are going to a large event and plan on speaking with hundreds or thousands of people, collecting and safely storing their contact information can seem like a daunting task, which is where the use of having time-saving tools and gadgets will come in handy. These ideas will make it much easier on you when it is time to contact these potential clients.… more
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Nov 30, 2014
At my high school, we were ranked against classmates each year. When I was starting my senior year, my father gave me some great advice. He told me many of my classmates would slack off in the final year, so if I kept my momentum, I could move up in my ranking.
Now we are entering the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, and I am sure many of us want to go on auto pilot. My advice to you is don’t! Use the few weeks left of 2014 to engage your clients, with a few tips to help you.
If your budget is long gone: Just because your marketing budget is depleted does not mean… 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.