Blogs
Jul 05, 2013
I recently attended the HITEC conference in Minneapolis, and I got to participate in the SCANVenger Hunt platform they had for attendees and exhibitors. This was my first onsite gaming experience and something I really enjoyed and wanted to share with TSNN’s readers.
In speaking with Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP, this was HITEC’s first use of the game application at the show, and it was introduced after having seen it at another show, and Frank was impressed by the interactions brought on by the platform. That got me thinking about the game platform and how it… more
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Jun 28, 2013
Marketing-savvy consumer brands are already socially enabling their employees - not to mention customers and other stakeholders - as a way to increase their return on social. How can trade show professionals utilize decentralization to not only grow attendance, but to increase exhibitor participation, build buzz, strengthen loyalty, improve employee retention, enhance customer service and more?
By using the following tips and best practices …
1. Utilize a hub and spoke social media model: Your marketing/public relations team (or agency) will still play a vital, albeit different,… more
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Jun 22, 2013
One of the best things about our industry is that we’re not limited by geography or cultural boundaries. Because each country has its own exhibiting style, rules and practices, it’s important to acquaint yourself and your team with the differences so you don’t go into this process blindly.
During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to manage global brand activations for many clients, and I’ve developed practices that provide the best opportunity for success.
Here are my top four that you need to know if you’re exhibiting internationally:
1. Understand… more
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Jun 22, 2013
Let’s talk knuckle busters, zip zaps, and scanners - because I speak your language.
Event organizers, registration contractors and purveyors of lead recording hardware and software bandy about the term “lead retrieval.” But for the most part the people who actually use these systems - the trade show exhibitors - well, they do not.
They haven’t heard the term.
If someone called you up on the phone, trying to interest you in a “brougham,” would you know they were referring to an automobile? I sure wouldn't.
In the credit card business, I manufacture… more
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Jun 13, 2013
After tradeshows, email marketing is arguably the most powerful channel for lead generation. Following email best practices is critical to closing sales after your event participation. Often, exhibitors are so weary after their events that they miss their window of opportunity and lose sales.
If you don’t have a strong email marketing foundation, you’d better start building that knowledge. Let’s start at the top, the subject line. The subject line is the most important element of your email. I know, that’s a lot of pressure. This is because if your email doesn’t get opened, none of the other… more
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Jun 13, 2013
In recent years, the expectation for events to be more interactive, collaborative and participatory rather than simply passive experiences has increased dramatically and technology is playing a major role in helping planners achieve this – from the noise created by social media before, during and after an event to technologies which enable the audience to engage more actively with the content and with each other.
I wanted to share some cool technology ideas that can help you make your event or your participation in an event more interactive and therefore more engaging:
Mobile… more
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Jun 08, 2013
I had the opportunity to speak with Nick Pintler, CMO at Gravity Jack. We talked augmented reality (AR) and what AR affects at a trade show. And it is more than a cool tool to generate engagement.
There is a social connectivity in AR software that has a dual purpose: generate contact and get your attendees to hang out in the booth. AR allows you to provide a visual cue for explaining information, collect leads, even go through a qualification process, and can be quite easy to use.
While most of us think of AR as something that is only to present information in a new… more
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May 31, 2013
A lot of time, voice, energy, ink and virtual storage space are used elucidating the ‘Power of Events.’ The industry – and CEIR in particular – has done an excellent job in recent years of backing this up with hard data to get marketers to understand what we collectively have to offer. We all know that most marketing text books maybe contain a page of information about tradeshows and events – and we are then forced to educate, update, and even campaign for and about the arsenal of amazing marketing and sales tools our events provide.
I say it’s… more
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May 31, 2013
I recently had the privilege to represent GES at a roundtable discussion in Las Vegas with Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV). It was hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the U.S. Travel Association and Station Casinos.
My conversations with Congressman Heck were simply refreshing. I’m not much of a beltway insider and I don’t interact with politicians on a daily basis, but I came away from the meeting impressed by his knowledge of the challenges show organizers face when attracting international attendees to their U.S. trade shows and the downstream effect… more
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May 24, 2013
When I say I felt privileged and pretty darn lucky to attend Coachella in 2012, I’m not exaggerating. This year’s festival sold out in 24 hours. People come from all over the world to experience Coachella and it’s one of the most unique events I’ve attended. Yes, I’m a music junkie. Everything from electronic dance music to indie and even hip hop, I love it all. My first concert (in fifth grade) was N’Sync and they literally brought tears to my eyes.
Nothing can replace the memories you make at an event, and what better way to extend that experience than… more
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact