Experts & Opinions
Oct 12, 2014
For vendors, trade shows are great place to sell products, increase brand recognition, and network with potential clients However, it is also easy to disappear in a sea of competitors. Use these eleven tips to make your business and your trade show booth stand out in the eyes of potential customers:
1. Send the best trade show staff.
In business, as in life, how we present ourselves reflects on who we are. Technology has changed how we communicate, but face-to-face interaction is still the most effective way to interact with potential customers. At trade shows, the team… more
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Oct 05, 2014
Small and big businesses alike have found out just how powerful social media can in helping their company expand. In fact, according to CeBIT, the massive German technology show, 97 percent of consumers search for businesses online. The more technologically-advanced our society becomes, the more people will be relying on social media websites and mobile apps to help make their purchasing decisions.
While social media allows for people to conveniently network online, nothing compares to the effects of networking face-to-face, which is why trade shows continue to thrive, even in this… more
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Oct 05, 2014
There are a lot of generalizations when it comes to our industry. Many people who are unfamiliar feel the same type of planning and work goes into an exhibition, meeting, consumer event, corporate event or congress. Well, we all know that isn’t true; the planning and execution differs by the type of live event being produced. Drayage, kit rules and regulations, negotiating show floor packages, etc. often aren’t a topic of conversation with my corporate events clients. One thing that is critical across the board with corporate events is planning for attendee engagement.
After years of working… more
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Sep 28, 2014
There was a time when any kind of promotion or advertisement was only done by professionals. It was a time when Don Draper of Mad Men spent hours brainstorming with his team to come up with one perfect catchphrase to promote a singular product. While certainly there are still plenty of pros in publicity and advertising, social media – including blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – has changed the game of this kind of work.
You no longer necessarily need a seasoned expert to promote your product or event; you only need an Internet connection and a webpage. This is great news for some businesses… more
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Sep 28, 2014
I vacation in airports. Well, not really, but after more than three decades of business travel, I have surrendered and learned how to make the best of the hours I spend in airports. Here are some of my tips for surviving the time spent “on the inside,” which can make delays, long connections and other layovers almost bearable.
1) Get to know your surroundings- Don’t just head to the gate and park yourself… Spend some time walking around and looking at the “you are here” units to see what the airport offers. Airport designers have gotten smart in the last few years, adding amenities to… more
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Sep 21, 2014
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This is especially true when it comes to technology and the evolving landscape of omnichannel retail for brick-and-mortar retailers.
Once feared as an existential threat to brick-and-mortar retail, the Internet now provides retailers with tools to evolve, redefine themselves, improve engagement with customers and build their brands.
What shoppers really want is experience and relationships – with people and brands. Technology is simply another tool retailers can employ to augment and deepen these relationships and experiences.
My belief stems from… more
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Sep 21, 2014
In years past, exhibition organizers were able to take an “if we build it, they will come” approach to tradeshows, conventions, and conferences with the goal of attracting attendees in order to reel in exhibitors. Show organizers could safely tell exhibitors and sponsors the kinds of people who attend the show, often tossing around statistics like “70% of attendees are decision makers,” without too much scrutiny because there was no way to prove or disprove those numbers.
Technology changes everything
Today, every marketing dollar counts – and when your exhibitor’s tradeshow budget goes up… more
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Sep 14, 2014
Tradeshow attendees are unique, they want to discover something - and as such, you can’t sell to them in the same way you would to a prospect in a corporate boardroom. Follow these five steps to more effectively engage potential customers at your next tradeshow.
1) Greetings
Even during the busiest times, always extend your hand, smile and learn your prospect’s name.
Pro tip: Take a look at the prospect’s name badge and refer to him or her by name throughout the conversation.
2) Identifying needs
Ask the attendee what he or she is looking for today so you can identify and address… more
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Sep 14, 2014
Travel can greatly impact the greenness of your tradeshow and is oftentimes overlooked since the actual event tends to garner the most attention and focus in terms of being green, but it doesn’t need to be this way. Here are three ways you can up the green factor regarding your tradeshow travel.
1. Consider Alternative Modes of Transportation. Sometimes air travel is the best option, and if you have to fly book direct flights whenever possible to minimize carbon emissions, but depending on your departure and arrival cities consider other travel options. If your tradeshow is within… more
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Sep 07, 2014
It's a new event era, where content creates opportunities for marketers and meeting planners to craft experiences that endear customers and members while having their brand message blasted across social media.
An event may garner 5,000 people, but you could reach 5,000,000 when event content is generated and shared!
Clearly, the Event Marketing Summit event is driving shares online – because this blog post is based on a session I attended there presented by Josh Nafman, Senior Digital Brand Manager at Pepsi, and his agency partner Matt Statman, CEO and Creative Director of Motive.
They shared… 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.