Experts & Opinions

Sep 06, 2014
My first company focused solely on online reputation management, so I have a relatively strong digital presence and am generally off put when someone doesn’t “Social Stalk” me before we meet. I put a great deal of time and effort into making certain all the information I want someone to know about me, personally and professionally, is online. In this way, my first true impression is before we ever actually meet. Have you ever Googled yourself? Probably not, but you should! You might be surprised… Here are my Google results for Trace Cohen – so let’s run through different social… more
Aug 30, 2014
Competition is fierce for business. From consumers with less disposable income to companies operating with much smaller budgets, marketing and sales departments put in the extra work to increase sales and ultimately the company’s bottom line in more creative ways. If your company is paying the money for the space rental, the purchase of the trade show display and related sales collateral, along with paying for travel, accommodations and more, they should be spending the time to promote their trade show marketing event on their blog. It’s a cost-effective way to extend the life of your trade… more
Aug 28, 2014
There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to show floor design. Just as exclusive as the fashion trends I see at MAGIC every year, the GES team aspires to bring our Advanstar client’s show floor vision to life and make it unique as possible. Too often, trade shows look alike, and our client is committed to making their exhibitors’ experiences fresh – from the way they manage the show to the way they interact with attendees. For their summer 2014 show, Advanstar challenged us to create a new look and feel that would elevate the look of MAGIC. It… more
Aug 24, 2014
Before jumping into these 7 problems that can be solved by trade show display rentals, I’d first like to dispel a major myth about trade show exhibit rentals. Some may equate rentals with boring or basic displays and imagine an attendee pointing and discussing how generic their booth is or how much it looks like that other rental over there. Fortunately, rentals have come a long way, running the gamut from basic portables to practically custom exhibits. Used well, trade show rental displays can fit a variety of needs and solve some basic problems. Now, to the problem solving! 1. Your… more
Aug 24, 2014
With hundreds of exhibitors competing for the attention of attendees at the trade show, it can seem like a daunting task trying to stand out. While some companies opt to hand out branded giveaway items, have the most state-of-the-art technology incorporated into their exhibit, or have stunning signage that can be seen from across the show floor, there are still a wide variety of things that you can do to become a fierce competitor to these other businesses. The following ideas will get attendees and exhibitors alike talking about your booth before they even get to the event.  Create a… more
Aug 15, 2014
Standing out at trade shows when there are dozens of trade show booths trying to grab the attendee’s attention is easier said than done. The most memorable exhibits are those that have a personal touch that is both unique and matches the theme of your booth. There are plenty of ways to do this without spending hundreds of dollars. Here are several ideas to create a booth that will attract a crowd and stand out above the competition. Have a Consistent Theme Trying to promote too many different products or services can be confusing and overwhelming to attendees. Instead of pulling their… more
Aug 15, 2014
I recently was at the Women In Travel conference,  which had a focus on networking and connecting in order to promote and learn.  Since the focus of the conference was around the idea of connecting, I was very happily surprised with the spin it took on the traditional way of engaging. Networking across industry and title, boundaries:  This particular organization wanted to reach anyone who works in travel, regardless of whether they are a travel agent, or work with a corporation.  The other unique point was that everyone was networking together. There were no boundaries… more
Aug 09, 2014
A substantial contributing factor to the greenness of your trade show is the venue itself. Many convention centers are making huge strides to streamline recycling and reduce water consumption while an increased emphasis on green construction processes allows a complex to be green throughout. There are a lot of factors that will help you zero in on the ideal venue for your event, but consider how green a venue itself is before booking. Here are 10 of the top green locations for your next trade show in no particular order. 1.      Raleigh’s Convention Center boasts… more
Aug 09, 2014
Great exhibitors are not necessarily the biggest brands, the biggest booths, or the ones with the biggest budgets. And they certainly are not the ones who are the busiest. Great exhibitors are identified as much by what they avoid as what they do. They have the insight and character to say “no” to their bosses and their colleagues when asked to make poor choices – and they take the time to educate their teams on what makes other choices better. Great exhibitors avoid: 1. Exhibiting at more shows than they can do well Just as it takes a lot to make a house a home, it takes a lot to… more
Jul 30, 2014
Content, as we know, is not only king, but also the cornerstone to any marketing strategy. But creating a large amount of dedicated content for each and every event can be time-consuming, strenuous, and ultimately costly.What’s needed is a way to leverage content that already exists, and what better way to do that than crowdsourcing? Crowdsourcing content means taking content being written about your event, from your event or related to a participant in your event. It’s created by your event audience and is therefore the best way to get their attention.Like many brands today who let their… 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.