Experts & Opinions
Feb 23, 2013
Almost every exhibitor will tell you they go to trade shows to raise their company’s visibility and build their corporate image.
Those visual metaphors are not coincidental. It’s essential to be seen at a trade show. And yet, despite their best intentions, too many exhibitors end up … invisible. Could that be you, too?
Let’s throw a light on what makes exhibitors invisible, even when they really want to be seen:
A Camouflaged Trade Show Display
Your trade show display will fade into the background like a soldier’s camouflaged uniform in a… more
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Feb 22, 2013
A little more than12 years ago at a gathering of top tradeshow organizers in Santa Barbara, Calif., the keynote speaker – himself an organizer who had just bought one of the largest shows and most well-known show groups in the U.S – stunned the room by telling his audience: “You are nothing but a bunch of concrete salesmen” and then continued to skewer them for running, in his opinion, unsophisticated businesses, where they bought floor space at a discount and resold it at a premium. He went on to say that he was going to single-handedly change the exhibition… more
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Feb 14, 2013
I just read a blog by Rachel O’Sullivan on checking after-show invoices. She focused on material handling fees, but I have to say, you probably need to check all invoices for services you get at the show for accuracy.
Human error
There are times when your electrician or plumber or materials handler marks things for your booth as incorrect. Put another way, how many times have you received crates that didn’t belong to you (that has happened to me a couple of times) or have had to go walking around a show floor for a clearly marked crate for your booth? (I push back if… more
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Feb 09, 2013
It’s great to hear visitors to your trade show booth say things like, “You’ve got just what I need!” or “We love working with your company!” or “Your booth really caught my eye!”
But because trade shows are so complicated, it’s possible that, no matter how much you prepare, something could go wrong. And as the trade show manager, you’re probably the first one who’s going to hear about it.
How bad could it be? Well, hearing any of these 21 things in your trade show exhibit will sound as bad as fingernails on a… more
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Feb 02, 2013
In a previous blog post, I shared how I helped my clients at the American College Health Association incorporate wellness into their events by providing healthier food options.
While that was a great start, we wanted to take the wellness program even further. A little creativity was in order, but when it was all said and done, the end results turned out to be more successful than we imagined.
After the menus were adjusted, the second part of wellness was to get people up and moving. Of course, we didn’t want to take away time from all the sessions, as education was the focus of the… more
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Jan 26, 2013
When you’re shopping for your next trade show display, it’s all too easy to focus just on the price. After all, price is easy to judge – whoever costs the least, wins.
And yet, price is not the same as value. When you buy based on value, you find that spending a little more money may get you a lot more value in return.
So here are 10 other criteria beyond price that experienced exhibit buyers know to look for.
Let’s start with the display:
1. Quality: Be careful about buying a disposable display online, only to last for a show or two. A… more
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Jan 26, 2013
This is the final part of a six-part series on WiFi at events. The last “C” is all about exercising your freedom of choice, putting the free market to work to ensure you receive the highest quality network for your event at the most competitive price.
“I thought my only option was to use the venue’s in-house network” is something we hear far too often. Regardless of the default Internet “exclusivity” clause in your venue contract and event organizer “conventional wisdom”, the FCC’s Telecommunications Act of 1996 protects your freedom… more
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Jan 16, 2013
Hybrid Meetings are here to stay!
There has been a lot of discussion, and worry, about how online content would impact the meetings industry. When the internet first exploded on the scene there were those who predicted the demise of the live meeting. Would people invest the time and money to travel to conventions if they could see the presentations on their computers?
However, in-person gatherings are never going away, as humans are experiential beings who desire to share what they are learning and doing with others. In fact, the meetings industry is expanding again following the couple of… more
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Jan 12, 2013
There’s no doubt in my mind that it takes a strong, outspoken and extremely intelligent leader to command an organization like the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The International Consumer Electronics Show is the largest showcase in the technology industry, and when it comes to consumer electronics, they ARE the leader. Last year’s show boasted more than 153,000 attendees who interacted with 3,100 exhibitors covering more than 1.8 million square feet.
Who does it take to lead an organization of such size and caliber?
Adweekdescribes Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA… more
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Dec 31, 2012
As the year comes to an end, we can’t help but think about what we want to achieve in 2013, both personally and professionally. People often want to start fresh each year, and the top resolutions are almost always about healthy living and balanced life styles. As event planners, we can take a lesson from this and make an effort to incorporate wellness into our meetings.
So where do you start? The first and most obvious place to begin is your menus. Are they healthy and well balanced with assorted proteins, vegetables, and fruits, or are they sugar-loaded, carbohydrate-rich belly bombs… 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.