Tech News

Mar 28, 2014
I recently had the opportunity to attend a live-stream event on the theme "Ignite Marketing Success on Twitter", hosted by  @TwitterSmallBiz and @HootSuite.  Though targeted primarily towards small business marketers, the information provided was just as applicable to any growing brand in a given vertical. I picked up a number of useful tips on how to leverage Twitter to increase website traffic, engage audiences and drive sales. The emphasis was on how to create engaging and personable content, and be successful in increasing the interaction rate for one’s campaigns… more
Mar 28, 2014
Event organizers always are looking for ways to tap into the popularity of social sharing tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to spread the word organically about their event. With the launch of Moment.me, a mobile microsite for events, organizers may finally have an inexpensive option that their attendees will actually use. Moment.me works on any mobile device and aggregates live content your attendees are posting on their preferred social media platforms during your event. “The concept behind Moment.me is not to change users habits. Let them use what they are… more
Mar 23, 2014
At the recent IAEE DC Chapter’s luncheon meeting, a2z’s vice president of Professional Services, Angi Carr, shared some important strategies for multi-year and multi-event attendee engagement. Here are the key insights from her presentation: Know what engages and re-engages your attendees Events are not just about products, services and education. In fact, they are mostly about people. To know what draws your audience, focus on what’s important to them, and what brings them to your event.   Provide smart, integrated tools Provide solutions that are easy… more
Mar 23, 2014
At the recent IAEE DC Chapter’s luncheon meeting, a2z’s vice president of Professional Services, Angi Carr, shared some important strategies for multi-year and multi-event attendee engagement. Here are the key insights from her presentation: Know what engages and re-engages your attendees Events are not just about products, services and education. In fact, they are mostly about people. To know what draws your audience, focus on what’s important to them, and what brings them to your event.   Provide smart, integrated tools Provide solutions that are easy… more
Mar 16, 2014
Trade Show and expo organizers always are striving to make their exhibitor and attendee experience run smoothly. They take great pains to make the event registration process as painless as possible. In many cases, the online registration process takes just minutes. But it doesn’t end there for the attendees and exhibitors. Now, they have to start the laborious task of booking flights, arranging ground transportation and booking dinner reservations for meetings with clients or team dinners. AttendBee, an online concierge service, steps up to eliminate much of that frustration.… more
Mar 16, 2014
Trade Show and expo organizers always are striving to make their exhibitor and attendee experience run smoothly. They take great pains to make the event registration process as painless as possible. In many cases, the online registration process takes just minutes. But it doesn’t end there for the attendees and exhibitors. Now, they have to start the laborious task of booking flights, arranging ground transportation and booking dinner reservations for meetings with clients or team dinners. AttendBee, an online concierge service, steps up to eliminate much of that frustration.… more
Mar 07, 2014
Everyone is all a twitter over Samsung’s product placement and the Ellen DeGeneres selfie at the Oscars.  Samsung received more value out of this sponsorship deal than they had probably dreamed of! A recent Washington Post highlights the details of Samsung’s Oscar ad buy and why the organic product placement worked so well for them. Instead of debating why the product placement worked so well, I would like to focus on how event managers can use this concept to increase sponsorship sales and ROI.  Every product marketer dreams of getting their product in the hands of its… more
Mar 07, 2014
Everyone is all a twitter over Samsung’s product placement and the Ellen DeGeneres selfie at the Oscars.  Samsung received more value out of this sponsorship deal than they had probably dreamed of! A recent Washington Post highlights the details of Samsung’s Oscar ad buy and why the organic product placement worked so well for them. Instead of debating why the product placement worked so well, I would like to focus on how event managers can use this concept to increase sponsorship sales and ROI.  Every product marketer dreams of getting their product in the hands of its… more
Mar 02, 2014
a2z, Inc. released an infographic to highlight the results from the super-engaging ChirpE Scavenger Hunt atthe International Association of Exhibitions and Events' Expo! Expo! 2013, held in December in Houston. Hundreds of attendees visited the ChirpE-powered photo booths in partner locations during the event, clicking and sharing their photos on Facebook in real-time.  The 632 photos clicked during this fun gaming experience engaged a total of 11,872 people on Facebook between Dec. 7-22, 2013, generating 45,872 impressions in the process. The following seven premier… more
Mar 02, 2014
Like any good exhibitor, RetailNext wanted to capture the attention of retailers at National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Retail’s BIG Show in New York. Like any good exhibitor, they wanted to do something that would be relevant to their business, their booth visitors and they wanted it to drive conversations. RetailNext helps retailers, shopping centers and even manufacturers analyze data on store traffic and buyer behavior. Their customers are interested in the use of displays to interact and engage with their own customers and potential customers. The question is, what would… 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.