Blogs
Sep 13, 2023
I try to go to Burning Man when I can and that may shock a lot of my peers and network. At first blush you might think it's all about drugs and nudity but this is NOT what Burning Man is about.
When Bob Priest-Heck and I joined forces at Immersa Marketing (many moons ago), our focus was on community. I asked him if I could go and "audit" Burning Man, and he agreed. I partnered with Cindy Shine and Shannon Malliet, and we made our way to Black Rock City, Nev. There were many lessons gathered on this pilgrimage as we tried to understand the difference between creating a "moment" vs. creating… more
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Sep 07, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of business events, where people-to-people interactions continue to rise, the significance of networking events cannot be overstated.
These gatherings, whether in-person or online, offer a unique platform for professionals to exchange ideas, collaborate and form connections that have the potential to shape the trajectory of their careers and businesses.
However, amidst the buzz of exchanging business cards and collecting leads, it's crucial to recognize that business relationships forged in these settings are the true golden nuggets of networking.
Beyond… more
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Aug 30, 2023
Did you know that “event planning” has been ranked among the top 10 most stressful jobs since 2012 with Forbes putting us at the high spot of number 5? With the hustle and bustle of the fall event season upon us, it’s important to remind my fellow event marketing folks to prioritize our physical and emotional health.
With August being National Wellness Month, it’s also a great reminder for event professionals to take a deep breath and learn ways to cope with the stressors of working in the industry. So, how can event professionals incorporate wellness into their planning and work-life… more
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Aug 24, 2023
For the past three years, most organizations have relied on videoconferencing because there was no alternative. However, as we move through 2023 and beyond, many non-essential employees prefer to stay within the confines of their homes during the workday, leading to fewer personal interactions with other employees and clients.
This begs the question: Should monthly, quarterly or yearly face-to-face gatherings return? Let’s examine the pros and cons, and then you decide.
Strengths of Face-to-Face (F2F) Meetings
Networking dominates. Nothing quite rises to the occasion of meeting someone,… more
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Aug 17, 2023
As awareness of climate change increases, the public and private sectors face growing pressure to take action. This need for change is being driven not only by consumers, but also legislative and governing bodies.
Germany, for instance, recently introduced an act requiring large companies to observe social and environmental standards across their supply chain.Despite growing concern for sustainability, the term “sustainability” itself has become a buzzword that risks losing its true meaning. To enact true change, organizations must align with sustainability goals rooted in reality. This is… more
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Aug 09, 2023
Like every other industry, event professionals are both cautiously and optimistically watching as artificial intelligence and the ever-growing ecosystem of tools it empowers begins to shape and transform event planning. AI offers some obvious advantages and benefits for event planners, who are often inundated with data, extensive logistical and scheduling issues, communications needs, and many other processes which could stand to be streamlined by tech.
However, are there also drawbacks for event management platforms and professionals as AI continues to expand into the space? Here are some… more
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Aug 02, 2023
I'm looking forward to attending the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit, which will be held Aug. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City. Powered by PCMA, CEMA advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals.
Last week, I spoke with CEMA Vice President, Strategy and Operations Sandra Marcus, who told me the event had nearly 500 total attendees registered as of July 27, compared with 455 attendees in 2022. Of those, 32% are event marketers, she said.
I’ve attended the event before, but it’s been a… more
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Jul 26, 2023
The live events industry is roaring back to life, but this trend is more than just the post-pandemic surge in attendance. Customers don’t want the typical small business conference or corporate event. They are increasingly demanding an experience.
Attendees are craving uniqueness, such as concierge service, VIP booths, gourmet food, virtual check-ins, mobile apps and much more. But how do you make your conference or corporate event stand out from the noise?
As the CEO of a major California event rental company, I oversee a company that services more than 12,000 annual events, and we’ve… more
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Jul 19, 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly been a hot topic of many event and conference agendas lately, but are we missing a trick?
There is no doubt that there have been significant advancements in AI technology and how it can support event businesses with marketing content, matchmaking and transcriptions, for example. However, one area is being overlooked: data and insight.
Event organizers have faced a significant challenge over recent years: grappling with the overwhelming amount of data generated by their events and online activities, and knowing what to do with these data… more
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Jul 12, 2023
Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in the amount of in-person events, this was only temporary — the events space has returned to thriving the way it was before. However, in this post-COVID landscape, event organizers struggle to find ways to connect with their attendees. Luckily, there are some principles that brands can follow to ensure their events resonate with their attendees.
What to Think About When Planning Your Event
The first thing to consider when planning an event is your target audience and design it to cater to those people you hope to reach. Think about what might… more
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Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more