Blogs

Feb 15, 2023
Our observations on the impact we made as humans became very clear when we were not traveling and consuming as much as we used to during the pandemic. Having witnessed the decrease in pollution resulting from lack of traffic during COVID-19, we have returned to events and conferences much more aware of our footprint. After a long shutdown of events, 2022 saw the doors fully swing open, and we eagerly started to gather again en masse. Virtual events became fully hybrid as we found ourselves rubbing elbows and networking like it was 2019.  How can we make our events and conferences less… more
Feb 08, 2023
Swag bags aren’t new, but they continue to be appreciated and even expected by employees and event attendees alike. However, this reality can make it hard to develop fresh and unique ideas for the kinds of items to include. You want to hand out things that people will use and remember, but there are only so many branded coffee cups one can own before they toss them aside. Here are a few things to consider for different audiences the next time you build a swag bag. Tailoring Your Swag Bag for Employee Retention Whether you are putting together a bag of giveaways as a welcome gift or for a… more
Feb 01, 2023
QR codes are proving to be a winning solution for many companies around the world. British Airways uses them to cut down on queues. Italian fashion brand Diesel uses them to authenticate apparel. And video game developer Cygames used 1,500 drones in Shanghai to replicate a giant QR code in the sky that people could scan to access a game. The point? With QR codes, you can eliminate friction points and show off your creativity. When it comes to trade shows and other business events, QR codes can give attendees a streamlined, engaging experience. Part of the beauty of using QR codes for events… more
Jan 25, 2023
Design experts predicted that curved furniture would be a popular trend throughout 2022 and beyond. The streamlined version of this unique style, which first came to prominence in the 1940s, is eye-catching and can be both professional and fun. Curved furniture helps create a sense of relaxation and safety because the soft edges contrast with the hard, geometric corners of most rooms and spaces. There’s also a “wow” factor with curved design. By incorporating curved furniture, you can create an entirely different experience for event attendees with an aesthetic that strays from the straight… more
Jan 18, 2023
After my first week of being hired at a manufacturing company, I saw an opportunity for efficiency if workers simply altered the process in which they were fulfilling orders. I made my suggestions to the owner of the business, after which he shook his head and replied, "Thanks, but we've been doing it this way for years."  Thinking about something in a new way is often hard for people to grasp. Our minds are programmed to establish patterns of familiarity so that we can more easily predict approaches and outcomes. When a new idea is introduced in business, you can almost always expect… more
Jan 11, 2023
Event professionals have lived through a roller coaster over the last three years, which has included the pivot to virtual, the return of in-person events, evolving safety precautions and tightening budgets.  These professionals have delivered exemplary attendee experiences, fostering community even in uncertainty. They chased their revenue goals and embraced event data to demonstrate the business value of their hard work. But constant change can take a toll. More than a third of event planners now report anxiety and burnout. Advancements in event technology plus old-fashioned teamwork can… more
Jan 05, 2023
The pandemic brought every business that relied on in-person meetings, from multinational corporations to small local businesses, to a grinding halt—effectively emptying convention centers and shuttering hotels. Though many events were canceled, some organizers created virtual events to keep in touch with exhibitors and retailers, albeit digitally.  Today, life and business are slowly finding relative normalcy. Trade shows are back, and in-person events are on track to gain massive amounts of attendance. Although many people are excited to interact in public spaces with others again, it is… more
Dec 28, 2022
As we at District Marketing (formerly Fixation Marketing) mark the end of our first year in business, review the performance of our clients’ events and look at changes and opportunities in this post-pandemic environment, we are thinking a lot about trends.  So, having dug through some campaigns and surveyed our staff, we thought we’d share a list of some trends we’re seeing in trade show and event marketing.  Navigating chaos A topline consideration in discussing trends is the ongoing challenge of predictive analysis, goal setting and pacing and strategy development following the COVID-19… more
Dec 14, 2022
Event marketing looks different than it did three years ago. Virtual and hybrid events have proven their merit and reset attendee expectations. Yet, for all the changes, one fact has remained consistent: It doesn’t matter if an event is offline or online. What matters is the experience it provides. Many event marketers forget this truth; they assume that events have to “wow” attendees in every way. Unsurprisingly, event marketers panic because they don’t have the resources to keep up with these imagined standards. But although audiences might be awed by expensive theatrics, technology and… more
Dec 07, 2022
In-person events have returned in full force. From Q1 to Q3 of 2022 alone, in-person events held on Bizzabo’s Event Experience OS saw a 724% increase. More than 98% of event organizers intend to host at least one in-person event by year’s end, and most will have planned at least three events in 2022, according to Bizzabo’s recent survey. With this renewed focus on gathering in person, marketers are folding events of all kinds into their demand generation efforts to nurture audiences, grow revenue and drive business outcomes. Read on for three key ways to use events to improve your marketing… more
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