EXPERTS & OPINIONS

Jul 16, 2019
“If it looks good, it tastes good.” This mantra was drummed into my brain in the early days of my working life. I was trained to put massive emphasis on the presentation of my product (the food) at the high-end restaurants where I worked. The reason was simple…and it had a lasting impact on the way I approach my work in my current role as CTO of eventcore. We humans are an emotional bunch, and our emotions are tightly synced with what we see. If the food is beautifully presented, that customer at your upscale restaurant will decide it’s going to be delicious before she takes the first bite.… more
Jul 10, 2019
If you want to have a successful event, you must include a social media campaign. Start with a focused strategy that targets who you want to come to your event, who is actually going to your event, and who wishes they came and will attend next time. One thing you can be certain of – everyone has a phone. Make sure they are all talking about your event. Get started by breaking down your social media event strategy into three parts: before, during and after. Before Your Event Build anticipation to get everyone excited about your event. Tease them with sneak peeks. Hold “reveals” for key… more
Jul 02, 2019
Are you planning to organize a conference meeting with VIPs? VIPs are the most important people in your network because they can generate greater sales, help you develop more innovative products, formulate a more powerful marketing campaign or improve your business. A VIP event — or VIP participation at events — isn’t something that businesses organize every day. So following certain rules and protocols (especially if your guests are from another country, where expectations and codes of conduct may vary) is an easy way to ensure your VIPs receive the treatment they deserve. VIPs don’t have… more
Jun 25, 2019
Magazine articles and websites are chock full of summer “must do” lists. From wearing the right sunscreen to checking bargain sites for inexpensive travel to the “it” shades in cosmetics, you could spend all this summer just reading about what you should do to make it perfect. Not wanting to be left out, I too have a few “must do” suggestions including the most important thing you need to do to get strategic this summer. Mine won’t cure frizzy hair on humid days or be a surefire styling tip to rock a fun summer dress, but I guarantee mine provides benefits that will last long after your… more
Jun 18, 2019
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, more than $24 billion is spent annually by U.S. exhibitors on trade show displays, yet 70 percent of these exhibitors set no specific objectives or goals for their exhibits. In 2019, event marketing teams should find ways to become goal-driven, and metrics are the place to start.  There are two types of metrics to utilize: hard metrics and soft metrics. The parameters attached to hard metrics serve as strong indicators and imply action items. Soft metrics are all about engagement and awareness. For example, the number of likes,… more
Jun 11, 2019
For all of the unquestionable benefits of digitization, there remain a number of areas where in the name of efficiency, we risk losing some humanity.  We may be more interconnected than ever before, but the plethora of devices — from desktops to phones, smartwatches and the ever-attentive Alexa — which have infiltrated our daily lives at an unprecedented rate, also mean that real human interactions can be filtered almost beyond recognition. It’s a concern that a growing number of psychologists, business leaders, and almost every discerning parent will recognize and relate to. How then can… more
Jun 04, 2019
As the universe of event technology continues to expand and event planners expand their use of technology at live gatherings, a number of trends are emerging for the coming year. But according to eight of the smartest women in event tech, one trend stands out. When asked what they see as the biggest trends in events, particularly in relation to event technology, members of the Women in Event Tech community gave a wide range of answers. They cited emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality/AR), personalization, influencer marketing, integration with… more
May 28, 2019
Throughout 2019 this space is dedicated to strategically aligning yourself to your goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Your life goals and new growth can be attained the same way strategic events are achieved; by following my five-step strategic plan. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense, because isn’t life the ultimate event? January focused on stretching beyond comfort zones, getting out of our own way, being willing to take risks and do the work required to accomplish it. February was about visualizing what you imagine when you think to the future and picture your ‘… more
May 20, 2019
Event planners wear a ton of hats. From juggling venues and caterers to managing staff members, selling sponsorships and negotiating with vendors, you have no shortage of responsibilities. If you don’t have an organizational strategy in place, that to-do list can become overpowering. While the highs of successful events are hard to match, the weeks leading up to those events are incredibly stressful. Most event professionals struggle through plenty of sleepless nights as they fret over important details, and they often have too many things on their plates to handle anything time-consuming. … more
May 14, 2019
Everyone is talking about the sexy technology developments around VR event experiences, facial recognition, etc. Yet one critical area of advancement that must correspond with all of these technology enhancements is consumer data privacy and controls. Data privacy will continue to shake the events world for the foreseeable future.  Our consumers and operators might not be excited about this advancement but the changes we saw in our industry with GDPR are just the beginning. We will continue to see additional legislation and regulation around data privacy, and event technology operators and… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more