EXPERTS & OPINIONS

May 07, 2019
What if your organization exhibited at an event or trade show and nobody showed up to your booth?  That’s a real concern for many brands exhibiting at what can be costly events.  The old saying “If you build it, they will come” is not applicable when it comes to events.  Instead, you need to market your presence and offer a reason why people should visit you.  Consider the following ways in which you can maximize your impact with solid marketing strategies: Geofencing Your Trade Show Booth Geofencing is a great way to capture relevant traffic and drive people to your event or trade show… more
Apr 30, 2019
Content marketing and event marketing are too often thought of as different worlds. Content marketing is online and trendy. Live events are offline and old-school. The two tactics are more accurately (and productively) viewed as tightly interlocking channels. According to the Content Marketing Institute, in-person events are one of the top four content marketing methods B2B marketers use to nurture their audiences. Events trail only email campaigns and educational content (which, of course, is the primary type of content shared at live events), and are essentially tied with "clear calls-to-… more
Apr 23, 2019
Some call it a Social Feed, others an Event Pulse, or Idea Blog. But no matter what you call it, the Experience Wall can be the most important feature of your event app. Why? Simple. Because it’s tied directly to the return on experience (ROE) of your event! For marketers, ROE is everything — it’s how we measure success. The in-app Experience Wall not only helps show the big picture of attendees’ ROE, but is also a great tool to build community and promote both your meeting initiatives and your organization’s culture. It All Starts With Social: Post, Like and Share There are many ways you… more
Apr 16, 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
Apr 10, 2019
Why do you spend time, money, energy, resources on events? Going into your events, do you know what results you are pursuing? Common goals include increased event registration, increased brand and/or market leadership positioning, and increased revenue generation. Often, achieving these goals is talked about in terms of return on investment (ROI). But for events, I believe we should instead be looking for a “return on your moment” (ROM), which encompasses more than just revenue measurement.   This five-step approach can help you ensure a high ROM: Strategizing – ideating, understanding the… more
Apr 03, 2019
As conference organizers, we are always looking for ways to create new experiences that capture attendees’ attention, fuel their participation and keep them talking about the event long after they’ve returned home. Aside from the draw of a keynote speaker, a trendy networking dinner or even volunteer opportunity, what other kinds of memorable and meaningful "wow" is out there? Here’s a hint: It begins with some workout clothes.                                                                         Stretch Your Event Potential As a yoga teacher, practitioner and the senior manager of one… more
Mar 25, 2019
With March Madness right around the corner, I couldn’t help but think about how the teams that get to The Big Dance have just the right mix of game-winning strategies – sort of like the components that go into creating and managing a successful event app!  To make your event app a slam dunk, you need to consider some key factors that can make it a winning success. Here are the top tips event organizers should consider as they put together a game plan for winning over their attendees, sponsors and exhibitors!  The Coach Make sure the right person on your team is leading the event app effort… more
Mar 19, 2019
Throughout 2019 this space is dedicated to strategically aligning yourself to your goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Your life goals can be attained the same way strategic events are achieved; by following this 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 ‘successful’… more
Mar 11, 2019
As any experienced event planner knows, solid registration and housing solutions are integral to running a good meeting.  An online registration system is standard for even the most casual B2B gatherings with out-of-town guests, and most organizers secure hotel room blocks and discounts for their guests. Yet depending on your event tech setup, your registration and housing data may live in entirely different silos – and this can have a huge impact on how your attendees experience the event. Some registration providers hand off hotel reservations and room block management to another company… more
Mar 06, 2019
One of the attributes of the live events business that draws people to want to be part of it is its dynamism, its constant change. Event planners, vendors, and others involved in the industry thrive on the fast pace and endless evolution of new trends, technology, and practices. It's not a sit-at-your-desk-during-business-hours kind of role. Event professionals crave travel, adventure, and the adrenaline rush that comes from producing an extraordinary experience for attendees. It is a lot to keep up with. Event pros are bombarded with new ideas and information on a daily basis. How can you… 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