Approximately 2,000 attendees, including 800 hosted buyers gathered at The Venetian in Las Vegas for Connect Spring Marketplace April 2-4. Owned by Informa, the event connects meeting buyers and suppliers for one-on-one conversations, but also weaves in educational opportunities; a trade show featuring destinations and fresh experiential ideas; and after-hours networking events.

Here are some of the fresh ideas and classic events that made Connect Spring Marketplace a success.

More Cowbell!

The eTourism Summit, an event for destination marketers co-located with Connect Spring Marketplace, had cowbells on every table and issued this invitation to use them: If at any time a speaker was becoming too promotional about their services or their destination, audience members could ring their bell as a reminder to get back on topic. Now that’s asking for engagement!

Brand Everything

Well-designed, strategic branding conveys professionalism and attention to detail, influencing attendees’ perception of your event. For the BizBash Leadership Summit 2024, an event for event industry thought leaders co-located with Connect Spring Marketplace, organizers put the event logo on the tabletops, right under attendees’ noses.

The Heart of the Event (with a Twist)

Appointments between meeting planners and suppliers are at the heart of Connect Spring Marketplace, and the event’s approach is worth noting: Unlike some other appointment-based conferences, buyers had assigned seats while suppliers moved from place to place for the eight-minute meetings.

On Trend!

Everyone and their mother seem to be learning pickleball, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., took advantage of the buzz, sponsoring a pickleball court on the Connect Spring Marketplace show floor.

First-Timers Are Gold

You only have one chance for a first impression, and Connect made the most of it, welcoming first-time attendees with a glass of champagne during their orientation session.

New This Year

Say goodbye to delayed gratification: Connect partnered with Cultivate to create a gifting experience for attendees right on the show floor.

Create Content #1

Every event brings in thought leaders, do you know what’s on their minds? Trade Show News Network, a media brand in the Connect family, made the most of Connect Spring Marketplace by setting up a booth to record conversations between Content Vice President Danica Tormohlen and meetings industry professionals.

Create Content #2

Corporate entertainment services company AE&ES had its photo robot making its way around the show floor. Attendees could have their photo taken and launch it off to social media. Win-win for the attendee and the show.

Education + Comfort

Learning stage on the show not only had great speakers—including Mike Dominguez, president and CEO of ALHI; Jason Dunn, executive director of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; and Scott Frankel, president of Animatic Media – but also attracted attendees with invitingly cushioned seating.

Puppies Never Get Old

Cute balls of fluff have been a feature at trade shows for at least a decade now, and it’s still a smart exhibitor investment to draw crowds and create a relaxing moment for busy attendees. In this case, Reno Tahoe brought in the pups.

Love Me a Party

Classic final night event in Las Vegas: A white-attire party around the pool at Tao nightclub. Here, leaders from the Search Foundation, an organization providing support to event planners in need, show their enthusiasm for a fun evening—Kate Patay, CPCE, (left) and Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP.

This article was originally published in our sister publication, MeetingsNet. To view the full image gallery, go here.

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