Experts & Opinions

Jun 21, 2018
Show organizers, you all are truly the unsung heroes of events. As soon as one event is over the process of finding companies to rent exhibit space to starts all over again. The grind doesn’t really go away, right? The only two reasons for this churn would have to be either: those companies are no longer in business or the cost of the show hasn’t yielded enough new business to justify going again. I have yet to go to a trade show where I can honestly say the foot traffic is sparse. So, for non-returning exhibitors, the issue must either be that there aren’t enough of their ideal customers at… more
Jun 19, 2018
What is Structured Data? Simply put, structured data is a way for web developers to help search engines understand the content of your page. It is markup added to a web page that tells a search engine like Google specifics about your page information. Google’s crawler can do amazing things but it can’t always pull the right information from a web page. For example, if you own a restaurant and have a website, Google can’t automatically decipher the name, address and hours for your restaurant without a little help. That’s where structured data comes in. If you embed specialized markup in your… more
Jun 14, 2018
If you are like many exhibitors, industry trade shows are an opportunity to put your best foot forward. You have a captive audience of customers, prospects and industry peers that demand you go all out to position your company, products and services in the most positive light.  How do you do it? For starters, you should be leveraging the suite of ever-evolving event technologies rather than taking a formula approach and using exactly what you did last year. Using a fresh approach, driven by leading-edge event technologies, will enable you to create the greatest impact. Begin with a strategic… more
Jun 12, 2018
I’ve been in the brand experience business for more than 20 years. During that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a sponsorship work and why.  For most of our clients, it all comes down to budget. There’s a lot to accomplish and there never seems to be enough money. This is why sponsorships are so attractive – they provide an additional source of revenue to help offset costs and an additional activation to complement brand strategies. At the same time, that doesn’t mean we should just plop a sponsorship into an event and pat ourselves on the back.  When I went to work for… more
Jun 07, 2018
While trade shows are predominantly still in-person affairs, there is an increasingly important digital component that goes into making an event a success. Your business’s participation in a trade show should involve your entire network – and your social channels are critical in engaging with and building your audience. With these five tips for incorporating social media into your next trade show, you’ll be sure to capitalize on your efforts and make the event worth your while.  Hashtags Are Your Friend At least on certain networks. Use them on Instagram and Twitter; leave them out on… more
Jun 05, 2018
Due to recent attacks on public events, it is becoming increasingly important for conferences and events to review their security. As the Head of Security of Swedish security and luxury hotel At Six in Stockholm, I have created six tips on how to achieve more secure public meetings and events. There is an increased need and demand for security hotels due to the many tragic incidents in the last years. Security issues need to be more prioritized in the hotel and conference industry today. As a meeting place for large groups of people, we must do our utmost to ensure their safety as much as we… more
May 31, 2018
I love the challenges they bring. I love the successes we share.I love the people they embrace. I love the anticipation from standing there on opening morning, through months and thousands of hours of hard work from everyone involved, to see people turning up. To see people walking in, with their own little face of excitement about what they're going to see today.Which leads me on to my point for Global Exhibitions Day 2018. People.GED is a day chosen to celebrate our industry and tell people on a global scale how great we are. How diverse we are. How exciting we can be! It's also a day for… more
May 30, 2018
For many corporate marketing or event departments, getting approval to add employee headcount is close to impossible. You may only have enough work to justify a part-time resource, or your events may be seasonal. Hiring a contract event manager can be a great way to make sure you get what you pay for, without excess overhead. What — you have some doubts? Let us guess: “But will they do as good of a job?” “How hard will they work if they’re not officially part of the company?” Important questions, certainly. Of course, you want to hire professionals who believe that “do good work” is a… more
May 24, 2018
Organizing and planning your business expo or event is difficult enough, let alone trying to get people to show up! Unfortunately, relying on the distribution of flyers, mail invites and word-of-mouth will not guarantee you the results of a successful event. Luckily, utilizing the power of social media allows you to expand your audience reach and generate buzz about your event online. Here are some social media tactics that have remained relevant, as well as upcoming trends to be aware of: 1.The Facebook basics With over 650 million active users, this is a slice of the pie you can’t afford… more
May 22, 2018
There’s no one secret to success when it comes to pulling off a successful trade show. Your preparation, goals, staff and presentation all contribute to your success and it pays to reflect on what you did well and where you can improve for the next time. A properly thought-out and well-written post-show report will be your blueprint for an improved showing in the future. Prepare and Take Notes Trade shows can keep a person very busy, there are a lot of things that need to be done and you’ll probably have a lot on your mind. Make an effort to find some time to write some notes over the… 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 on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.