Experts & Opinions
Jan 28, 2020
There’s no question about it, exhibiting at a trade show can be expensive. There are the booth cost, show services and other essentials that will help draw in attendees to your exhibit. However, it’s essential to keep these expenses under control. Here’s a summary of 10 ways to do just that.
Map Out All Your Costs
According to EXHIBITOR Magazine, the average trade show budget breaks down in five broad categories. For example, if your budget is $45,000, you can expect to pay the following percentage for dollars for each:
Booth Space and Contents (51% - $22,950)
Personnel, Travel,… more
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Jan 23, 2020
Business conferences and live events are a booming sector, with demand growing and growth showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, consulting firm AMR International predicts that the U.S. exhibition market will grow 3.5 percent through 2022.
With growth comes competition among event organizers to bring attendees the best, most seamless digital experience. As event organizers aim to provide the most cutting-edge customer experience, many are turning to technology to enhance even the most mundane tasks. According to a survey by Bizzabo, 86 percent of event marketers believe that technology… more
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Jan 21, 2020
No. 8: Spoil your onsite exhibit staff.
The morale of your on-site exhibit staff is your secret weapon. A happy team is a productive team. And the happier they are, the more positive their interactions with be with your prospects and customers who’ll remember their in-booth interactions with your uber-professional staff. This memorability is what will linger in your prospects’ minds long after your exhibit is back in its crates after the show.
What are you doing to make your on-site exhibit team comfortable with their show participation — mentally and physically?
Since we’re in show biz… more
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Jan 16, 2020
This season, explore mixed materials, rustic themes and bohemian accents for on-trend designs your attendees will love. Infuse your space with what event designers, exhibit planners and trend experts are calling “Mediterranean Craft style,” featuring eclectic elements and woven textures to achieve a sophisticated, yet relaxed curated look.
Here are a few tips to help you incorporate Mediterranean Craft style trends at your next event or exhibit:
Mix and Match Textures
Contrast is key when it comes to Mediterranean Craft, so don’t be afraid to mix and match textures. Try blending velvet… more
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Jan 14, 2020
When it comes to marketing at trade shows, many brands turn to promotional products that are useful and appealing to the public and that can also help build up awareness and drum up business. And while there are clothing items, toys, water bottles, pens and numerous other products to consider, tech gadgets are something that exhibitors should definitely be using as swag.
Why?
First off, this is a tech-driven world, full of devices: About 85% of adults own cell phones. Over 60% of those who fall into the category of Gen X or Baby Boomers own desktop computers, while most younger generations… more
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Jan 08, 2020
One of the best tools trade show planners have in their toolbox is a strong relationship with their audio-visual provider.
AV brings a trade show to life with dynamic lighting, sound and interactive experiences that engage and excite attendees, letting them know they are somewhere special.
Everyone Wants a Moment to Shine
No matter the makeup of an audience, you need to keep in mind that it’s full of real people, not just the labels of attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. People tend to have similar interests and desires, which include being seen.
“In my experience, people generally want… more
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Jan 02, 2020
In Explori and UFI’s 2018/19 Global Visitor Insights Report supported by SISO, 13,000 trade show visitor responses were analyzed and 135 countries were represented to create the largest study of trade show experience. The findings suggest six key indicators of future success for trade show organizers. With themes such as festivalization, sustainability and personalization, it is clear that the industry is ripe with innovation.
Here are the six things trade show organizers should consider in the coming year and beyond to continue attracting and retaining keen visitors.
1. Strike a balance… more
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Dec 17, 2019
Offering clients and vendors tickets to sporting events, concerts or resorts has always been a welcome and fun way to strengthen and nurture business relationships. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act added a major twist on this long-standing tradition of deducting client entertainment expenses on business tax returns.
This may have limited some options, but there are still many opportunities to host outside of the trade show. It’s always important to focus on what really adds value for your clients. For some, it might not be entertaining. For others, it’s still an important part of a complete… more
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Dec 16, 2019
Because I’m a sustainability consultant, you may assume that I believe in human-caused climate change. Until recently, I’ve avoided talking much about climate change to my professional audience, because I want to avoid being polarizing or political.
First of all, if you’ve made this assumption, you’re correct — I do believe, based on the consensus of thousands of scientists, that human activities are changing our climate. However, I no longer believe that climate change is a political issue. I wouldn’t even call it an environmental issue.
It’s an everything issue. The growing instability of… more
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Dec 12, 2019
What’s worse than your swag being abandoned on a booth counter is your swag being thrown in the garbage on its way off the trade show floor. Not only is this a waste of your planning efforts and marketing dollars, but it’s also really bad for the environment. Think about all of those wasted foam squishy balls, plastic pens, paper pamphlets and post-it note pads waiting to be shipped off to a landfill. If we’re going to work on reducing, reusing and recycling in every other facet of life and business operations, we should also work on reducing waste at trade shows, too.
There are hundreds of… more
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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.