Experts & Opinions
Aug 06, 2016
When it comes to vendor events, your company only has a small window of time to bring in potential customers and wow them. The staffers at your booth are your first line at these events, therefore success is dependent on their behavior during the event. Even the most carefully chosen booth staffers can end up hurting your event, and then, it’s time to say goodbye. Here are 9 reasons you should fire your booth staffer.
Lateness or Failing to Show Up
The reasoning is simple: if your booth staffers don’t show up, you have a few products on a table and nothing else. The key to success in a vendor… more
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Aug 06, 2016
I recently attended an industry event where I listened to a panel of five exhibitors speak to a room full of show managers. The exhibitors all strongly agreed that their number one need was communication and education.
Communicating information about what tools to use and creating educational opportunities for your exhibitors to understand the usage and benefits will help them to maximize the value of your event and fulfill their company’s exhibiting goals. By giving your exhibitors what they need and when they need it you are helping them to succeed and ensuring that when you call to sell… more
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Jul 30, 2016
Selecting event technology can be a daunting task. If you’re an event planner, there is so much to choose from and so little time. Features, functions, and data outputs are certainly key factors in making a decision, but those come later in the purchase process. To get the right technology, planners should first start with identifying meeting objectives and take it from there.
Identify Macro Objectives
Every meeting has a goal. Corporate meetings could drive more sales, increase customer loyalty, or educate employees. Association meetings may want to educate members, earn revenue, increase… more
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Jul 30, 2016
It’s in the news, and it’s on everyone’s phone. In the last week, I’ve read over a dozen articles about Pokémon Go, and that’s just within the events industry!
Just last night while walking down a normally quiet downtown street, there were groups of people, heads down with their faces aglow – searching for Poke Gyms, Stops, Medals and more.
So I’m calling it now; Pokémon Go is most likely the app that launched a thousand copy-cat apps. So how does a trade show organizer react to what is the first wave of mass adoption of AR? Let’s take a breather from our devices and look at this from a… more
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Jul 22, 2016
A lot goes into a successful trade show experience and every business wants to receive a profitable return on their show investment. Aside from the show itself the most important thing to remember is that most of the work for marketing is in the preparation and implementation leading up to the show.
This is particularly true when it comes to the promotional products (baseball hats, pens, cups, etc.) offered in your booth or at any time during the event. By putting adequate time and thought into the process, you can avoid the pitfalls of a poorly executed and costly, promotional… more
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Jul 16, 2016
Can you design anticipation? Get people so excited about your event that they are literally counting down the days until it kicks off?
That’s how I felt leading up to this year’s Coachella — and it got me thinking about brand experiences. Statistics show that our current generation puts much greater value on experiences and events than ever before. But what makes certain events stand out? How can you amp up your hype?
Based on my recent experience at Coachella, here are a few tips to maximize attendee anticipation for your next event:
The Whole Package
Part of the… more
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Jul 16, 2016
Unique trade show ideas and promotional concepts can help make your booth exhibit an amazing experience and sought after destination for attendees at your special event, trade show and convention.
Successful exhibitors are constantly on the lookout for new, creative marketing concepts that differentiate their display areas from the competition and attract crowds that ultimately convert into new sales revenue. Stick out from the sea of other exhibition booths and provide your attendee with instant excitement and value.
Listed below are three activation ideas that can be… more
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Jul 07, 2016
I am a serial networker, and I am guessing you have heard this before from many others, but in my case, it is absolutely true.
Networking has been a staple of business development since the dawn of time, and it has been covered extensively in a good number of articles, blog posts and talk shows.
Many of us have different approaches when it comes to expanding our web – be it for business or personal use. There’s a myriad of choices on how to approach networking; no wonder there’s a new blog post or web article published about it in what seems like a daily basis!
Recently, I was at a… more
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Jul 02, 2016
As experienced trade show and conference planners know, the bar has been set higher for the marketing return on investment (ROI) their events deliver. A great venue in a great city no longer suffices. Now, the expectation is that event sponsors and exhibitors will be able to measure performance and improve attendee engagement in order to gain a measurable ROI on generated leads to justify show spends. One way they are achieving this outcome is through the application of sophisticated attendance tracking solutions, such as self-monitored scanners and now beacon technology.
Capturing Actionable… more
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Jun 25, 2016
So much business is based on the belief that we should do whatever we can within legal limits to make as much money as we can. Ben & Jerry's was based on values, and we try to operate a business that not just sells ice cream but partners with all our stakeholders - whether that's suppliers or customers - to bring about a more sustainable world. -- Jerry Greenfield
When I took over management responsibilities for the International Poultry Expo (now the International Production & Processing Expo), my association president who had previously been the show manager told me that managing… 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.