Experts & Opinions
Jan 09, 2015
I read a tech crunch article recently about Microsoft buying Mojang (makers of Minecraft) for the mere sum of $2.5 billion dollars. If you have a child in the tween age bracket, I don’t need to explain what Minecraft is. This popular video game was founded with the understanding that gamers want to contribute and participate, not simply consume the game. I thought about it and believe there are some parallels that are applicable to the live events industry.
How does this relate to our industry? We’re seeing this same shift with attendees.
Here’s the trend that stuck out to me the most (and… more
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Jan 09, 2015
Trade shows typically only last a few days, but the planning that goes into them takes far longer – in fact, it should begin as far as a year in advance. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do and when.
T-minus 12 months: Look into the trade show options within your industry, then zero in on the one(s) that will best complement your brand's marketing and sales strategy. Research the event(s) – previous exhibitors, attendee demographics, the size of the venue, etc. – then use this information to put together a budget and ROI projection.
T-minus nine months: Establish specific objectives… more
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Jan 04, 2015
Going green is a constantly evolving practice. As technologies improve and ideas are spread, there are always new ways to make your next event greener than the last. One of the keys to throwing a green event is surrounding yourself with eco-minded individuals who understand and support the cause. Make sure your green dream team is ready to make 2015 a great year for trade shows with these four ways to green your trade show team in 2015.
1. Get together, make a plan and define some goals. Determine the emissions thresholds or how much energy is acceptable to use… more
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Jan 04, 2015
I always start my New Year’s resolutions early. I feel that getting a jump start on the New Year is a great way to, well, get a jump start on the New Year! Here is a list of things event managers can do now to prepare for 2015.
Check your inventory: The end of the year is a great time to review your inventory of both trade show graphics and items you have in your ‘must take to each show’ stash. Throw away graphics that are old, ratted, or no longer relevant (you are paying for storing those, so do you really need to keep them ‘just in case’?) For that ‘must take… more
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Dec 20, 2014
A recent study by American Express found 90 percent of attendees who own a smartphone specifically use it for business at meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Nearly half of event attendees also own tablets. With smartphone and tablet usage continuing to rise and mobile apps becoming a mainstay at events in all industries, it’s time to take a closer look at how Wi-Fi access at an event facility impacts event apps and the attendee experience.
Wi-Fi Logistics at the Event Facility
Every event facility contains its own set of unique logistics. Is the event located at a hotel… more
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Dec 20, 2014
Shift from cold calls to connect calls. Using this script below you will be able to show your prospects that you understand their pain points.
Following up on leads you gathered at a trade show can be challenging. If you took the time to take notes on your interaction that will make things easier. You’ll know what products they have shown interest and whether they are ready to move forward.
Keeping the notes you made in mind, here are some additional questions that will show your prospects that you have their needs in mind, not yours.
“A lot of time, when I talk to companies like yours… more
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Dec 13, 2014
Sponsorships are a great way for exhibitors and corporate marketers to be seen and experienced by their target audience, but with the influx of marketing initiatives, it’s becoming harder and harder for companies to stand out and connect with their consumers. Companies invest in sponsorships because they recognize the value of connecting with their segment of the market. But it’s time to look beyond the logo placement and reexamine what connecting really looks like.
We recently compiled a database of all sponsorships offered by the top 250 U.S. trade shows, the top 50 Canadian trade shows,… more
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Dec 13, 2014
When I stumbled into the exhibition industry, I didn’t have a mentor to steer me through the inevitable career potholes. After learning from various mistakes and wins, I figured my wealth of knowledge would help steer the next generation of industry leaders.
Here are the eight lessons I learned along the way that are still applicable:
1) Become a Student of Office Politics - No matter how large or small your employer is, there are always internal dynamics that aren’t reflected on an org chart. When you join a new organization, remember to spend some time just observing…. Influencers,… more
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Dec 07, 2014
The prospect of planning for a trade show can seem like a daunting task. After all, overlooking the smallest thing may result in a day-of calamity that affects the viability of your lead generation efforts and compromises the impact you intend to have on the audience – not exactly the impression you're aiming to make.
When sitting down to write an event checklist, you'll likely find you have a lot of ideas at first. Holding a brainstorming session is a great approach if you're just looking to get everything down on paper, but you'll need to come up with a more structured list down the road.… more
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Nov 30, 2014
At my high school, we were ranked against classmates each year. When I was starting my senior year, my father gave me some great advice. He told me many of my classmates would slack off in the final year, so if I kept my momentum, I could move up in my ranking.
Now we are entering the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, and I am sure many of us want to go on auto pilot. My advice to you is don’t! Use the few weeks left of 2014 to engage your clients, with a few tips to help you.
If your budget is long gone: Just because your marketing budget is depleted does not mean… 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.