Trade Show Exhibitors Association

Staying connected with your tradeshow booth attendee after the show

2012-01-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

Learn how surveyed trade show attendees give an honest assessment of how they view the show experience and how they deal with what they've learned from the show when they return home. This report provided by Bartizan Connects, a provider of Lead Retrieval systems for trade shows, recently surveyed trade show attendees across a range of industries and show profiles. The focus of the survey was to determine how they view the show experience and how they deal with what they’ve learned from the show when they return home.

When the data was analyzed, they were struck by how ineffective post-show interaction was between attendees and exhibitors.

Download the free document from The Tradeshow Network Marketing Group.

How Trade Show Booth Staffing Is Like Speed Dating

2012-01-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

Compared to many international trade shows, U.S. shows have relatively short show hours and fewer show days. This means that most attendees don’t have a lot of time to spend with any one particular trade show booth. They will try to hit as many booths as they can. Oftentimes, there are other events associated with a show that attendees are also visiting. In short, there is a lot of competition for attendee’s attention and you don’t have a lot of time to impress them. Full article at Skyline Exhibits.

Tradeshow Display Bloopers

2012-01-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Bloopers seem to somehow appear at most trade shows and anyone who knows the slightest bit of technology will realize that not everything goes as planned. Plugs get kicked out, systems crash, banner ads crumble, phrases that seem perfectly safe get misinterpreted. It’s all part of the game. Click here

Free Lead Retreival App

2012-01-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

iLeads is the world’s first lead retrieval app. It enables exhibitors to collect trade show leads using an iPhone® or iPod touch®. It’s a new and better way to collect data and exchange information. iLeads benefits exhibitors, attendees, organizers, registration contractors and even sponsors. With features such as notes, surveys and qualifiers exhibitors can capture, qualify and manage trade show leads anywhere.

Link from ConWorld

Use QR Codes so You Don't Get Thrown Away After Tradeshows

2011-12-26T12:03:00.001-08:00

In this article, you'll learn...

Three ways to incorporate QR codes at tradeshows
Five important things to consider before using QR codes

Click here for full article from Marketing Profs.

Video: Exhibitor Training

2011-12-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

From the SEMA Exhibitor Education Summit. Learn how to: Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses; Use social media to expand your marketing reach; Properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience; Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships; Use proven strategies to get buyers to your booth; Work one-on-one with Show experts to reduce your expenses and maximize your ROI.

Video 1hour, 20 minutes

Four Event Marketing Predictions for 2012

2011-12-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

In this article, you'll learn...

Which technologies and tactics will emerge for event marketing in 2012
How event marketers can boost tradeshow success using new trends

How to Calculate Your Costs

2011-12-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

From Exhibitor Magazine.

In a perfect world, exhibit managers would sit down once or twice a year to plan their trade show budgets. Show budgeting is often a frantic, data-starved, number-crunching binge launched after a visit from management.

This article has the statistics, formulas and guidelines you need to accurately estimate expenses for your next trade show.

Exhibitors Favor Attendance Quality Above All Else

2011-12-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

The quality of attendees is by far the most important factor to exhibitors when deciding whether to exhibit at a trade show or exhibition, according to a new study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.

The study found that 84 percent of marketing executives surveyed cited attendance quality as the most prevalent factor driving the decision to exhibit. “Results to this study indicate that an exhibition’s reputation for delivering quality attendance is the most influential factor in persuading a company to exhibit,” stated CEIR Research Director Nancy Drapeau. “In a business climate where resources are scarce, exhibition organizers are wise to allocate some of these resources to audience acquisition and retention efforts,” she added. “Bringing the right audience to exhibitors and the right content to attendees that keeps them coming back positions an event for stability and growth.” Continue Reading from Association Meetings

How to Make a Trade Show Profitable

2011-11-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars for a trade show booth, get your money’s worth.

By Vanessa Merit Nornberg | Nov 23, 2011

This week I spent time filling out the application to attend the largest trade show in my industry. The small booth costs $3,995, just for the raw space. Add to that the airfare, lodging, meals, and costs of having sales reps in the booth instead of in the office, as well as the time and labor before the show getting displays ready, and I spend close to $10,000 to get us there. While that’s a good bit of money, I know it is worth spending, because my team will typically do three to five times that in sales on the trade show floor, and that’s not counting additional business after the show.

However, there are a lot of companies that exhibit at this show which don’t do as well as we do—yet they have paid the same money, and often times, a lot more, to be there. When they return home, I imagine they lament that it was not a good show for them and worry about how they are going to recoup their expenses. This moment of hindsight comes too late.

Here’s how I recommend you make a trade show profitable—ahead of time: Continue Reading from Inc.

Section 179 Tax Incentive for Exhibitors Ends December 31

2011-11-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

Thinking about upgrading or purchasing a display for your upcoming trade show season? Do you have some marketing funds that need to be used before the end of the year? Want to stretch your exhibiting budget and get more display for the money? The time has never been better for investing in your company with a new display, thanks to the Section 179 Tax Incentive. Continue Reading from Exhibitor News Network.

NEW CEIR RESEARCH ON EXHIBITION TRENDS – Third Fact Sheet Released

2011-11-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

Exhibitions Deliver Unique Value Not Provided by Other Marketing Channels

DALLAS, 17 November 2011 – Today, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) releases the third fact sheet in the new study series reveals that marketing executives find business-to-business exhibitions uniquely valuable.

Ninety-nine percent of surveyed marketing executives identified a unique value of business-to-business exhibitions that is not provided by other marketing channels. The most popular value is the ‘ability to see a large number of prospects and customers over a short period of time,’ selected by 60 percent of executives.

CEIR Research Director Nancy Drapeau, PRC observes, "This result is impressive in light of the many options available to marketers. The ability to meet face-to-face with a critical mass of an organization’s prospects and customers in a compressed timeframe is a highly coveted value unique to business-to-business exhibitions."

Background on the Study
On 10 November 2011, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced the release of results from The 2011 Changing Environment of Exhibitions Study which explores how the exhibition industry is evolving and provides key market insights on opportunities and threats.

Findings document the current and planned use of the full array of available marketing, communications and sales tactics; positioning of business-to-business exhibitions in this mix; current high priority marketing and sales objectives and perceived value of using business-to-business exhibitions to achieve them; as well as the factors that drive the decision to exhibit or pull out of an exhibition.

This document, Exhibitions Offer Unique Value Not Provided by Other Marketing Channels, is the third of 10 separate fact sheets that will be released with actionable suggestions on how organizers and exhibitors can use the results to enhance their business objectives.

CEIR’s online research library available at www.ceir.org offers industry professionals an array of tools to assist in the planning and marketing of exhibitions for organizers, exhibitors and suppliers. Industry trend data is also a trusted source for press, consultants and the financial community.

This initiative is funded by grants from the Exhibition Industry Research and the MPI Foundation, CEIR.

Methodology: The data for this study was obtained from an online survey of marketing executives across industry sectors who are involved in marketing and promotions decisions, including deciding whether to exhibit at exhibitions. Target companies included those that exhibited in at least one business-to-business exhibition in the past two years. A total of 298 executives participated from a sample of 14,636, for a response rate of 2.1 percent.

For more information on this report series, contact Nancy Drapeau, PRC, Research Director of CEIR at ndrapeau@ceir.org or +1 (207) 332-9839.

About CEIR
CEIR serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering knowledge-based research tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org.

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Media Contact:
Susan Brower, CMM, CCP
sbrower@ceir.org
+1 (972) 687-9207

7 Deadly Sins of Tradeshow Marketing (and How to Avoid Them)

2011-11-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

From not doing preshow marketing to simply not having good booth staff – in this post you’ll learn the top 7 reasons why exhibitors don't make sales at trade shows. It will also teach you the best trade show exhibitor practices. Continue Reading from TSNN

Does Swag Work?

2011-11-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

This year, the U.S. promotional products industry is estimated to be a $17.4 billion market. To put that figure in perspective, American wineries have annual revenues of $14 billion, breakfast cereal manufacturers have revenues of $12 billion, and movie ticket sales are about $10 billion. Americans will spend more on swag this year than they do on amusement parks and arcades, more than on dry cleaning, more than on coffee shops including Starbucks and Peet’s.

Swag sells. But, why? And more importantly, can it really do much to promote your brand? Continue Reading from Fast Company

Jim Spellos Speaking at Collaborate 2011

2011-11-05T09:16:00.001-07:00

Great 8 minute video on Social Media. Click here.

McCormick Place Labor Pact Preserves Some Work-Rule Changes

2011-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

10/27/2011 - Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday announced agreements with two McCormick Place labor groups that largely will preserve work-rule changes enacted at the convention center last summer.

Under the agreements with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and Teamsters Local 727, the major reforms to remain include allowing show managers and exhibitors to assemble their own booths, handle their own equipment and unload their own vehicles.

Concessions from the unions also include allowing work to be done by two-person crews, instead of the three workers required before. Other terms that survive from the original June 2010 work-rule reforms are significantly lower food prices and the ability for exhibitors to choose their electrical service provider.

The pact revives work-rule changes ordered by the Illinois General Assembly but later tossed out by a federal court. The original round of reforms came after several big trade shows threatened to leave Chicago for rival convention host cities.

"We made changes last year in direct response to what our customers demanded," Jim Reilly, trustee of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, said in a statement. "Now, working in partnership with labor, we have overcome some of the biggest obstacles to our efforts to lure new shows to the city."

The settlements reached with carpenters and Teamsters will end their federal lawsuits that challenged some of the reforms.

Events at McCormick Place support 66,000 jobs and generate $8 billion of associated spending a year, according to officials at the Friday morning news conference.

For more information contact Mitt Arnaudet, Member Services Director of the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, at mitt@esca.org.

5 Ways to Make Your Trade Show Booth More Exciting

2011-10-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Fall has arrived, which means conference and trade show season is hitting full swing. Perhaps your company is one of the many small businesses that will set up a booth in an exhibit hall — and you’re wondering how to get attendees to stop at yours to see what you’re all about. Continue reading from Intuit Small Business Blog.

Trade Show Planning Timeline: Manage Your Logistics AND Marketing

2011-10-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

To master the deadline-driven world of trade shows depends on great planning.

Yet, all too often, important marketingplanning gets overshadowed by urgent logisticsplanning. Because of the flood of deadlines, we get more distracted by the “what to do” rather than the “why to do” it.

But, it’s just as essential to plan marketing things. Things such as your goals for the show, your marketing messages for your graphics and staffers and creating a promotional campaign that will get more of the right people to your booth.

Here are some ideas for your plan, either for a single show or for your entire program. Marketing and logistics steps are mixed together, as you need to do both to truly succeed. Continue Reading from TSNN

Facebooking at the Tradeshow

2011-09-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

While there are literally dozens, if not hundreds of things you could do to interact with Facebook while at your tradeshow, let’s look a few of the basics. Are you covering these?

Does your blog (assuming you have a blog) have a Facebook page widget inviting readers to connect (like) with you? That’s a must. Every one that likes your Facebook page through your blog is another person that you can connect with in another place. And the good thing is that they are able to do that without even landing on your Facebook page. More from The Tradeshow Guy blog.

Using Scent To Enhance Your Trade Show Displays

2011-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Smart marketers know that the sense of smell is an important one. Using scent carefully and purposefully can help drive purchases and create a great impression of your company when an attendee visits your trade show booth. Although many companies know they should include scent into their displays, they're lost when it comes to actually choosing a smell and including it in their trade show exhibits. Consider how each scent can affect your visitors and choose the one that best matches your company's booth and your desired outcome.

Citrus Can Encourage People To Stay Longer

Citrus smells, such lemon, lime and orange have a fresh clean smell that actually encourages visitors to linger in your trade show booth, but it also increases alertness. This means that your visitors will stick around your trade show displays, but that they'll also pay attention to what message your display is conveying.

Peppermint Acts As A Mental Stimulant

Minty smells, like peppermint, spearmint or cinnamon act as a mental stimulant. Studies have shown that mint improves performance on speed and accuracy tasks, as well as lowers fatigue. A peppermint smell might help your employees more than your visitors, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be included in your trade show exhibits.

Three Tips for Tradeshow Success

2011-09-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

"Many have pronounced tradeshow marketing dead," writes Bob Hebeisen at MarketingProfs. "But with the right strategy, hard work, and flawless execution, tradeshows can still be a productive part of your marketing plan." To make the most of your lead-generating budget, he suggests a twelve-step process that takes you from pre-show planning to post-show analysis. Here's a sampling of his advice:

Using a Video Loop in your Booth

2011-09-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a video produced as a silent loop to play in a tradeshow booth.

Use Video Marketing to Maximize Trade Show Results

2011-09-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

The impact of videos on your trade show results should be significant if you properly use video in your marketing strategy. According to the Internet measurement, experts at comScore in early 2011 reported that an average of 1.2 billion Internet videos are being watched each day in the U.S.!

It’s clear people really do like videos: they engage both sight and sound senses, deliver a message quickly, show us “who” and “how,” and perhaps entertain us a bit. So how do you capitalize on using video in your trade show strategy? Continue Reading from TSN.

Attendees flock to tradeshows in 2011

2011-09-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

The anonymous quote, statistics can be made to prove anything, could easily be applied to the tradeshow industry in the early months of 2011. Could attendance numbers from a few random conventions signal a rebound for the industry? The answer: Either the U.S. population is showing an enhanced interest in poultry, Macintosh computers and textiles, or the tradeshow industry is off to an excellent start in 2011.

In fact, the industry actually got off to that good start at the end of 2010. Continue reading from Exhibit City News

Embrace Your Irrational Colleagues

2011-09-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Organizations of course are composed of people, all of whom act irrationally at various times and seemingly do the "wrong" things. So it's no wonder that we often run into a colleague, boss, or subordinate who just can't seem to consider a completely reasonable suggestion. If you find yourself in this situation, here are two simple and "rational" guidelines to keep in mind:

Don't try to fight irrationality with rationality. It will only make you more frustrated and the other person more defensive. No matter how many well-constructed arguments you offer, you won't make headway until you understand the underlying motivation that is driving the other person.
Focus on discovering, understanding, and embracing the other person's rationale. Even if your adversary is being driven by unconscious motivations, it's important to try to figure them out. Resistance to apparent logic always comes from somewhere, and you won't be able to breakthrough until you understand the reason. For example, sales people often resist logical and straightforward sales-model changes because they fear that compensation will be affected, or that customer relationships will be harmed. Until you understand and deal with those underlying issues it's difficult to make headway.
Full Article from Harvard Business Review

19 Chuck Norris Exhibitor Jokes

2011-09-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Chuck Norris’s toughness is so legendary, there are hundreds of Chuck Norris jokes on the internet about his strength and fearsomeness. For example:

Guns are warned not to play with Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience.

But what if Chuck Norris was an exhibitor? What feats of strength, endurance, and excellence could Chuck bring to trade shows? The mind boggles at the possibilities:

Continue reading from B2C

Exhibition Industry Outperforms U.S. Economy, CEIR Reports

2011-08-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Although the country's economic recovery continues to lag amid fears of a double-dip recession, the exhibition industry is on the rise, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which last week released the second-quarter results of its CEIR Index research report, showing that the exhibition industry outperformed the overall U.S. economy during the first half of 2011. Continue reading from Successful Meetings

EXHIBITOR Research Shows Most Exhibitors Still Own Exhibit Structures

2011-08-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

EXHIBITOR Media Group, the leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, today announced the results of EXHIBITOR Magazine's 2011 Rental/Refurb Survey, sponsored by Lynch Exhibits Inc., which indicate that while most exhibitors still own their structures, many extend exhibit life through refurbishment.

Results of the survey show that 89 percent of exhibitors own at least one exhibit structure. Nearly a quarter of respondents own five or more exhibits, while 31 percent of exhibit managers plan to build a new custom exhibit in the next 12 months.

"Custom is apparently still king," commented Travis Stanton, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine. "But it's clear that rentals and refurbs are viable, cost-efficient options that offer exhibit managers their own unique benefits." Continue reading from MarketWatch

7 Rules for Selling at Trade Shows

2011-08-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

RULE #1: Avoid Being Blackmailed. Trade show organizers often try to sell pricey booth space by raising the specter that your customers will think you’re going out of business if you don’t show up. Ignore them and decide to attend only if you think it’s useful or cost-effective. If you’re worried about customers thinking you’re in trouble, rent a suite in a nearby hotel, and hold a big party. It will cost about 1/10th as much and have more impact anyway.
RULE #2: Ignore Marketing’s “We Gotta Be There.” Marketeers love ALL trade show because they can run up the expense account and network (i.e. job seek and/or sleep with) with other marketeers. Nothing wrong with that, but it might not be the best way to spend your marketing dollars. Continue reading from BNET

Go Green At Your Next Trade Show: Recycle

2011-08-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

The definition of “recycle” is “to convert waste into reusable material.” Although I've already discussed how to best reuse material in your exhibit, I'll take a closer look at a few more ways you can implement recycling into your trade show experience.

There are many economic and environmental benefits to recycling. For instance, it:

-Saves energy

-Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change

-Prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from new materials

-Conserves natural resources

-Helps your business save money

-Creates roughly 1.1 million U.S. jobs

Continue reading from Map Dynamics

Magic's Social Media and Interaction Strategies Expand Show's Reach, Triple Attendee Engagement

2011-08-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

The show floor is buzzing this week for Magic, the massive fashion trade event running Monday through Wednesday at the Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay convention centers, with related events all around town.

But the impact of the event goes well beyond the walls of the show's venues here in Las Vegas: Digital and social media strategies have allowed Magic to transform from a twice-yearly program in town to a 365-day platform that reaches fashion industry people all over the world. Continue reading from BizBash

I’m Sick and Tired of Exhibitors Who Won’t Follow-up

2011-08-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

I’m really miffed right now. Actually I’ve been miffed for about a month. I’m miffed as a trade show attendee and I’m really miffed as a trade show producer. Why am I miffed? Let me tell you. Continue reading from B2C

How to Look and Act Like a Leader

2011-08-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

Savvy executives know the part, act the part and look the part. That's because they exude "executive presence," a broad term used to describe the aura of leadership. Continue Reading from the Wall Street Journal.

Taking the Meeting to Those Who Missed It

2011-08-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Your marketing doesn’t have to end when you pack up and leave the trade show. You can extend the life of any meeting, conference, or convention—and you can do it almost for free. Here’s how. Continue reading from MeetingsNet

8 Ways to Use Social Media in your Tradeshow Marketing

2011-08-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

Be involved.
Be proactive.
Keep an ear to the ground (continued research)
Plan and execute event-related social media campaigns
Track metrics of engagement
Write up reports on results
Stay informed on cutting edge technology
Use the technology that makes the most sense

Let’s break those down a bit more, okay? Continue reading from The Tradeshow Guy Blog

Seven Tips To Jump-Start Your Creativity

2011-08-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

I consider myself fairly creative. I am not more creative than you.

I’ve just spent a lot of time practicing creativity.

And I’ve surrounded myself with people who constantly encourage me that I can be creative. It helps that my parents, family and teachers always encouraged me that I was creative. Believing that inner voice that “You are creative” is extremely important to success. Continue reading from Jeff Hurt at Velvet Chainsaw

Tradeshow etiquette: The dos and don’ts of exhibiting

2011-08-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

Just as there is a right and wrong way of conducting oneself in almost all walks of life, there is proper etiquette that should be followed at tradeshows to make the right impression on attendees and prospective clients. After all, first impressions are often lasting ones. Everything from event attire to proper acknowledgement of those who’ve been of particular assistance is susceptible to scrutiny and it is always paramount to remember that you are not only representing yourself but rather your company at large. Full article from Exhibit City News

TSEA Announces New Board of Directors

2011-08-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

8/4/2011 - The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) is pleased to announce the new additions to its 2011-2012 Board of Directors. Ann Pennino, CME, Praxair, Inc. took over as Chairman of TSEA's Board along with four new Directors-at-Large.

"The TSEA Board has played a critical role in the expansion of association activities, including Face to Face Connections™, TSEA's hosted buyer programs; the new Certified Manager of Exhibits™ program; and advocacy and education programs at Red Diamond Congress webinars," commented Margit Weisgal, "I am excited to continue this momentum with the caliber and experience of our 2011-2012 Board." More

Why YouTube is Essential to Your Tradeshow Marketing Success

2011-08-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Let’s put a box around this: YouTube doesn’t make or break your tradeshow marketing success. Certainly you can find exhibitors that have never been on YouTube that have packed up after a show, ecstatic at the results they got at the show.

With YouTube, though, you’re moving into a whole new realm. If you haven’t added videos to the YouTube mix, here are a number of reasons why you should seriously consider using the platform as part of your tradeshow marketing efforts. Full Article from Tradeshowguy Blog.

Trade Show Tax Tips

2011-07-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

Trade shows are great for bringing together the industry’s most important players and prospects. But all that product-seeking and hand-shaking comes at a cost. Airfares, hotels and restaurant meals represent a hit to your bottom line.

Uncle Sam does offer some respite for the trade-show traveler, however. Prudent and thorough deductions of travel expenses on your income-tax returns can help soften the financial blow.

Link to full article

How to Use Social Media to Maximize Your Trade Show Presence

2011-07-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Trade shows are places to meet and greet, schmooze, and hopefully, gather leads by the bucketful. But they are also one of the most competitive battlefields in business. After all, where else are all the competitors in any one sector lined up row after row, one after the other, competing for customers? Read more

Judge Halts McCormick Place Convention Reforms in Chicago

2011-07-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

See article at Successful Meetings.

You Want Me to Pay What? Part I

2011-07-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Upon speaking with show services providers, the exhibitor was floored to learn that she would have to pay $500+ for a simple pedestal and $200+ for a simple high boy table. No way! During the show, she couldn’t quite comprehend the $1,000+ charges for Internet service—especially since her laptop picked up a full wireless signal from the onsite Internet cafe the whole time, at no charge. Really? After the show, the exhibitor was flabbergasted to learn that her boss had received an invoice for almost $500 in additional labor charges… on top of the several hundred dollars’ worth of charges for services that had already been paid onsite. After all, no one in show services had mentioned those additional charges.

Some industry professionals might read this recount with outrage over the additional expenses associated with exhibiting. Others might view these charges as par for the course and might still be waiting for the punch line.

Here, in the first installment of a three-part series, PlannerWire heard from exhibitors and trade show professionals about how exhibiting expenses are impacting some companies today. Full article from PlannerWire

Is Tradeshow Marketing Dead? 12 Tips to Resuscitate a Classic Lead-Gen Tactic

2011-06-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

In this article, you'll learn...

12 steps to getting results from your next tradeshow
How to effectively plan and execute your tradeshow strategy at each stage

TSEA's Advocacy Efforts: Member comment

2011-06-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

As an exhibitor I want to applaud TSEA for putting together the Red Diamond Congress. I attended last year when it was open to only exhibitors, and I learned a ton about the industry and its inner workings. The event equipped me with language and ideas to have real conversations with my vendors and the organizations where I exhibit.

I saw on the registration site that this year's event will include vendor partners, organizers, general contractors etc. I'm thrilled to hear this because including everyone is the only way to broaden discussions around material handling, cost transparency and effective consumer engagements to come up with real solutions. With the increasing pressure we exhibitors face to cut costs and prove ROI, this forum is exactly what the F2F marketing industry needs to stay relevant and provide a venue where all stakeholders can work together for a mutual benefit.

-by Bob Exhibitor

What do you think of TSEA's RDC?

McCormick Place, Trade Shows, and Unions: The Latest Labor Battle

2011-06-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

In short: the state passed legislation meant to curtail the costs of holding exhibitions at McCormick Place. Some of the changes were pretty small, but convenient for exhibitors, like allowing them to bring their own food and beverages instead of having to buy them through McPier. But some of the rules impact labor: "The rights also include expanded hours for straight time, allowing exhibitors to select specific workers, reducing worker crew sizes and reducing the number of stewards working the floor."

Sound simple? It's not. As Crain's Greg Hinz put it in 2009:

Right now, McPier is a hydra-headed monster jointly run by the mayor and the governor. Since neither has ultimate responsibility, each has grabbed the goodies rather than taking care of business, with the mayoral-controlled McPier board left free to squabble with the gubernatorial- selected McPier CEO.

It's complicated: it's a government entity, in an awkward place between the city and state, which is complicated enough, but the actual business of putting on conventions is done by private businesses. The exhibitors, i.e. the people actually showing stuff, pay the trade association, which puts people in front of the exhibitors. The trade association pays McPier for the floor space, and hires a contractor, which is paid by the association but recoups the cost from the exhibitors. Full article.

Surviving and Thriving in This Uncertain Economy

2011-06-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

As you know, companies are looking at their departmental budgets much closer these days and are trying to figure out ways to cut costs. You probably all feel it; unfortunately a lot of times trade shows are one of the first areas where cuts are being made. Although we know this is often an overreaction, we also know this is due to many companies not making the best of their trade show opportunities. So how do we as an industry and individuals address this problem, find ways to keep doing business and keep exhibitors exhibiting? Let’s take a look at several questions on that topic and what the answers are to thrive in this economy.

How did the trade show industry fall victim to the economic problems and how can we avoid this from happening again? Full Article from B 2 C

Exploding iPad Use at Tradeshows

2011-06-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

Tim Patterson has a great follow-up article on The Tradeshow Guy Blog. Link.

The Low Down on Trade Show Exhibit Layouts

2011-05-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

There are ins and outs and pros and cons to all the various types of trade show booth layouts, and determining which layout will deliver the best results for your company can be a difficult task. Evaluating your company’s needs and objectives will be your first step in determining which exhibit floor plans will work best for you. More from Alexis Exhibits

Booth Babes: Killing Your Brand One Tradeshow at a Time

2011-05-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the practice of using scantily clad women at business tradeshows is still ever present. Even more unfortunate is the fact that the companies using this tactic don’t understand the damage they are causing to their brand. When I walk by a “Booth Babe”, my first thought is “this company must not have anything interesting to say or showcase if they need to resort to using barely dressed models to create buzz.” Assuming that the company does have something interesting to show, I have yet to meet a “Booth Babe” that was able to articulate the brand message or purpose of the company they were hired to represent. This is by no means the fault of the “Booth Babe” but rather a common result of using a hired model that has no affinity towards your brand. Full Article from B2C

EXHIBITOR Research Shows Virtual Events Unlikely to Soon Replace Face-to-Face

2011-05-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Marketers Not Adopting Virtual Alternatives to Live Events as Rapidly as Previously Expected. Link to article

How To Use Video At Trade Shows

2011-05-22T07:29:00.001-07:00

Tips For Making A Better Video For Your Trade Show Exhibits

Optimizing your videos for use at conventions is much easier if you follow these easy steps:

Incorporate client testimonials and product or service reviews from real clients.
Clearly explain your company's mission and goals and detail the different ways your company is able to help its clients.
Use evergreen topics and promos so that your videos are relevant whatever the season.
When using graphics, choose up-to-date styles that appeal to your audience.
Use your video for more than just background noise by making it a part of something bigger, like a product unveiling or business expansion.
Don't just drop a video monitor in the middle of your trade show exhibits and let your video play on a continuous loop. Effective trade show booths incorporate the video expertly, making them a part of the larger design and the overall presentation.
Develop several videos if you have the budget for them, and rotate them throughout the duration of the event.
Make videos that will stay relevant. Avoid fads and trends that will soon be outdated so that you can reuse the media at upcoming shows.
Hire someone to do professional voiceovers to ensure that they are of the highest quality. Full Article.

Biggest Exhibitor Mistakes at Trade Shows

2011-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Powerpoint presentation on Slideshare. Link.

8 Tricks of the Trade Show

2011-05-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

Slide show from Inc.com

Boost Trade Show Attendance with Video

2011-05-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

For Exhibitors:

Nothing will attract more attendees to your booth than showing them why they should be there in the first place. Interview your staff and make sure to capture any activities you have at your booth (a preview of a presentation, games, magicians, giveaways, etc) If people can see with their own eyes what festivities are taking place, they'll be more prone to get in their car and drive to the event just to see your booth.

Post videos while at the trade show by bringing a camera that can easily connect to a laptop like the Flip Camera. If you don't have a laptop with you, you can take them on your cell phone as long as you are able to upload them to the Internet. Full article from Trade Show Advisor

Lightening the Paper Load

2011-05-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Conferences and trade shows seem to generate vast amounts of paperwork — booklets, programs, handouts, guides. But as increasing numbers of business travelers carry smartphones and tablets, organizers of these events are responding by developing mobile applications.

Most bundle a scheduling tool, floor plan and maybe information about local restaurants or a social networking link on their apps. But a handful of organizers have begun to use apps to reduce or even replace the vast amounts of paper they once carried to events.

Without so much paper to produce for conferences, planners said they were saving time and money. Not only that, business travelers do not need to carry around cumbersome and often heavy printed copies. More from the New York Times

42 Fresh Facts About Twitter & Facebook

2011-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

42 fresh and new facts about Facebook and Twitter that are presented in a truly simple and straight forward manner. Link.

Manage Your Logistics AND Marketing to Get the Most Out of Tradeshows

2011-05-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

To master the deadline-driven world of trade shows depends on great planning.

Yet all too often, important marketing planning gets overshadowed by urgent logistics planning. Because of the flood of deadlines, we get more distracted by the “what to do” rather than the “why to do” it.

Yet it’s just as essential to plan marketing things. Things such as your goals for the show, your marketing messages for your graphics and staffers, and creating a promotional campaign that will get more of the right people to your booth.

Here are some ideas for your plan, either for a single show or for your entire program. Marketing and logistics steps are mixed together, as you need to do both to truly succeed. More from BizBash

Marketers Want More Virtual Events

2011-05-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

VentureBeat reports that virtual events company Unisfair released its annual marketing survey, showing that even more advertisers will be advancing their brands through virtual events this year, with 62 percent saying they would be increasing spending on that medium in 2011, and 42 percent saying they will cut down on how much they budget for physical events. More from Plus Point

Top 14 Things Marketers Need to Know About QR Codes

2011-04-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

A QR Code is a 2D Barcode

QR codes are an encoded barcode image resembling a square-like maze. Unlike a 1-dimensional UPC code, a 2-dimensional barcode stores data in both directions and can be scanned vertically or horizontally to be decoded.

Continue reading this great article.

Three Trending Tradeshow Sales Strategies

2011-04-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Three Tradeshow Selling Strategies

Organizations are competing with other conferences, shows and more measurable marketing mediums. A major shift in your sales approach and your organizational structure must occur if you want to seize this opportunity.

If you want to outperform competitors, consider these three significant sales strategies. Continue reading from Midcourse Corrections.

12 Ways to Engage at Events Using Social Media

2011-04-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Great article including:

3 Ways to use Facebook, 3 Ways to use Twitter, 3 Ways to use YouTube, 3 Ways to use LinkedIn to engage your market at events

Full Article from The Tradeshow Guy Blog

Check your signage to see if it can be read by those that are color blind

2011-04-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

Can color blind attendees read your signage and see your graphics? Here is a site that will allow you to check your materials for different levels of color blindness.

One in 12 people are color blind.

50 Facts about Color Blindness

4 emotional strategies for getting your company to embrace social media

2011-04-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Don’t underestimate the time you will have to spend evangelizing: Talk patiently with everyone, especially with lawyers. Company lawyers will only envisions potential losses when evaluating new technologies. You have to make sure you understand the risks better than them, or the answer is going to be a no.
Make sure the price is right. Most bosses hate spending money, but many popular social media tools are free. Use that as a selling point with your cost-conscious managers. Once you have your foot in the door and have some results you can point to, you can go back and make the case for expanding your efforts and shelling out for more expensive and effective tools — but do so slowly and cautiously.
Attach yourself to that ever-popular project. Every company has a vanity project that everyone fawns over. It’s the project that despite budget cuts and other setbacks always manages to take priority. If you can figure out a way to involve social media with that project, then you are set.
“Find the company that your company has envy for.” Capitalize on that jealousy. No one want to be left in the dust by the enemy. Full article from#SXSW

CEIR Index Report Shows Trade Show Industry Down 2.4 Percent in 2010

2011-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Center for Exhibiton Industry Research released its "CEIR Index Report, An Analysis of the 2010 Exhibition Industry and Future Outlook" that indicated the overall trade show industry fell for the third straight year last year, dipping 2.4 percent. Continue Reading.

Embrace Ambiguity

2011-04-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Ambiguity bothers a lot of people, especially business leaders, who feel success can only be achieve via strict strategies and well-thought out plans that lead to set conclusions. People who follow this philosophy are often thought of as leaders, people to look up to. Read more from Plus Point.

When It Pays to Spend on Trade Shows

2011-04-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

Although webinars and virtual online trade shows have become popular in recent years, and serve a marketing purpose, they are not replacements for face-to-face events, says Bill Sell, vice-president and general manager of CrossTech Media, a Boston company that owns and manages 20 business and professional conferences. "People have been doing in-person selling since the medieval village marketplace and it's never going to be wiped out."

There are about 2,200 trade shows and industry expos held in the U.S. annually, down about 25 percent in the past three to four years, Sell says, but new events have cropped up this year, discontinued shows are coming back, and attendance is expected to improve. "People are recognizing that there is no serendipity factor in webinars. You market to the audience you know and have invited; you can't expect to run into someone you don't know or find new opportunities at a virtual event," he says. Continue reading from Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Smartphones and Tradeshows – A Bad Combination

2011-04-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

America is suffering through a terrible addiction epidemic, the smartphone. Everywhere you look, people have their heads down, staring at the small screen or working the keyboard furiously. Couples ignore each other at dinner, people walk straight into fountains and you have an excuse not to make eye contact on elevators. They have become the adult pacifier. Information or interactions that formerly could wait for hours, can’t wait for seconds. Am I part of the epidemic, of course.

What I noticed last week in Orlando was the effect of the smartphone on a tradeshow. It could eventually lead to the demise of the tradeshow. Three reasons:

1) Your potential clients that are walking through the show, with you hoping to catch their eye? Too bad, they just walked right by, with their head down, looking at voicemails or a video of three Norwegian electricians doing cannonballs into a vat of chocolate pudding. I saw this many times, somehow resisting the urge to trip them (attendees, not electricians) Continue Reading

When is a Virtual Event right for my business?

2011-04-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

When is a virtual event program right for my business?

Glad you asked! Through our own experiences and our clients’ feedback, we’ve discovered that Virtual Events support four basic types of activities that almost every business needs.

Number One: Generate Leads.

Virtual Events supply businesses with a large amount of data for lead qualification.

Think of it this way. When you register for a virtual event, you’re providing “demographic data”. Name, company, title, location…that kind of stuff.

As you move throughout the environment, your actions are recorded, providing Activity Data: Where you went, how long you stayed, what you looked at and who you talked to.

And when you answer direct questions through polls and surveys, you’re providing “Sentiment Data”: What did you think of the presentation? How good was the speaker? Are you informed enough to make a decision? How soon before you’re going to be able to make a decision? etc.

Virtual events provide you with these three types of data and consolidate them into filtered results that give you a list of leads to hand off to your sales team. Pass them on and watch a line form at your door for leads that convert like wildfire. Continue reading from A Wider Net.

Forecast: Three-Year Recovery Ahead for Exhibition Industry

2011-04-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

The exhibition industry hit rock-bottom in 2010, but should see a modest recovery in most sectors during the next three years, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which yesterday released the final results of the 2010 CEIR Index, its exhibition industry barometer.

In a report titled "CEIR Index Report: An Analysis of the 2010 Exhibition Industry and Future Outlook," CEIR indicated that the exhibition industry fell for a third straight year in 2010, declining by 2.4 percent overall. Industry revenue, meanwhile, fell by 8.4 percent. Read More.

The Last One Percent that Kills You

2011-04-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

Each of us can think of countless example — where tremendous sweat, resources, and good faith have gone into some important endeavor, only to have it all foiled by neglecting that last little detail. The first 99% of effort gets destroyed by the lack of the last 1% of it. For example, I've seen more charity events than I can count at which expensive banners get produced but no one has thought about the last step — how they're going to be rigged. People think they'll figure it out when they get there. But 40 mile-an-hour winds require a little more thought than that. The work of a branding company, a graphic design firm, and a banner production company are all thwarted because the banner can't be hung.

We could chock it all up to the fact that accidents happen, but I think that does a disservice to accidents. The last 1% gets overlooked because of a lack of rigor in communication. We play fast and loose with language. Here are a few things we can do to prevent our efforts from being upended: Continue reading from the Harvard Business Review

IAEE to Obama: Adopt New Visa Policies

2011-04-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events is urging President Obama to adopt recommendations made by the President's Export Council intended to fix visa and entry policies that are preventing thousands of international buyers from attending U.S.–based events. Read full article from Association Meetings

It's Time to Think Beyond the Tradeshow Booth

2011-04-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Summary: Tradeshow success is no longer defined by having the biggest booth or the best tchotchkes. If you look beyond traditional exhibit-hall formats, you can create an experience that will keep potential clients coming back for more. Full article from ASAE

Judge rejects McCormick Place work rule revisions

2011-04-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

Efforts by Illinois to preserve McCormick's position as one of the country's premier trade show venues were upended Thursday when a federal judge ruled that the state overstepped its bounds by revising work rules for unionized tradespeople on the show floor.

The ruling threw out passages of the law enacted last year that allow exhibitors to do more of their own booth setup and limit labor overtime and crew sizes. More from the Chicago Tribune.

Trade Show Psychology: Know the Crowd

2011-03-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

A person can be rational, they can be educated, intelligent, pragmatic, they can be talked to, convinced, swayed and argued with. A crowd, on the other hand, is more like a force of nature, something that you can perhaps harness, but rarely control.

Now obviously, once you've reeled a prospect into a trade show booth, you're going to be talking to them one on one, but until then, they're a part of the shapeless mass that is The Crowd. Plucking somebody out of that crowd can be difficult, so here are a few tricks to help your trade show displays stand out... Read more

Conventioneers Predict Positive Year for Las Vegas Trade Shows

2011-03-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

The trade show, Exhibitor 2011, is a convention for exhibitors. It's an opportunity to see the latest and greatest in the convention industry which employs 45,000 people in Las Vegas. The exhibitors at Mandalay Bay's annual show are expecting a good year for business. See video.

GES Offers Free Airport Shuttle for EXHIBITOR2011

2011-03-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

To demonstrate the art of service, GES is welcoming all EXHIBITOR 2011 attendees with complimentary shuttle rides on Sunday, March 27 from McCarran International Airport to Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, Luxor and the Four Seasons hotels. The shuttle will operate every thirty minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all show attendees are welcome. GES' representatives, holding balloons and signage, will be present near airport escalators and exits to direct guests to the shuttle.

Attendees are also invited to join GES' SmartStaff™ booth staff training on Sunday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in room "Surf E" on the second floor of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. More information

Handling the Logistics of Trade Shows

2011-03-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

The trick to effectively coordinating trade show freight services and logistics to transport your tradeshow booth display for on-time delivery to a show venue is meticulous planning and coordination. Larger companies that exhibit frequently often use transport companies that specialize in trade show shipping to handle the logistical details. More from Tradeshow Insider's Blog.

Tradeshow QR Code Usage – A Few Brief Tips

2011-03-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

by Tim Patterson of The Tradeshow Guy blog.

At the Natural Products Expo West show earlier this month in Anaheim, I had the opportunity to scan several QR Codes that were displayed in booths, posters and banners. Some were prominently displayed in large form – maybe a foot square – and others as small as less than one inch on business cards. All in all, I saw perhaps twenty QR Codes. Since I became aware of QR Codes a year ago ago, and have blogged about them a couple of times, I was curious to see how business incorporated the goofy-looking symbol into their marketing efforts.

Here are a few thoughts on what worked and what didn’t: Continue reading.

Six Reasons Why You Should Use QR Codes for Your Next Event

2011-03-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Reason #1: An electronic conference brochure — On a press release, event poster, marketing video, email blast, promotional products, or even a Twitter/Facebook post include a QR Code with a link to a downloadable PDF brochure.

Reason #2: Create a Link to Conference Website –Use any of the channels identified above to distribute your link to prospective attendees. If your event registration and/or housing process is online you can post links to these locations as well.

Reason #3: Conference Handouts — Post a QR code on the screen in the meeting room and participants can scan whatever the session handout into their smartphone.

Reason #4: Post Event Survey/Evaluation — Once again, post the QR code for link to the evaluation form on the session screen, and attendees can immediately provide feedback regarding the session they have just attended.

Reason #5: Media Access — provide access to links for event music, video archives or pictures via a QR code.

Reason #6: Share Contact Information — speakers, or exhibitors can post a QR code with their electronic contact information and attendees can scan it into their smartphone’s contacts database, or email it to a friend/colleague. Attendees can exchange contact information with one another by scanning QR codes embedded on their phones.

Full article from Mike McCurry. Includes video from Midori Connolly.

HOW TO: Create a Blockbuster Mobile App

2011-03-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

In an ever expanding and increasingly competitive mobile app marketplace, it’s becoming harder for developers to create apps that stand out for being more entertaining, engaging and worthy of consumers’ attention and money. There are approximately 350,000 apps in iTunes, 65,000 in the Android marketplace, and thousands more being developed as we speak. Whether an app is the brainchild of two parents who want to entertain their daughter, or a creation from a huge developing house, there’s no telling exactly how an app will fare once it hits the open market.

So, what exactly does it take to create a killer app? A good idea, focus, determination and lots of luck certainly help. But there are other factors that up-and-comers can glean from seasoned developers who have been there, done that, and done it well. More from Mashable.

Working From Home: Facts vs. Fiction

2011-03-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

by Diana Adams

The reality of the situation is very different. Anyone who is able to be successful and disciplined enough to work from home for any significant length of time will probably tell you that they work more hours at home than they ever would at an office. I struggle maintaining balance in my own life because I work from home. It’s so easy to jump on the computer at midnight with the intentions of quickly checking email, but then three hours later, be all involved in a project. There is no real separation between work life and home life. It’s all a blur that we try to distinguish as much as we can. If I want to get away from work, I have to leave my house. There is no other way. More from Bit Rebels.

Business travelers pick their favorite airports

2011-03-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

Convenience and easy access are reasons many travelers repeatedly cite when choosing a favorite airport, according to a survey of 890 frequent fliers on USA TODAY's panel of Road Warriors, frequent travelers who voluntarily provide information on travel. More from USA Today

Your social media programs are global - whether you want them to be or not

2011-03-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Groundswell is now global. Social media has entered the mainstream in every single market Forrester regularly surveys – and in most of those markets, social media use is at 75% or higher. Australian, Japanese and Italian online users all show stronger adoption of social media than Americans do – and Chinese, Dutch and Swedish users have nearly pulled level with the Americans. And in 2010 Facebook reported that more than 70% of its active users were outside the US, while Twitter said more than 60% of its accounts come from outside the US. More from Nate Elliott's Blog

Using the Location-Based SCVNGR Game at Tradeshows

2011-03-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

by Tim Patterson

I keep hearing how SCVNGR is being used to engage tradeshow attendees with pics, check-ins and other game activities. So let’s take a look at how it’s being done in a tradeshow or event setting.

First, what the heck is SCVNGR? Continue reading - from The Tradeshowguy Blog

DOs and DON’Ts for Effective Trade Show Booths

2011-03-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Preparing for a trade show, especially for small companies, can be a daunting task. Deciding what to include and how to set up an actual exhibit/display is one of the fundamental decisions you’ll have to make. First step is to contact the show managers and find out the size of the booth you will have, whether there is a wall space for your company sign, if there are electrical outlets available, and any other small items that you might be responsible for supplying.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when creating your exhibit:

DON'T overstuff it. Product managers might want to display things that represent every brand or product your company offers. Partners might want their logo splashed all over your booth. Keep in mind that sometimes simpler is better. Booths overcrowded with displays, products, stands, etc., turn off prospective attendees and prevent you from quickly communicating why attendees should visit you. More

BREAKING NEWS: CEIR Releases 2010 Exhibition Industry Census

2011-03-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

DALLAS, 07 March 2011 - The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the 2010 CEIR Exhibition Industry Census revealing that during the past decade, the number of events as compared to the 2000 Census has remained relatively unchanged reinforcing the belief that the exhibition industry is resilient even during times of uncertainty and downturn. The knowledge-based research also found that as a result of new construction and building renovations, exhibit space has increased which has resulted in the redistribution of events and broader possibilities for prime destinations to host key buyer/seller exhibitions. http://www.ceir.org/

Top 10 Ways to Rock Your Resume

2011-03-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

Whether you're looking for a new job or just pruning up your paperwork, one of the keys to nabbing the job you want is creating a successful resumé. Here are our top 10 ways to make sure yours stands out. Full article from Lifehacker

ROI Toolkit

2011-03-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

This web-site includes a series of simple tools to assist exhibitors in planning for an exhibition and to measure performance in delivering a return-on-investment (ROI) from exhibiting. Funded by a grant from the PCMA Education Foundation to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, this web-site was developed by Exhibit Surveys, Inc. in conjunction with the ROI Task Force of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

Go to website.

10 Things I Know About... Tradeshow Booths

2011-03-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

By Jim Burke

10. BLANK CANVAS

Your company’s tradeshow booth is a blank canvas for your message. Create an exhibit that captures your company’s character and personality while also meeting physical needs and hitting budgets.

9. SPEC SHEET

The exhibit spec sheet should be drafted before the first meeting with the exhibit design firm. It outlines who the audience will be, whether the audience changes from one show to the next, and what branding objectives are being targeted.

8. DESIGN PICK-UP MEETING

This face-to-face meeting reviews the spec sheet criteria with the design team. With a challenge to create a 3-D identity for your company, the effort needs to be personalized and hands-on, like custom-building a home. More from WBJ Journal

2011-03-02T17:14:00.001-08:00

Meeting News has a great YouTube channel. They post Meeting in a Minute video tips from professionals in the industry. This link is to a minute with Sheryl Sookman Schelter. You can subscribe the channel and you can also opt to be notified by email when a new video is uploaded. The best thing is - they are short.

Traveling with an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air

2011-03-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

By Jim Dalrymple

I’ve been traveling with a backpack full of electronics for more years than I care to remember, but with Apple’s recent offerings, things are getting a whole lot easier.

In years past, I would back a bag with a camera, maybe a video camera, phone, and a 17- or 15-inch MacBook (or PowerBook, if you remember those). To say that made for a heavy bag and a sore back would be an understatement — and that was just going through the airport.

After days of walking around a tradeshow or lugging everything to endless meetings, my back was ready to call it quits.

Last month, I went to Anaheim for the anual NAMM music show, but I packed a little different. Instead of lugging around all of those heavy electronics, I took an iPhone, iPad and a MacBook Air. More from The Loop

Networking no-nos

2011-02-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Large-scale networking events can help you bolster your Rolodex and make connections that can land you a wealth of new contacts, connections and clients.

Coming across as both professional and engaging to those new contacts, however, isn't as simple as it may seem.

It might seem like a lot of pressure, but remembering the things you shouldn't do may help make networking a bit easier. Here are seven of networking's biggest no-no's:

1. Don't arrive late. To make things easier on yourself, time your arrival so you can maximize the interactions you're most interested in having.

"Especially for people who typically shy away from networking, the inclination is to arrive on the later side," Zack said. "The opposite is a much better strategy. Being the first person there, it's calmer, laid back, and people haven't yet settled into groups. You won't feel like there's no one to talk to. More

New Gen B2B Marketing – What a business needs to know to market today. 4 Ways to Use Traditional Marketing Techniques in the Digital World. Read mor

2011-02-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Traditional marketing techniques involving tradeshows, events, direct mail etc. are still very prevalent, and they are heavily used by many companies to market their product and service offerings. While online marketing is gaining a much larger share of the marketers’ budget – it wouldn’t be wise to ignore the traditional marketing techniques that are still very powerful means of getting marketing messages across to targeted decision makers.

Create Exhibits with Curb Appeal

2011-02-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

Trade shows are by nature quite chaotic. Attendees bustling from booth to booth while exhibitors fight to garner their attention and interest in their companies’ products or services. Studies have shown that a tradeshow display typically has about three seconds to catch the attention and communicate to a potential customer passing by a booth. To makes things even harder, your booth is competing with possibly hundreds of other displays for attendees’ attention. More from Tradeshow Insider's Blog.

Make the Most of Trade Shows

2011-02-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

Marketing your business at trade shows can seem like an expensive investment, especially if you look at the costs involved in doing it effectively. However, with some preparation and tips from the experts, you can get a terrific ROI from exhibiting at trade shows and other professional conferences. Full article from Center for Sales Excellence

"Booth babes" fading from tradeshow floors

2011-02-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

As more women move into product sales, marketing and executive positions within the construction industry, less women are manning booths at construction trade shows simply based on looks. Full article

Meetings Mean Business

2011-02-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy study reveals that the U.S. meetings industry directly supports 1.7 million jobs, $263 billion in spending, a $106 billion contribution to GDP, $60 billion in labor revenue, $14.3 billion in federal tax revenue and $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. More on the study conducted by the Convention Industry Council.

5 Ways Zipcast Will Turbo-Charge Your Career

2011-02-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

SlideShare is dropping a nifty little creation into the world of webconferencing software today. The company's new product, Zipcast, is a new tool for holding online meetings, and its ease of use and price (free, for many uses) may soon steal users from GoToMeeting and WebEx, the reigning kings of the space.

But that’s not all. Zipcast was born organically into the social online world in which we all live now. Which means it will likely have as profound an effect on how, why, and with whom we communicate as Twitter has.

Zipcast works like your basic webconferencing tool, with one major difference: It’s browser-based. That means no more tricky client software to install. You just create a meeting space online, send out the link, and, presumably, you’re ready to go. More from Fast Company

CEIR Says Exhibitions Show Positive Growth

2011-02-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

Signs of economic improvement in the meetings and conventions industry continue to emerge, with the latest being year-end data on the health of the exhibitions industry. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research, which measures year-over-year changes in four key exhibition industry metrics—net square feet, revenue, professional attendance, and number of exhibiting companies—has found an overall increase of 4.1 percent in 2010’s numbers over 2009. Preliminary data for the 2011 CEIR Index report, which will be available in full in April, shows fourth quarter 2010 increases in all metrics over 2009, with the size of the show floor showing the most significant growth:

Net square feet: up 5.6 percent,
Professional attendance: up 5.4 percent
Projected revenue: up 4.2 percent
Exhibitors: up 2.1 percent
More from Association Meetings