Reverse Tradeshows: The Value of One-on-One

Most meeting planners and meeting facilities have attended a trade show in the extent of their career. The “typical” trade show organized by industry, allows companies to exhibit their latest product or service. In the case of meeting and conference planners, they’ll visit 50 – 100+ supplier booths. The “typical” trade show is seeing a change in interest as the industry moves to virtual exhibits and one-on-one interactions. More from The National Conference Center Blog.

23 Ways to Integrate Facebook and Twitter with Traditional Advertising

Integrated Media Marketing is when you effectively integrate social media with traditional marketing. Here are 23 ideas for integrating Facebook and Twitter in PR, direct selling, customer services, advertising and sales promotions.

1. Add Facebook Widget /plugins to website or blog
2. Show Twitter stream on website
3. Use buttons in footer, contact page and sidebar of website
4. Add Share/Like/Tweet buttons on products and content on website
5. Include links on your business cards
6. Include info in email signature file
7. Add Facebook /Twitter to voice mail messages (office and cellphone)
8. More from Beyond Social Media Marketing
   

What a Trade Show is Really About.

What do you want out of a trade show and what are you willing to put into the process? Trade shows are tried and true face to face marketing platforms. There was talk about trade shows “dying” because of social media and younger generations entering the workforce. Nothing can replace good old fashioned face-to-face marketing. Social media can enhance, but not replace it.

So what is a trade show REALLY about? The question remains, what do you want from it? Do you want to promote a new product or service, increase brand awareness, treat current clients to some customer appreciation, meet new clients, gain information on what your prospective clients want, or spy on the competition? Maybe you want a little of everything! A trade show can be all of the above and more. Continue reading from TSN

How One Association is Connecting Attendees with Exhibitors with Twitter

The International Studies Association has put together a Twitter List of their exhibitors. This list will allow attendees to follow exhibitors as they showcase their events, promotions and products on their Twitter feeds. You do not need to be a member of Twitter to view the list. Link to Article.

A New Mobile App for the Event World

by Joyce McKee at Let's Talk Tradeshows:

Here is a mobile app that can do many things that will aid attendees and show management alike. Some of the features are: Floor Map, Exhibitor Directory, Event Calendar, Speaker Bios, Local Visitors Guide and News/Announcements. Link to Article. Link to App.

How can I save money on my Rental Car rates?

Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and best way to compare many Rental Car rates.

If you are planning on purchasing extra items such as a damage waiver or insurance, you should also comparison shop those rates.

Make sure their mileage policy is favorable to you so you can avoid extra charges.

Airport fees can be quite large so you might see if it is worth it to use an off-airport facility. However, if the off-airport company picks you up at the airport, you'll probably still have to pay some of the fee.

You can check their national reservation centers and their local offices; one may be offering a better deal than the other. ASK, if this is the best rate they have available. More. (Check the rest of the site for other travel tips).

Unqualified booth visitors and time wasters

This article from the Hill Group, gives tips on dealing with the following types of booth visitors:

• Unqualified visitors and time wasters
• Unqualified visitors
• Booth beggars
• Competitive Intelligence Gatherers
• Know-it-alls
• Exceedingly social