Experts & Opinions

May 16, 2019
During our recently held “Social Media for Trade Show Promotions” webinar, we asked attendees a polling question about whether (or not) they were using social media to promote their company’s presence at the events in which they exhibit. The results were a little surprising to me. Of the 223 attendees that answered the poll, only 35 (16%) said that they were active and getting good results for their efforts, and 89 attendees (or 40% of those that voted) said that they had “little to show for it.” Then I thought: what constitutes “good” results? And how are they measuring their results? Is it… more
May 14, 2019
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, more than $24 billion is spent annually by U.S. exhibitors on trade show displays, yet 70 percent оf these еxhіbіtоrѕ set no ѕресіfіс оbjесtіvеѕ or goals fоr their exhibits. In 2019, event marketing teams should find ways to become goal-driven, and metrics are the place to start.  There are two types of metrics to utilize: hard metrics and soft metrics. The parameters attached to hard metrics serve as strong indicators and imply action items. Soft metrics are all about engagement and awareness. For example, the number of likes,… more
May 08, 2019
Many of our exhibiting clients tell us they crave trade show ideas on how to attract more visitors to their booth. They want an attraction that makes their booth irresistible for attendees walking down the aisle. Do you want to drive booth traffic, too? Here are six proven ideas you can consider:   Product Demo: Rather than make all their purchases over the Internet, buyers continue to go to trade shows because it allows them to see and touch real products in person. Leverage this strong advantage by demonstrating your products in your booth. Show how your product solves real problems.… more
May 07, 2019
For conference organizers and exhibitors alike, an event is a great opportunity to drive more engagement through social media channels and capture more followers. In fact, industry surveys demonstrate that event planners are actively using social media to engage their attendees.  A recent survey conducted by EventMB found that 89.3% of event planners use social media for pre-event engagement, 49.4% for engaging attendees during the event, and 37.7% for capturing feedback. Planners reported being active on Facebook (88.1%), LinkedIn (80.1%), Twitter (60.4%) and Instagram (58.4%), with some… more
May 03, 2019
How much does your audience’s happiness mean to you? It turns out that attendee satisfaction is an important factor that is too often overlooked by measuring only exhibitor feedback or not asking the right questions on attendee satisfaction surveys.  Events are at least a grueling 2-3 days with constant mental stimulation, lively conversations that cause voices to crack and literally miles of walking. And while attendees are tasked with the sales, promotional or operational goals they have for attending the event, they still need to check in to the day-to-day work and put out the fires that… more
Apr 30, 2019
Small is the new big. When it comes to trade shows and conferences, purposefully smaller B2B events, delightful consumer-esque experiences and more curated thought leadership are all trending in a very big way. For example, Glossy, a content-first B2B conference company for fashion, beauty, e-commerce has had great success producing (and monetizing) intimate dinners for 15-20 execs at a time in order to foster in-person connections. This might seem high-touch, but it provides a very high return for their A-tier attendees, sponsors and industry execs. Large scale trade show organizers are… more
Apr 24, 2019
The Secrets to Becoming a TSNN Top Trade Show If you pulled back the curtain from the Trade Show News Network team over the last few months, you might reveal something like this: busy event bees crunching numbers of square footage, attendance, venue locations and all the secret ingredients that go into compiling our annual TSNN Top Trade Shows list. But what is the recipe for culminating a place on TSNN’s prestigious list? After attending, reporting on or studying these amazing events, we’ve identified one key one ingredient: Each one on the list knows how to create buzz! If you would… more
Apr 23, 2019
Exhibitions are one of the best ways for marketers to gain face-to-face time with both potential customers and business partners, while also offering them a memorable experience. For this reason, many businesses spend a fortune on modular exhibition booths and promotional material in order to maximize the opportunity.  However, one of the best ways to enhance an exhibition, without breaking the bank, is to make intelligent use of push notifications. In this article, we examine their benefits and the various ways they can be used to improve the attendee experience at your next exhibition or… more
Apr 17, 2019
Why should all event profs stay on top of industry trends? Here’s a solid reason: Business to business trade shows generate a significant amount of revenue for business, consumers and e-commerce globally, and it’s expected to grow past nearly $16.8 billion by 2021, according to PwC. It’s our job at TSNN to report these tips and trends to our audience, especially when it involves how event professionals interact and engage with the world around them. Recently, we were inspired by a webinar discussing how to maximize ROI on venue experience with intelligent digital technology, produced by… more
Apr 16, 2019
Event planners wear a ton of hats. From juggling venues and caterers to managing staff members, selling sponsorships and negotiating with vendors, you have no shortage of responsibilities. If you don’t have an organizational strategy in place, that to-do list can become overpowering. While the highs of successful events are hard to match, the weeks leading up to those events are incredibly stressful. Most event professionals struggle through plenty of sleepless nights as they fret over important details, and they often have too many things on their plates to handle anything time-consuming. … more
Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact