Experts & Opinions

Mar 07, 2019
Events are one of the best ways for businesses to showcase products, promote services and increase brand awareness, and one of the key advantages of event marketing is the ability to provide attendees with something memorable to link back to you. However, organizing events can be extremely complicated and time-consuming. For example, a typical business or event company might need to research potential venues, enlist the help of expert speakers, organize catering, transport equipment, process payments and build an event team. This can be a lot to take on, especially if you are simultaneously… more
Mar 05, 2019
Trade show organizers have a new problem. Rogue list brokers are targeting their exhibitors, claiming to have access to the official attendee list. We began seeing this more widely in 2017 and by the end of 2018, exhibitors at every show we work were receiving daily emails from these solicitors. Show organizers are seemingly helpless to stop this and as a result, many of our clients have approached us asking if there is anything we can do to help them stop this.     In response to these requests, Event Technologies undertook an effort to look into these list brokers to see if we could gain… more
Feb 28, 2019
If you’ve been a trade show organizer even for a short period of time, you know that event sponsorships can be crucial to the financial health and wellbeing of your event. Unlike other forms of advertising, sponsorship opportunities allow exhibiting companies to reach a highly qualified and captivated audience. But is the traditional model of “give us your money and we’ll put your company’s name on X, Y or Z item at the trade show” really keeping up with today’s rapidly changing brand marketing landscape?  Recently, our team worked with the National Automatic Merchandising Association to… more
Feb 26, 2019
When considering whether or not to shell out for a sponsorship at such-and-such trade show, companies are calculating what their ROI will be. Attracting sponsors for your trade shows can be a challenging task but the more value you can deliver to sponsors, the easier it becomes to sell sponsorship slots.  If you’re hosting a trade show, chances are you’re already planning to use audio-visual at the show. With the right AV partner, you can leverage the event’s AV to drive sponsorship. When potential sponsors see how your show can boost their profile at the event, sponsorship slots will… more
Feb 20, 2019
MWC Barcelona, or the GSMA Mobile World Congress, is the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry. The event brings together prominent executives, device manufacturers, vendors, and content owners from all over the world. In 2018, LMT's first time exhibiting at Mobile World Congress, we created a unique trade show booth called “Garage” in collaboration with contemporary artists. The booth was made of natural wood and metal and was created as an interactive safe space where adults can become children again, build future ideas and dream big. Even though we came prepared, there were… more
Feb 18, 2019
It seems like a no-brainer that reducing waste from any source, including events, is the sustainable thing to do. But do you know why reducing waste is sustainable? In a country like the U.S. with robust waste management infrastructure, the issue isn’t rampant litter pollution or unsightly garbage piles. Most trash ends up in a landfill or incinerator, and these facilities are generally safely and professionally managed. So why bother to reduce and divert event waste away from landfills and incinerators? First, materials that end up in landfills and incinerators are missed opportunities… more
Feb 14, 2019
“Friction” has become a recent buzzword used to describe a break down in the sales process. Anything that causes your customer to hesitate is friction. Removing friction ensures customers and visitors can easily buy from you.  Visitors attending trade shows are looking to make deals, buy things in large quantities and sign contracts. Friction on your exhibition booth will inhibit deals at the expo and limit your contact with visitors. Use the guide below to remove the friction from your exhibit and increase your sales. Attracting and Qualifying Leads Incorporating interactive elements on… more
Feb 12, 2019
International trade shows offer a unique opportunity for brands to expand their market share and reach out to an audience they might otherwise have difficulty connecting with. However, actually achieving success at an international exhibition requires careful planning, especially given the costs involved.  From choosing between custom or modular exhibition stands, through to selecting the exhibition services you are going to offer attendees, there are a number of crucial decisions that must be taken. Here are seven simple steps that can help you achieve your objectives and improve your… more
Feb 07, 2019
As the proud marketing director of TSNN and the celebrated TSNN Awards, I know real connections are the lifeline of our industry. But how acquainted are we, really?  Healthy relationships — business or otherwise — are essential to success. They require genuine, respectful connections and a few foundational characteristics. We all know this, yet when was the last time you got down to the nitty-gritty of truly investing in the people around you? I don’t mean simply online or being distracted by your device while “talking” to someone face to face; I mean slowing down enough to engage in the… more
Feb 05, 2019
Another month, another trade show. Your company attends so many, they should have the process down to a science. And yet, it often feels like people are reinventing the wheel with each show.  Unfortunately, you’re not alone – this is a very common story! But here’s the good news: This is exactly the type of situation where Trigger Systems can be super useful! Trigger Systems, Explained First things first: What’s a Trigger System? Don’t worry, you haven’t been living under a rock – Trigger Systems are something that we kinda made up. In its most basic form, a Trigger System is a… 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