Tradeshows have just experienced the highest quarterly increase in eight years says the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). The Q1 2015 CEIR Index report marks the 19th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth in the exhibitions arena. Revenue jumped 7.3 percent, net square feet grew 4.1 percent, exhibitor numbers increased 3.3 percent, and attendance grew 3.7 percent. How does your exhibition stack up? If you’re like any of the B2B conferences that we’ve analyzed, you are … [Read more...]
20+ Tradeshow Trends For 2014 And Beyond
The events, exhibitions and meetings industry continues to evolve as it faces global changes and disruptive innovation. Here are 20+ tradeshow trends for exhibitors and show managers. 20+ Tradeshow Trends For 2014 & Beyond from Jeff Hurt View this the 20+ Tradeshow Trends for 2014 & Beyond in your own broswer . What trends would you add to this list? What trends are missing? … [Read more...]
Leeches, Poachers And Outboarders: Controversial Tradeshow Challenges
Recently, Rick Calvert, CEO & Co-Founder of Blogworld & New Media Expo, wrote How Suitcasing and Outboarding Harm Events. The post attempts to tackle two very controversial challenges for our industry: suitcasing and outboarding. Go ahead and take a few minutes to read Rick’s entire blog post and leave a comment with your opinions or support. I’ll wait here while you read and comment. It’ll be worth it. Defining Suitcasing and Outboarding To make sure we are all on … [Read more...]
Nine Convention Center Trends For 2013
Recently I participated in the Convention Sales Professional International's Annual Conference "Tool Box For Success 2013." I moderated a panel called "Current And Future Trends" with three meeting professionals and two CSPI members. Don't worry! If you know me, you know it was not a traditional panel. I purposely included audience peer discussion on the key issues identified by the panelists. Nine Trends Meeting Planners Should Watch Here are nine trends that the panelists identified. 1. … [Read more...]
Priority Points, On-Site Booth Sales And The NFL Draft
A couple of weeks ago, Kevin Johnstone, director of Tradeshows at the National Association of Music Manufacturers, started a LinkedIn discussion about priority point programs and on-site booth sales. Tom Corcoran, Owner of Corcoran Expositions, Inc. , added my favorite reply to the thread. “Two benefits to holding your space pick for next year on,-site, is the competition factor between exhibitors which often results in increased sales. The other is the team aspect as many companies show up … [Read more...]
Where’s Waldo The Supplier?
Imagine the typical conference scene depicting hundreds of people at a convention center doing a variety of interesting meeting and tradeshow things. Now consider this image is a hand drawn double page spread in large children's book. Your task as the reader is to find Waldo, the supplier and exhibitor, at the event hidden in the group. Unlike the famous Waldo with his distinctive red-and-white striped shirt, bobble hat and glasses, Waldo the supplier does not have any distinguishing … [Read more...]