The event marketing industry is undergoing it’s own brand evolution. We are now increasingly one industry with face-to-face and digital experiences converging into on event marketing experience.   Branding is the sum of all points of contact your audience has with your event. It’s the wait, or lack of a wait in the registration line. [...]

The Market has changed. Everything has changed.   For starters, we are seeing a fundamental shift in human behavior. This is primarily being driven by the Internet, and more specifically, Web 2.0 technologies. These technology innovations, coupled with a generational shift are redefining how we engage—especially in groups. The ability to organize a group is simple [...]

In a few short days, I will be joining many of the most passionate and committed professionals in the face-to-face industry.  Convening Leaders, PCMA’s annual convention, begins this weekend in San Diego and I look forward to the experience every year.   But, what I am realizing is that the best way for me to engage [...]

As the economy has changed every aspect of our world and our decision making process, the face-to-face industry has not been immune to a new way to operate.   Shows have had to adapt and really push the envelope to make sure that they remain relevant, ahead of the curve and always a must-go-to event [...]

Since the inception of the face-to-face marketing industry, show organizers and event planners have been challenged to increase attendance at events. Targeting appropriate prospects, connecting with them and converting these prospects into attendees have been fundamental obstacles in the industry.   Give a little, Get a little? As the U.S struggles to bounce back from [...]

This week, Freeman launched our new and innovative product, Floorprint. But, the journey is as great as the destination.  Here, Freeman’s VP of Corporate Graphics, Brian West tells the backstory.   In the Beginning… Floorprint evolved from a simple conversation between the EVP of Operations, Jay Atherton and myself. He asked if we could print [...]

Our leaders around the country are in the midst of a big project. We’re taking a formal look at key roles and determining how we might fill them if the need arises. We’ve done this informally for years. We identify who wants to do more, then jointly build a path to get there.   Our [...]

The Big Kahuna is my favorite movie about selling.  Starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli, the story takes place the last night of a trade show, when two industrial lubricants sales-veterans and their young protégé host a reception in a hotel hospitality suite.  Released in 1999, the movie made little splash at the [...]

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    “There is the physical world and the digital world. Our customers live in both worlds. And in many ways it’s all one world.”     Virtual is The New Game The trade show industry is now what the sports industry used to be. In the ‘olden’ days – to see the game, the [...]

Is your event is a bit ho-hum?  Are there fewer attendees than in the past?  Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I wish my event were more fun?”  Perhaps what your event could use is additional PASSION. This past July I attended Comic-Con International in San Diego (SDCC) to see what a show with lots [...]