Trade Show Insights

Ever feel like your to-do list is managing you, instead of the other way around? In the world of trade shows and events, it definitely can seem like there’s no end to the tasks that are demanding our attention. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, Sandra Martini shares tips for maximizing productivity, including how to: Reframe the idea of a to-do list Gamify the elements of a project Reverse-engineer the process to complete major projects Build in time...

Let’s be honest: Networking isn’t always productive, no matter whether it’s in-person or online. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, Amanda Kaiser shares lessons from a three-month experiment to discover ideas that make networking more fun and engaging. Go behind the scenes to learn: How the Virtual Networking Incubator was born What kinds of technology and exercises work for groups of various sizes Why it helps to have structured networking activities How to encourage participation even...

Launching a brand-new trade show in the middle of a pandemic is not a task for average show organizers. But then The Big Gear Show never set out to be average. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, go behind the scenes to discover how the team: Created an “experiential wonderland” in a non-traditional venue Designed a more affordable trade show option for both exhibitors and attendees Made a lasting impression in their industry Gained valuable lessons for next year and beyond Here are the...

Social media has been around a long time, but are we tapping into its full potential when it comes to our events? Monica Vila provides valuable insights, not only from her expertise in social media marketing, but also many years spent working in trade shows and events. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, you’ll discover how to enhance your social media marketing by: Tapping influencer marketing within your audience Learning from what consumer brands are doing Building community in the...

Okay, I admit it – I’m a big Star Trek fan. No, not to the point where I dress up as a Klingon and stroll the aisles of Comic-Con – although I did thoroughly enjoy roaming around with them back when the Star Trek Experience was a Vegas attraction. But I digress … One of the things I love most about Star Trek is the way it shows us the potential of how much life can change for the better in the next 200 or so years. I mean, traveling at warp speed, scanning devices that heal wounds … So

As the trade show industry begins to breathe life again, there’s a new place to turn for resources and support to get back in the groove again. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, Laura Palker tells us about the National Trade Show Alliance: Why the NTSA was formed Who the NTSA is for What resources are available How you can get involved Here are links mentioned during the interview: National Trade Show Alliance Together Again Job Fair & Expo Here’s where you can watch the entire Virtual...

Are you taking advantage of all that LinkedIn offers to show off your expertise? Probably not, but after you hear all the tips Viveka von Rosen shares in this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch, you’ll know what steps to take to get there. Discover how to: Improve your SSI score (and what that is) Take advantage of a variety of new tools LinkedIn offers (if you have access to them yet) Craft your profile to stand out and draw people to you Connect with people in a strategic, non-salesy way Here...

We all know someone (or 20!) who made a career transition during the past year. They may have changed companies, or left our industry entirely. And for those you used to work with every day, that connection has been altered as well. How do we transition back to those relationships, or do we? In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café, communications expert Bill Rawlins provides tips on how to: Recognize the Three Expectations of Friendship Deal with the loss of work...

We’ve heard a lot about shows reopening here in the U.S., but what’s happening in Europe? In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café, Marco Barozzi joins us from Bologna, Italy to provide insights on: Signs of recovery with upcoming trade shows The importance of Digital Green Certificates How venues all over Europe have stepped up What government aid has been available Here are links mentioned during the interview: Bologna Children’s Book Fair (coming in-person in...

Your brand is so much more than a logo and tagline. It’s a story that’s just waiting to be brought to life through your exhibits and events. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café, Ian McGonnigal shares these insights on creating your brand experience: What brand experience is and how to measure it How event organizers and exhibitors can build more a memorable brand Why you need to incorporate storytelling elements into exhibits and events How to find the right...

The trade show industry is beginning to show signs of life again! But it won’t be as easy as flipping a switch to bring things back all at once. Jim Wurm from the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association joins us in this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café to share insights on: How the new Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance is advocating for the industry How vendors and venues may ramp up the workforce as needed What might (or might not) be required to attend trade...

Last year, when everyone was scrambling to do meetings online, you might have been able to get away with a bad video now and then. Those days are over. Now, if you want to appear as the professional you truly are, it’s time to step up your game. So in this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café, Ramon Ray shares tips on: Maintaining effective eye contact Creating a ‘stage’ that’s appropriate for you Getting the basic tech tools you need to look and sound good Here are...

Trade shows and events won’t go back to the way they were pre-2020 – which means we all must adapt and evolve for the next generation. In this rebroadcast of Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café, Allen Yesilevich shares tips for dealing with disruption in the trade show industry and improving your digital playbook, including how to: Thrive during disruption Deliver value and make money with virtual events Create a community for future events Build alliances in the industry Here are...

We kicked off this year’s Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café with a special, inspirational guest: Melva LaJoy Jones from LaJoy Plans. Listen in as she shares how to use the lessons from our past to build our future. Here are links to some of the items mentioned in the interview: Doubt Always Loses (from Melva’s blog) Event Planning Lessons from My Father (from Melva’s blog) Melva’s website, LaJoy Plans Here’s where you can watch the entire Virtual Lunch broadcast About Melva LaJoy...

One of the challenges event planners faced in 2020 was how to create connections among attendees in a virtual platform. But it’s not necessarily a new – or online only – problem. Nancy Drapeau from the Center from Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) shares trends and data from their report on trade show matchmaking in this rebroadcast of our Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Cafe. Here are links to items mentioned in this interview: CEIR report: Matchmaking Before & During COVID-19: How...

Are you ignoring – or worse yet, alienating – a large percentage of the population in your trade shows, whether online or in person? Chances are you have been, even if you didn’t mean to. So I invited accessibility advocate Samantha Evans to join us for Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Cafe to share what your events need to include to be more accessible to all. You’ll learn: What to look for and ask about when checking out virtual event platforms Things to consider when adding captions...

On this week’s Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Cafe, Alan Arnold joins Marlys for a conversation about how to tap your creativity when faced with a challenge. You’ll learn how to: Stimulate your creative juices Recharge like powerful people do Keep an idea journal Have insightful conversations Here are links to items in the interview: Apple’s “Here’s to the crazy ones …” ad Here’s where you can watch the entire Virtual Lunch broadcast

It seems everyone’s talking about how procedures will change as trade shows reopen – from registration to scheduling to floor plans. But there’s one aspect of future shows that’s getting very little attention these days. So on this week’s Virtual Lunch, I invited Mel White from Classic Exhibits to provide insights on how exhibitors will need to adapt their exhibits as shows reopen. You’ll discover ideas for: Accommodating traffic flow restrictions Implementing tech tools Adapting your booth...

Just because events are going virtual doesn’t mean there aren’t still great ways for sponsors to get their message out. On this week’s Virtual Lunch replay, guest Nicole Burkart from Conference Care Package shares ideas for sponsors to: Host virtual happy hours Encourage sponsor and audience interaction Gamify participation Reinforce the importance of giving back Here are links to some of the items mentioned in the interview: Request the 30 Sponsorship Ideas report Conference Care Package...

For months, I’ve wished there was something I could do for all my trade show friends who were suddenly thrust into searching for a new career. Then I met career expert Leslie Evans Thorne in an online group, and knew I had to have her as a guest on our weekly Virtual Lunch! So listen in as she shares insights on how to: Recognize the difference between your skills and talents Convey the benefits your unique talents bring to any job “Rona-proof” your career Here are links to some of the items...