Event Tech Blog

February 26, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

The Tradeshow industry has suffered through years of wasted technology and business processes based on poor data standards and supplier data standard requirements.  The tasks of database management, data validation, data integration are all difficult, maybe even impossible, without best practices to define how data can be managed and exchanged.  Suppliers are not incentivized to adhere to a common standard, so show management is often left scrambling for some type of hodge-podge approach to find a way to blend event architecture out of disparate supplier systems.

Millions of dollars are wasted on the inefficient redeveloping, rewriting and redesigning of data importing and exporting challenges.  Not to even consider the huge cost of moving away from one supplier to a new system.  Other industries have recognized huge ...Read More

February 4, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

 

I have the privilege of speaking to the collection of global show leaders at the UFI Global CEO Forum in Geneva, Switzerland at the Geneva PalExpo.  As you might guess, this has been a very enjoyable trip even though I have not had the chance to really get out of the hotel room yet.

This event caters to global event leaders and focuses on  industry issues that are impacting exhibitions in the coming years.  The opening day sessions addressed the need for excellent leadersh...Read More

Industries: Associations, Events, Exhibiting, Exhibitors, People, People, People, People, Show Management, Suppliers, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

December 30, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (5)

...old friends for bold partners...and bold ideas for new horizons.

In a recent LinkedIn discussion with one of our industry thought leaders, Bob Roan, he asked for thoughts on what will social media solutions in 2010 offer for the future of events.  I have captured the highlights of this discussion which I suspect may stimulate further suggestions and ideas.

What kind of change [will interesting trends] cause in the next year?
Not sure I have a specific response to that question, as I think the changes are relevant to customer needs, economic conditions, and a variety of other variables that would influence expectations and outcomes.

...Read More

Industries: Associations, Events, People, Show Management, Suppliers, Technology

December 29, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

What is the Twitter action called Retweet?
When someone has posted a Twitter message, often called a Tweet, it can be resent to your own community by an action called a retweet.  It is an easy way to forward messages and information that you have found useful or entertaining. The letters RT next to the Twitter name is the typical format of a message that is being retweeted.   Unfortunately, many Twitters users go crazy with this idea and it can quickly become a nuisance without a few guidelines.

While retweeting a message is often interpreted as a supportive action and can generate additional visibility, don't become someone that can't provide your own opinions and content.  Retweeting is a great way to share information and express support to your colleagues, but don't go overboard.  Here are ...Read More
Industries: Associations, Events, Meetings, Suppliers, Tradeshows

December 28, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

There are two camps on video.  One belief is the low cost, do it on your own with a flip camera and capture cool stuff as it happens on the show floor.  The second attitude is that it pays to hire a professional.  The results from either approach can result in great content.  As for our events, we have elected to go with the professionals.

Nothing against the do it yourself approach.  But I have a lot of other things happening on show day and the last task that I am going to do well, is to remember to pull out a flip camera and capture video.  With professionals walking our floors, we have watched the quality of our vid...Read More
Industries: AV & Technology, Events, People, Production Technology, Technology