Search Results for: trade show
March 16, 2020
Reading Time: 3 minutes …organizers is that they form true communities and have each other’s backs. Trade shows and conferences will ultimately rebound and people will miss many aspects of meeting live. People attending them will be more hygiene-oriented. We’ll likely have tech-enabled health screeners at airports, hotels, and conference centers. Perhaps conference-goers will take a standard immune-system-boosting drug prior to travel (much like people visiting remote glo…
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May 23, 2019
Reading Time: 3 minutes …moved to Toronto this year and is clearly suffering from growing pains. A trade show veteran, I’ve worked for and with the two largest event organizers in the world. I understand the financial dynamics of the trade show and why “bigger is better” in that industry. Exhibitors and speakers want to see the aisles and presentation rooms packed. In the case of Collision, however, I watched the show expand and transform over the past few years. It used…
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February 9, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …om is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel and, in exchange, put on a mask. There can’t be any large-scale revolution until there’s a personal revolution, on an individual level. It’s got to happen inside first.” So, to celebrate Mardi Gras, let’s all trade in those masks for some soul. And start that revolution. The big reveal… The 5 masks we wear (ac…
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October 1, 2017
Reading Time: 3 minutes …e with humans! We’ll never find out what you do if you don’t talk to us at trade shows! And make sure the people who are working your booth are prepared to talk to the media. It’s a simple way to get your product/service “out there” to the folks who aren’t at the show. Speaking of which…I’ll be continuing and expanding my (Trade) Show Girl Talk column, speaker series, and vlog throughout 2018. If you are exhibiting at or producing a show and would…
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November 14, 2014
Reading Time: 2 minutes …ore wandering into the vacation forest. Scroll down for pix of some of the trade show floor highlights. I even got to tour a cabin, which was bigger and nicer than some NYC apartments. This girl cub may actually become an official Jellystoner. The first Jellystone Park opened in 1969. Yogi springs eternal! Watch Yogi and his girlfriend Cindy in action! These bears are endangered. Save the bears!! The man behind the bear. Yogi and Cindy…still in lo…
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October 3, 2022
Reading Time: 4 minutes …ly) spit out in the nearest waste basket or compost bin. And, as with most trade shows, the behavior of the booth team is as important (and perhaps more meaningful) than the product itself. When founders and staff are enthusiastic and knowledgable about what they’re selling, the food simply tastes better or you’re inclined to want to use the product. Although I don’t have supernatural powers, I do spot trends. Here are the top trends we gleaned fr…
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March 11, 2015
Reading Time: 3 minutes …other cities. As I mentioned in my last blog, badge-reading is critical to trade show success. In the social media-fueled food world, bloggers can be anyone and anywhere, so smart brands are generous to everyone. Plus, I fulfilled one of my life-long dreams — to actually walk inside a food truck from Vending Trucks, Inc.. Perhaps theONswitch will have a marketing truck one day. We can serve-up hot innovations and chocolate chip cookies. We realize…
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June 23, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes …bout industry trends and plans for the future You wander the aisles at the trade show, collecting pens and breath mints Your feet hurt You eat and drink some more You collect lots and lots of business cards and get your badge scanned You return your badge holder (or throw it away if you don’t care about recycling) and go home. Many people get too busy when they return to follow-up with the people they met. Others use the scanned badge information…
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April 24, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …tioned in Part 1. Kudos to you guys at Momencio (the company with the cool trade show lead capture, tracking, and follow-up technology)! I realize that trade show follow-up is a bitch. You come back from a show with a giant stack of business cards (or some other non-paper form of leads) and have to figure out what to do with all of them. New business comes from relationships — live ones and technology-enabled ones. I am hopeful that some of the pe…
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September 12, 2017
Reading Time: 4 minutes …echniques, and business operations innovations. That’s how I wound up on a trade show floor at the 2017 Gentleman’s Club EXPO, watching a woman spinning around a pole, wearing high heels. Everyone has her talents. More about the show floor later… As a result of a random connection I made at the Nightclub & Bar Show, I was invited to present to an audience of Deja Vu and Hustler Club owners and managers from the stage of the Erotic Heritage Museum….
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August 14, 2022
Reading Time: 3 minutes …our panel — “Peace, Love, and Revenue.”) How to Unplug and Benefit from a Trade Show or Conference Those of you who know me also know that I have a thing for live events. I used to be a booth babe back in the day (when I worked in publishing in my early 20s). I was sent to my first show with no instructions. It was a brain surgery convention (seriously) and I was sent with boxes of books, a virtually unlimited expense account, and a senior editor…
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September 21, 2014
Reading Time: < 1 minute …omprises a $29 million market. That trend was evident at Expo East, a huge trade show for the natural product industry. A large portion of the exhibit hall was devoted to organic cosmetics, hair and body care, and alternative treatments for ailments (and potions to prevent them). I stopped at a booth with a great fresh logo. The company is Good Clean Love. Perhaps they would have attracted more show traffic if they were called Bad Dirty Love, but…
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January 1, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …d your life) in 2016. Go to at least one live event a month (a conference, trade show, or business/social gathering) and don’t take out your phone while you’re there. Call your top customers/clients (as in on the telephone) just to ask how things are going and find out what you can do to meet their needs. They make think it’s weird at first, but nothing beats good old fashioned conversation. (You should try it with your friends and family too.) Te…
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August 24, 2015
Reading Time: 3 minutes …log readers. Please just hit me up if you want one!) I went to a couple of trade shows. I love trade shows. Yes…that’s weird. But true. Working with a business coach and a financial advisor, I started planning out the next five decades (or at least the next 12-18 months). I have also been steadily de-toxing my life, shedding bad habits, narcissists, and takers. I’ve stopped “adopting strays” and value my time more carefully. I didn’t see as many m…
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March 30, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes …myself heading up marketing for what was, at the time, the world’s largest trade show and conference organizer. We brought together small and large groups of industry professionals to learn, buy, make purchase decisions, connect, and celebrate. It’s a fascinating industry. Each event and sub-group has its own personality, activities, and culture. To this day, I love show-hopping (see below). Why do we love gatherings? In short, people who have spe…
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March 17, 2024
Reading Time: 6 minutes …lthier planet for generations to come. I also learned that my days at HUGE trade shows may be coming to an end. I’m looking forward to some of the smaller curated events I’ll visit this spring and summer and one I’ll be chairing and organizing myself this fall! Please watch this space next week for my musings on the value of “gatherings” and how they can slow aging. (Ironically, my first blog in 2007 was about the power of trade shows and events….
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October 23, 2014
Reading Time: 2 minutes …idow Jane Distillery. (Seems to be a good follow-up to my blog on the weed trade in Colorado.) Can you only imagine what bootleggers could have done if the Internet existed back then? Bitters are back too! The “bar in a box” kit from Hella Bitter is an especially useful gift for the holiday season. On the wagon? Plenty of other cleverly-named treats abounded. Vertical Water is the new alternative to coconut beverages. It’s made with pure sap and a…
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September 23, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutes …tes Who are “bicycle people?” Speaking at so many conferences and visiting trade shows across a variety of industries, I have gotten to experience the inner workings and personalities of different types of businesses. This was my second year at Interbike and here’s my recap: As in many industries, the Amazon threat and the ease of online shopping looms large. In fact, the group I spoke to in my 30-Minute Problem Solving Workshop tackled “How do I…
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January 22, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …her insistence) and feeling young and awkward. I also remember going to a trade show in LA with an older (probably 30-something) and married editor from my company, who took me to a magic show and out dancing. It felt more like a date than a business trip, but I wasn’t sure what a business trip was supposed to be. The good news is that after the last dance we went back to our respective rooms and spent the next day very professionally at a trade…
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May 7, 2018
Reading Time: 5 minutes …e to produce “experiences” rather than your grandma’s boring and formulaic trade show or a parody of SXSW. The age range was teens to 70’s and 25k+ people came from all over the world. In short, it’s the 1964 World’s Fair of innovation — updated, amped-up, and without the Unisphere. But we do have the iconic orange sign (see pix). The sessions are 20 minutes long (perfect for short attention spans). The exhibitors change every day (giving more fou…
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May 13, 2020
Reading Time: 3 minutes …the health of our economy. Over the past 90 days, I: Attended my last live trade show/conference for a while and since then have sat in on many webinars and ZOOM calls. Invested in brand-building for myself and my company and secured two new clients as a result. Made significant progress on my web video skills, working with a style consultant and an online video sherpa. Was a guest on multiple video interviews and podcasts and am getting ready to…
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June 8, 2016
Reading Time: 4 minutes …rvices marketer (sort of like a banker, but I worked with cooler people) A trade showgirl (actually, the CMO of the world’s biggest largest trade show company. But that first title sounds sexier and more interesting) An entrepreneur, published writer, and speaker I lived in three apartments and two houses. They kept getting bigger and filled with more “stuff”. That’s just what happens. (I finally disposed of about 90% of my belongings over the cou…
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September 24, 2021
Reading Time: 4 minutes …as for direct marketing. 20+ years ago I questioned whether large business trade shows were sustainable. 16 years ago I realized that social media would be a powerful marketing force. 10 years ago I saw the demise of the traditional office and the rise of remote and gig work. 5 years ago I realized that high-quality content would play a big role in marketing. My work team adopted Monday.com, Canva, and Google Docs before they became popular. I’m n…
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April 27, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …e new types of gatherings. Having worked as CMO of the largest traditional trade show/conference organizer, I was fascinated by how this next generation will be re-inventing the concept of an industry event. Collision describes it well…unexpected, a little messy, and requiring much booze afterwards to unwind. Because I love listicles, I’ll summarize my first day in the form of one. And, because most of the companies that exhibited are immature (as…
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April 25, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …and inspirational window shopping. I always feel smarter after I’ve left a trade show. Although Tech Day was a mixed bag (see Parts 1 and 2), I did spot some interesting creations among the 500 exhibitors. I’m sure I missed some (just because you can’t possibly visit every table at a 1-day event). If I ignored your product or service, and you happen to be reading this, just send me a note. The impact of really great shows lasts long after the last…
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March 10, 2016
Reading Time: 4 minutes …ir booth. They’re a great example of humanizing technology and rocking the trade show floor! Other stand-out tech-types include UpShow, which displays selfies on a bar’s own TV system, enabling guests to indulge their narcissism and supplying owners with data and a marketing boost. A win-win indeed! Bounc expedites ID checking and keeps establishments out of hot water for serving underage drinkers (but no one has yet built the robot to eject drunk…
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June 13, 2022
Reading Time: 3 minutes …ty to teach our new Marketing Associate Irene Hwang about the joys of food trade shows. (I think I may have permanently corrupted her.) In return, I learned a lot about how to shoot fun videos on the show floor. And I tried out my new RayBan Stories specs! (But I have to remember not to narrate with my mouth full.) More about REAL Cookies in Part 2! I ran into so many friends and colleagues from my NYC pre-pandemic years, including Petra Pasquina,…
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August 31, 2014
Reading Time: 3 minutes …o new ideas and ways to streamline/grow your operation. Plan a field trip. Trade shows, conferences, and workshops abound this time of year. Getting out of your office and absorbing new insights from within or outside your industry can give your business a boost. If, by October, you find yourself slacking off or falling into old routines, simply write on the blackboard (or iPad) 100 times “I will go to the top of my class this year.” It’ll be bett…
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February 5, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …ate/leave at any time without being rejected by the group. Conferences and trade shows help business people feel connected to their industries and share challenges with like-minded people. (About 86k professional and trade organizations and 1 million charitable organizations currently exist in the U.S.) My own “tribal” behavior tends to ebb and flow with my life/work schedule and how social I’m feeling at any given point in time. I belonged to the…
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September 17, 2018
Reading Time: 3 minutes …rnoon indeed. My readers know that I have a somewhat unnatural passion for trade shows and conferences. Having worked in the industry for three years and currently writing/speaking about innovation, I love to attend shows — especially related to food, technology, and lifestyle — and showcase what’s new and hot. Due to an unexpected series of circumstances, I had only three hours to spend at one of the country’s largest natural products* showcases….
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February 1, 2015
Reading Time: < 1 minute …nt. That ultimately led to a career change (from financial services to the trade show world) and then, eventually, to an entrepreneurial venture. It didn’t happen overnight. But being able to pinpoint what I love was the first step. Twelve years later, I’m still wildly passionate about what I do. So, if you’re not loving your job, think about making that list. Everyone should get some…happiness at work, that is! Click to share on Facebook (Opens…
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May 24, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutes …’s pig in blanket), the show was astounding in many ways. I’ve been to big trade shows before. In fact, when I worked in the industry I attended some behemoths. But this one was truly fascinating — perhaps because the food industry touches so many other industries. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be focusing on specific topics related to the restaurant world, but this post is just about the show itself. It was a pleasant change from the tech c…
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August 26, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …le soon. Want to keep up on trends? Of course, there is an association and trade show for the ice cream industry! Now wouldn’t that be a fun conference to speak at? Plain vanilla: Yes, that’s still our favorite flavor. And you might not want to peruse this list on a full stomach. It’s just a taste of some non-traditional (and frankly disgusting) ice cream flavors. Ice cream truck design has kept up with graphic trends. Here are some examples. And…
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October 18, 2014
Reading Time: 2 minutes …bs, and a decrease in crime. Of course, every industry has to have its own trade shows and conferences too! For example, Big Industry Show (U.S. Cannibis Cup), the National Marijuana Business Conference, and several others have sprouted up like weeds. The English major nerd in me compelled me to study-up on the cool kids’ cannabis glossary. I have a budding new lexicon of terms. Consumers have always had their vices. Americans will always figure o…
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March 31, 2016
Reading Time: 4 minutes …of #12. Launched a new website for FashionCampNYC. Supported an incredible trade show for White Plains Linen. Volunteered my marketing brain for Yonkers Partners in Education. Connected with hundreds of new people on social media. Moved to a great new office space at WeWork. Decorated that space on the cheap. Bought healthy snacks for our interns (and myself). Met some interesting people on the elevator and at happy hours. Creative-directed a vide…
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March 23, 2015
Reading Time: 3 minutes …mplified this summer. And the giant Camper Glow Globot was lighting up the trade show floor. I also owe a shout-out to Driscoll Foods, who had healthy snacks (like juicy fresh navel oranges) in their booth. Beats the camp canteen any day! And the best post of the show came from Ivy Fife of Colorado Yurt Company who, when her booth didn’t arrive on time, tweeted, “Our booth shipment didn’t arrive. Interpretive dance to explain yurts?” And here are…
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May 7, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes …p with quirky new company names and taglines and logos. I suggested that a trade show company get into the consumer festival business three years before they bought Comic-Con. I like to silently and deliberately question authority and tradition. And break rules. I never got into real trouble for doing it. But people would sometimes ask me to stop talking or poo-poo my ideas. OK. So, now I’ll stop talking (sort of…I just have a few more things to s…
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June 19, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes …ld Congress & Business Exposition. (#ICYMI #CWCBexpo). I’ve been to many a trade show in my day, but this one was, by far, the most interesting. If you expected to see tie-dyed stoners huddled around bongs, you would be very disappointed. “Cannabis means business” is the organizer’s service mark, and that was evident by the number of venture capitalists, agricultural experts, medical gurus, technology providers, and super-smart consultants on the…
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July 4, 2015
Reading Time: 4 minutes …out food, and to critique new food. Unlike a farmers market, it’s set in a trade show hall — and no one wore overalls. What’s new and tasty (or not)? FRESH and FREE seem to be the keywords of 2015. Trends we spotted last year have exploded and expanded. Manufacturers believe that if they slap “Non-GMO” or “Gluten-Free” on their product, it will instantly sell — even if it contains 1,000 calories and random crap ingredients and it tastes like a car…
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July 11, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes …and information. I get my daily news summary from The Skimm. I often visit trade shows and conferences to learn about new industries and listen to smart people talk about stuff. This week, I’m starting the process of taking the GRE (a practice test at Inspirica) as a means of embarking on a new educational (and perhaps career) adventure. I feed my work team too. Not only do we have a big supply of Quest and Kind bars in the office, every week, eac…
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November 8, 2015
Reading Time: 3 minutes …shed writing an article about branding for MG Magazine, one of the leading trade publications in the industry. I actually got paid to write — a rarity these days. The editorial process was professional and refreshing. Ralph Nader is the keynote at the Marijuana Business Conference and Expo this week. I’ll be 100% focused and taking copious notes. I guess that makes me a suit. Some facts… The size of the industry and the facts about medical marijua…
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May 2, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reading Time: 2 minutes As my readers know, I adore conferences and trade shows. They make me smarter…I meet great new people…and I enjoy some bleisure* time. This week I’m at Collision, which has been described as “Coachella for geeks.” The title of this article is a wink to a different type of gathering. Read on and you’ll get it. Last night, Collision did one of the smartest and classiest things ever — they hosted a cocktail reception for medi…
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September 5, 2016
Reading Time: 5 minutes …oncept that’s been accelerated as a result of technology and the easing of trade barriers. Here’s how to globalize your networking style. My office is globalizing too, which enables me to find resources all over the world! WeWork just expanded to Mexico City and China. Hacking (as in growth hacking, as opposed to breaking computer code or doing crappy work — although some growth hackers may, in fact, do that). It now has a generally positive conno…
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March 16, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutes …mp Conference, of course! I’ve been attending (and often speaking at) this trade show and conference for almost ten years. It’s a wonderful event. Not just because they invite me to speak, but because it personifies community. In fact, the entire event is produced by a small group of Association staff and close to 90 volunteers. That’s right…volunteers. Unpaid people who have the passion and skills and cooperative spirit to put on a huge event (wh…
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March 5, 2017
Reading Time: 3 minutes …e logo that looks the same on your Instagram feed as on your website, app, trade show booth and swag. And I’m definitely not talking about livestock branding which, like marketing branding has evolved. (Cold branding has replaced hot branding.) I’m talking about real flesh-and-blood, soul-based branding. The type of experience that transcends what you do as a company and oozes out of the pores of every customer interaction — but more like a soothi…
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October 23, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …are wearing clean underwear under that awesome costume! More Tricks of the Trade Here’s a great story about a B-to-B company that built a very simple program. Some terrific college ambassador programs. Should you pay your brand ambassadors? Here’s one perspective. (And here’s where the jobs are.) How to get positive online reviews. What to do when the negative reviews “haunt” you. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on…
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September 25, 2016
Reading Time: 5 minutes …the show’s management) who served as my “show sherpa.” P.P.S. As with most trade shows, I meet people who don’t neatly fit into any category. The “tent guys” from Athletic Event Supply gave me a break from the hot Nevada sun on Demo Day and Matthew C. Miller does scientific research on bicycling and lectures about sports and exercise in New Zealand. (Sounds like an interesting gig!) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share…
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September 2, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …! The two summer interns at my company learned a lot too. We all went to a trade show and I taught them how to navigate the working world. Of course, I was enlighted about a thing or two by them as well (like Snapchat). Let’s not forget the fun part of summer! Seeing the Monkees in concert (two of them), viewing Groundhog Day in a bed (a variation on the drive-in movie, sponsored by Casper), and binge-watching some new TV series were among my guil…
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September 18, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutes …ime: 2 minutes Spinning around poles… was one of the highlights of my last trade show/conference journey. Here I am, back in Las Vegas for a whole different kind of spinning…the INTERBIKE International Expo, where bicycle dealers, manufacturers, clothing, health, and food brands, and lots of other bike-related businesses gather to find out what’s next around the curve in their industry’s road. But before I shift gears and write about the business…
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August 15, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …ir goods and that dispensaries can deepen relationships with their buyers. Trade shows, events, and conferences are springing up all over the country. From small fan fests to huge events at conference centers, complete with traditional exhibits, keynote speakers and workshops, they are great places to learn what’s new and trending in this complex industry. Media outlets dedicated to the industry abound. Marijuana Business Media is one of the leade…
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August 10, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …t as the company launched the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). I speak at various trade shows in Atlantic City and Las Vegas and although the extent of my gambling is the occasional quarter dropped into a slot machine at the airport (in the hopes I’ll win enough to buy some Quest Bars), I marvel at the psychology and staging of casinos. They are also great places to gather blog fodder! (You can find my posts here, here, and here!) New casinos are replaci…
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August 7, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …o. If they can do it in the food industry, any business can do it! Go to a trade show within and outside your industry. Seeing how different types of companies display their wares is always fascinating. Conferences are an excellent ways of staying on top of trends and what your competitors are doing. Be festive! Consumer festivals are an excellent way to be entertained while conducting informal research on fan behaviors and how brands leverage spo…
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August 5, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …with big soft duffle bags. I re-purposed them many years later to carry my trade show stuff into a convention center and it was even written-up in Exhibitor Magazine. My daughters (now grown) used the same duffles to move homes. The right kind of baggage lasts a long time, is easy to schlep, and travels far. In 1956, a mere 60 years ago and the halfway mark in luggage innovation, luggage had frames and was sometimes heavier than the contents. Beca…
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July 10, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …l as the fact that I was recently asked to lead a workshop at Interbike (a trade conference) to help older bicycle store owners communicate with and work well with their millennial employees (and, I suppose, help millennial employees better understand the people who own the store…and maybe even help millennial store owners learn how to run a retail operation with people of many ages as their customers and team members). In short, it’s all about in…
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May 24, 2016
Reading Time: 4 minutes …des facts and trends about business and marketing. MEMORABLE. Someone at a trade show once chased me down the aisle to tell me she gets my e-mails and that it’s one of the few she doesn’t delete. She had attended one of my workshops and I added her to my list. My brand is clearly embedded in her brain now. At first, I was creeped-out, but then I was flattered. AFFORDABLE. The cost of an e-mail subscription system is still pretty reasonable. Combin…
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January 26, 2016
Reading Time: < 1 minute …ored. Perhaps it was because I speak at the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show. Perhaps it was because I just started a Pinterest board related to the spirits world (as in booze…not as in ghosts). Perhaps it was because I occasionally eat wasabi peas. In any event, it prompted me to think about how we are now leaving in a world of highly specific passions (i.e., beer snacks) and of community. It’s like one big venn diagram. Algorithms and G…
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January 7, 2016
Reading Time: < 1 minute …dia star.” You just have to be out there. In fact, a friend from my former trade show life just launched VidCon, for online video stars. (Yes…it’s really a thing.) The other strange phenomenon in today’s media world is the proliferation of the “host.” We’ve always had hosts — Johnny Carson, Groucho Marx (“You Bet Your Life“), Bert Parks, and assorted game show hosts. But now hosting has become a profession, and you can even go to special acting cl…
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March 17, 2023
Reading Time: 4 minutes …y, and community the organizers create are unparalleled in the traditional trade show/conference world — even by companies with much bigger budgets. Corporations have a lot to learn from camp people. DEIB (the B stands for “belonging”) is not just a catchphrase or business initiative in camping. It’s a way of life. Creativity, positivity, good manners, and enthusiasm are part of the culture. The conference combines hard skills and learning with am…
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January 31, 2016
Reading Time: 4 minutes …become a client!) Secured client and theONswitch mentions in consumer and trade media. Provided pro bono marketing services for a non-profit. Publishing and Speaking Re-branded newsletter. Please subscribe. Completed my workshop materials for Nightclub & Bar Show and published new posts on website. Wrote two original articles in MG Magazine and attended two insightful cannabis business conferences, to learn more about the fastest-growing industry…
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November 6, 2020
Reading Time: 2 minutes …se-paid Self magazine retreat. About four years ago, I started writing for trade and business media and began getting significant content strategy and writing gigs. I wrote a Killer Content Award. I regularly contribute to a wide range of websites via Clearvoice. I’ve published a few books and some of my own websites. I discovered Grammarly last year. My beloved English teachers (see #5) have been replaced by a bot. He/she corrects my spelling and…
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June 9, 2014
Reading Time: 3 minutes …business? I recently visited Book Expo America (BEA — the giant publishing trade show) and was blown away (no pun intended) at how erotica is not only out in the open, but it’s now an official literary and entertainment genre. No brown paper wrappers or Kindle cover-ups required. The 50 Shades of Grey series set a speed record for selling 1,000,000 copies. In terms of films, R seems to be the new X (although X was converted to NC-17 over a decade…
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February 10, 2018
Reading Time: 3 minutes …bad days) Comic books Reading Hand crafts (knitting, needle arts) Going to trade shows and seeing what’s new. (OK…that’s a little weird…I admit) Useful technology and the intersection of man (woman) and machine Movies and TV with great casts and/or story lines Storytelling Memories of my dad, brother, grandparents, and wacky aunts (RIP) Old photos People who make me laugh – and laughing out loud (in reality, not typing LOL) People who inspire me P…
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September 20, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes …ate mental hospital and a rural elementary school (for credit) in college. Trade shows and conferences are the adult business equivalents of field trips. They provide an opportunity to learn, see new things, and meet interesting people. Blueprint is among my favorites these days. It combines several passions: real estate, construction, hospitality, technology, and memorable event experiences. My fave conference technology at the show is a button o…
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May 25, 2018
Reading Time: 4 minutes …he experience better. (See my Inc.com column for other tips on how to make trade shows worthwhile.) Plants are the new meat. Beef, pork and chicken now have no hoofs, horns, or feathers. At one point in the show, I saw the founders of Beyond Meat and Impossible chatting in the aisle. Clearly, they are creating a new food category, which really does taste very meatish. Before the Butcher also offered some delicious true-to-animal samples. The booth…
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April 7, 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutes …personal habits. (I’ve also abandoned some of my nasty habits, learning to trade in success at all costs for more EQ…at least some of the time.) One useful takeaway from the days of dark wood furniture, high stress, and hours spent justifying my existence is the quarterly review system. It’s a time to reflect on: What did I accomplish in the past 90 days? What were some of the key learnings? How will I translate that into second-quarter adjustment…
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June 16, 2022
Reading Time: 6 minutes …r marketing associate) realized that super-comfy shoes are a must-wear for trade shows at Javits. In our last post, we noted a dozen prevalent trends. Now, let’s break it down to our fave products. Plant-Based Everything and Healthy Options “Track your macros!” advises Mike, my trainer. So, I’m always looking for low-carb, high-protein options. “Preserve the planet!” urges my daughter and my sustainability clients. “I need something to eat — NOW!”…
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October 18, 2018
Reading Time: 3 minutes …Getaways: Those of you who follow my content know that I’m often flying to trade shows and conferences. You can immerse yourself in an industry or a learning category (like blockchain or marketing or HR). It can be for business or for a consumer fan fest. Spending a few days with like-minded people is good for the brain and the soul. My favorite is Collision, although the food shows are pretty amazing too. And, of course, I love the events that I’…
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May 7, 2019
Reading Time: 3 minutes …. Even companies that have a physical presence (like co-working spaces and trade shows/conferences) are finding that they need to compete on variables other than square footage and the number and titles of people in them. Size does not a unique brand make. Brand is all about soul. Although the 20-year old “Priceless” campaign has gone through many iterations and countless CMOs have taken credit for its creation, its roots are based in the fact tha…
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January 8, 2020
Reading Time: 3 minutes …t sampling is a great way to build a fan base. I met a few Pepsi people at trade shows and they were fun, warm, and welcoming. Even though my follower base is in the thousands and not the millions, the Pepsi folk treated me like a valued influencer and customer. In fact, the press release came with a personal note from one of those people. They have built a brand that genuinely stands for memorable (and perhaps a little crazy) times. Aligning spon…
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April 10, 2020
Reading Time: 3 minutes …was as if I had been forced to talk to every sales rep in every booth at a trade show (whether I wanted to or not). Like the perfume people who offer to spritz you when you walk into a department store, the speakers were on a mission and we were a captive audience. We are also now living in the new Wayne’s World where everyone with a smartphone or webcam can become a talk show host. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBkdRELnJiE Here are my tips for…
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September 15, 2023
Reading Time: 3 minutes …ompanies by hosting them at the show. All Work and No Play Sucks, So… What trade show excursion would be complete without a little playtime? Just as in school, we need recess. When I wasn’t on the show floor or in a conference session, where was I? A fun happy hour hosted by Gutter Capital, where I got to speak with their start-up/scale-up companies (like DEN and BuildCasa) and the other guests. The ultimate after-party at a club (co-hosted by REA…
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February 22, 2021
Reading Time: 3 minutes …) B2BMX conference and drove to Las Vegas for what was to be my last major trade show for a while. I ate dinner at a local Phoenix wine bar on March 17th, the night all the restaurants closed down for the long haul. And then, we were plunged into the pandemic world. I’m a transformer, recession survivor, and lemonade maker. I knew almost immediately that I needed to find new ways to have fun, keep my business afloat, stay healthy (and keep those a…
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March 2, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …d talking to total strangers in elevators, conference sessions, and on the trade show floor. Both conferences also happen to be in very social industries — Nightclub & Bar and the Tri-State Camp Conference. Although vastly different, bars and summer camps are venues that encourage talking to strangers, making new friends, and sharing experiences. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to them. Of course, some attendees (and exhibitors) will have their eyes…
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March 3, 2023
Reading Time: 4 minutes …lding” technologies are rapidly becoming commodities. After a while on the trade show floor, the functionalities of the technologies began to blur. As I noted in an article for the Forbes Agency Council, understanding BRAND is key to the survival of tech companies. Of course, they need to have a great product or service first, but they also need to think about their hearts, souls, values, and cultures. Many companies are losing sight of humanity….
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January 24, 2023
Reading Time: 7 minutes …the brands. I still marvel at how so many brands spend the money to go to trade shows but then staff their booths with people who don’t seem to know (or care) about the products. But I need to give a special shout-out to a few people I met at the show who are pouring their hearts and souls into their pots and pans, ovens, and factories. Stephanie Izard, the first female winner of Top Chef, has multiple business ventures and responsibilities, but…
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October 6, 2022
Reading Time: 6 minutes …n to amazing soaps, now makes magic. Magic Chocolate, that is. It’s a fair trade product. And I suppose you can eat it in the tub if you’re so inclined. Sparoom offered a wide range of bath products that smell heavenly. And they’ve partnered with Halls on products that make breathing easier when you’re sick. No time for a bath? Just hang a Shower Burst on your faucet. You’ll be so relaxed you might miss that morning ZOOM. Brush with bamboo and flo…
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October 20, 2021
Reading Time: 2 minutes …r (and current producer of ComicCon). I have been writing about events and trade shows for years. In fact, my blogs dating back to 2014 are a combo of “reviews” of specific events and some general best practices for attending them. I often refer to them as business shopping malls or the B-to-B version of Coachella. But, like riding a bicycle (with a mask on), my conference skills will all come back to me. And I’m super-excited (geek that I am) tha…
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February 4, 2022
Reading Time: 5 minutes …ing something that was sucking my soul rather than feeding it. We all make trade-offs between love and money at different stages of our lives. LOVE TIP: If you don’t wake up every day looking forward to your job, find something that gives you joy. Make a list of things you love to do and things you don’t. As you look at work options, make sure that you find a place that allows you to do the former. Things Let’s face it. We all have “stuff” that we…
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February 13, 2022
Reading Time: 5 minutes …writers and content producers. Live events are here to stay. Here are 2022 trade show predictions and trends. Foods to be avoided if you want to live a long and healthy life. Coming up next…love your planet. (My visit to GreenBiz) When you absolutely must splurge I can’t resist a mascot. Did you know that Jelly Belly now makes flavored seltzer??!! Off the Strip: The Italian-American Club (a total throwback) Dinner Night #1: Hail Caesar Salad! Dinn…
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March 11, 2022
Reading Time: 4 minutes …y Mischief Makeup, before a speaking gig Credit: Duane Furlong (taken on a trade show floor, courtesy of Trust Radius) The amazing Shelley Franklin loves complex photo composition From a Femforce shoot Product placement. Me and my books, courtesy of Femforce. (They’re available on Amazon.) Photo fun with friends. Celebrating my birthday with oh-so-photogenic Patricia. Bartenders and servers are now photographers too. Click to share on Facebook (…
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May 1, 2022
Reading Time: 2 minutes …to my life? For example, I realized that I missed business conferences and trade shows. I used to also go to at least one local event each week, and am slowly re-learning how to make small talk and balance a cocktail and a plate of apps. What did I do differently during that time that made my life better? New habits and hobbies? New work schedule? It could be as simple as ordering groceries from Instacart or doing jigsaw puzzles. Keep doing the th…
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September 27, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes …ark of the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, a conference and tradeshow that’s sponsored by the International Cannabis Association. I attended the show as a member of the press (i.e., a professional blogger and writer) and here is the first of a 3-part series on what’s really going on in the wild world of weed, a blooming industry that’s filled with misconceptions, issues, opportunities, and question marks. Cannabis is the fastest-gro…
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March 13, 2016
Reading Time: 3 minutes …and metaphorical). It involved speaking at two conferences and touring two trade show floors, passing through seven cities (and over others), dealing with an airline fail that almost resulting in my missing a speaking gig, running my business remotely (including a major new media announcement for Booker), participating in my granddaughter’s baptism, meeting and speaking with at least 100 new people, and reconnecting with many more old friends/coll…
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March 8, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …terhood if I didn’t acknowledge this “celebration.” I suppose I could post trade show models in skimpy bar attire, but I don’t think that’s the point of the day. Women’s Day started as a Socialist holiday in 1909 and involved lots of (rightfully) angry women. Like all commemorative holidays, it has sort of evolved into an awareness-building day, a media-fest, and an awesome source of content for all us social media types. (I’m currently working on…
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March 5, 2016
Reading Time: < 1 minute …ear of speaking at the show in Las Vegas. It’s one of the more interesting trade shows I go to during the year — a business bazaar of skimpy uniforms and shot glasses, as well as incredible sophisticated technologies for bars and clubs. I’ve even become an avid watcher of Bar Rescue after meeting Jon Taffer and his entourage at last year’s show. Like all industries, the spirits industry (and the places that serve liquor) are changing rapidly. I me…
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April 22, 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes …em sat at their tables like sullen 7-11 employees, staring at their phones…trade show etiquette is always spotty). I discovered some pretty amazing inventions that had real utility (which will be detailed in Part 2), I also found that many people are trying to better mousetraps when nothing was wrong with the original trap. Or, maybe the place they are building for doesn’t even have a mouse problem. Or, rather than adding some cheese or peanut but…
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