More than $1 Million Raised in Support of IAEE Public Relations Campaign Industry-Wide Initiative Launched to Increase Awareness of Face-to-Face Events

LAS VEGAS, 8 December 2011 – Today, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) announces it has raised more than $1 million in support of its public relations campaign to increase awareness about the long-term benefits of face-to-face exhibitions and events.

At the heart of this project is a drive to raise funds to support the campaign's goal which is to tell the industry's story while strengthening the exhibitions and events industry's reputation as the preeminent medium for conducting business. No other media brings buyers and sellers together as effectively.

IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito says, "I am thrilled by the support from hundreds of our colleagues and their organizations. Never before, in IAEE's 83-year history, has there been such a collaborative effort to achieve one goal. As a result, we are now well-positioned to launch and support a vital campaign that will benefit our own industry and the customers we serve."

He continues, "I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Public Relations Task Force led by Kimberly Hardcastle, Paige Cardwell and Nina Carrara, as well as my fellow directors on the board who were led by Visit Orlando's President and CEO Gary Sain. The generous contributions pledged as a result of these efforts will be invested carefully to meet IAEE members' expectations."

Early supporters who not only supported the campaign financially, but who also submitted compelling stories of their exhibitors' successes include the Consumer Electronics Association, SEMA, INFOCOMM, Monster Cable, the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Restaurant Association to name a few. The three-year-long campaign will focus on communicating the strengths and relevance of face-to-face opportunities, increasing the favorable impression of events, compiling real stories about the power and uniqueness of trade shows, differentiating trade shows from other forms of engagement and leveraging new media and digital opportunities to expand reach and build an online presence.

Additionally, from the initial creation of the Campaign, industry associations including of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI); Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA); Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO), and The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), have been instrumental in the development and establishment of their long-term commitment to the Campaign.

Supporting Organizations Include:

Champions:
American College of Surgeons in Chicago
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
Atlantis
Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau
Conference Direct
Consumer Electronics Association/CES
Convention News TV (CNTV)
CTIA – The Wireless Association
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination DC
Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
Freeman
Global Experience Specialists (GES)
Global Pet Expo
Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hargrove
Hawaii Convention Center
Helms Briscoe
InfoComm International
International Housewares Association
LA Inc. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Los Angeles Convention Center
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Maritz
McCormick Place
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
MGM
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
New Orleans Metropolitan CVB
Northstar Meetings Group
Orange County Convention Center
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
Premier Beauty
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Rosen Hotels and Resorts
San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau
San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
Society of the Plastics Institute
Solar Energy Trade Shows LLC (SETS)
Tourism Toronto – Convention and Visitors Association
Trade Show Executive
UBM Live
US Poultry & Egg Association
Visit Denver
Visit Mexico
Visit Orlando

Leaders:
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Anaheim – Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
bxb Online
Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)
Experient, Inc.
Ft. Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
George R. Brown Convention Center
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Vancouver Visitors and Convention Bureau
Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA)
Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)
Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association
Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Minneapolis Northwest Convention and Visitors Bureau
Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI)
Performance Racing
St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission
Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tampa Bay and Company
Visit Baltimore
Visit Charlotte
Visit Jacksonville

Supporters:
AE Ventures
Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)
ConvExx
Craft & Hobby Association
Exhibit Surveys, Inc.
Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
Light Speed
Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO)
Mears Transportation
National Automobile Dealers Association
Portland Oregon Visitors Association
VP International
Western Veterinary Conference

About IAEE
Since 1928, IAEE continues to provide quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE also supports IAEE Services, the IAEE Public Events Council, The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing, and the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission, which are IAEE councils that provide products, programs and information to members. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: American Airlines, ASP, Inc., Bearcom, Mexico Tourism Board, Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando, Vertical Nerve, Inc. and VoiceLogic. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.

ExpoPromoter is also the member of IAEE.

10 Tips to Increase Your Event Attendance and Gain Visitors Loyalty

1. Well-organised event

Never think your attendees won’t notice anything. If you are organizing an event – take good care, be attentive, consider the smallest details and hire professionals to make it a perfect event and unforgettable experience for your clients. Positive feedback is the best tool to promote your event and attract more exhibitors and visitors. Similar to social networking negative comments in the world of Internet turns out to be a disaster for your event. Keep in mind Jeff Bezos’ words “If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they might each tell 6 friends. If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends”.

2. User friendly event web site

Make sure that your event web site is not only stylish and modern, but also informative and has a user friendly interface. Potential clients are to find necessary information quick enough to make a decision about participating in your event. Make certain that they don’t get lost in your web site – make it simple, functional and clear.

3. Respect your visitor and save his time – he’ll be grateful

Do you have a lot of spare time? Why do you think event attendees have more?

First of all, don’t hesitate to implement online registration and e-ticketing service on your event web site. It will provide your participants with a time-saving opportunity to buy a ticket online and avoid queuing at the entrance. Note that your time will be saved as well, in addition to contracting your expenses. Due to automation of registration, billing and check-in processes you will have your costs on hiring additional staff cut.

4. Provide attendees with additional benefits

Do as much as you can to provide your event attendee with all the information he needs to plan his trip right on your web site. Place a link to air/train tickets finder, car rental website, online hotel booking system. In addition to saving your visitors time you can also get commission from service companies and additionally monetize your visitors flow. (e.g. Google Flight Search, HotelsForEvent etc.)

One shouldn`t forget about the matchmaking solutions offering your attendees the opportunity to plan meetings with exhibitors in advance.

5. Hosted buyer program

If you are about to organise a trade show or exhibition spend some money to attract professional visitors. Scale geography of your event, gain participants and attendees loyalty – provide them with guaranteed business meetings using matchmaking services to make profitable deals.

6. Invite your past event attendees to join next event and encourage them with discounts

If you use online registration system, then your past attendee’s data base is ready to be put in work. E-mail your past visitors to invite them to the next edition or inform about a new event launch. The interest may rise if you offer a discount by sending a promo-code. Give attendees special offers and increase their loyalty!

7. Don’t spam

You may lose your visitors if you go too far trying to get in touch with them. People nowadays receive a pile of emails every day and if you go on spamming them don’t wait for a positive feedback. Stay positive and unobtrusive.

8. Attract your audience by informing

Give maximum information about your event on your web site, in corporate blog – everywhere. Firstly, it will prevent you from answering unnecessary questions and save your precious time. Secondly, the more information you distribute, the more people you are likely to engage. Describe all aspects of your event and don`t forget to write from the point of view of each visitor group (exhibitors, attendees, press etc.), they require information to be put in a different way.

9. Don’t ignore the power of social networking

Creating pages for your event in social media is a good way to address your target audience in person and analyse public opinion. Don’t be too formal, but avoid familiarity. Post something familiar to visitors and exhibitors – for example photos/videos from the event, news from the participants etc. It’s important to find balance in combining business-style communication and informal style of social networks.

10. Leave your promotion to professionals

To increase your event awareness use popular event calendars – some of them are free of charge and offer additional pre-paid promotion. The sum to pay for such promotions on b2b web sites is often reasonable, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time for core organization process. For example ExpoPromoter.com targets your advertising on b2b web sites from your event industry.

20 Reasons to Use Online Registration and E-ticketing Service For Your Event

Do you still hesitate whether to set up online registration and e-ticketing solution  on your event website? Leave all your doubts behind and empower your event web site with new functions. Here are at least 20 reasons to do it.

1. Free online registration service
2. Increase in visitor’s loyalty
3. Customization of Registration form according to your wishes
4. Automation of online visitor registration and e-ticketing process with generation of unique QR-code
5. Involve less personnel to process registration data
6. Adjustable E-Ticket/Badge with additional info blocks (add logos, hall plan, maps…)
7. Ticket sale widget design customisation to fit in event’s web site
8. Creation of different types of tickets (visitor, participant, press, student…)
9. More than 90 payment options for international and local visitors
10. Promo codes set up
11. Free check-in software
12. No lines at the entrance
13. Time-saving
14. Real time notifications for every registration
15. Customization of visitor notifications
16. In-depth visitor registration and attendance statistics – before, during and after the event
17. Automated data base arrangement for later use
18. Placement of ticket sale widget or a link to the registration form at event web site and at the websites of your partners
19. Technical support
20. Commission charged only on tickets sold

All these advantages are available within TicketForEvent online registration and e-ticketing service. In addition, have your tickets sold via ExpoPromoter affiliate network (800+ B2B web sites).

78-th UFI Conference gathers friends and breaks records

On November, 11, UFI members waved farewell to each other after spending 3 days at 78-th UFI Congress. Aimed to examine key industry issues congress managed to bring together almost 400 delegates from 52 countries at the state-of-the-art Feria Valencia Exhibition Centre, Spain. This outstanding attendance of 2011 edition breaks all records for UFI Congress’ in Europe and confirms this year’s theme, “Bridging Continents – Linking People”.

Mariya Shtanhrat and Paul Woodward

UFI Managing Director Paul Woodward stated that “as the voice of the global exhibition industry, UFI represents member organisations managing over 12 million square meters of exhibition space and organizing over 3000 international exhibitions around the globe”.

This year’s event was marked by integration of innovative solutions and discussions of industry trends in informal and relaxing atmosphere.

Two ExpoPromoter representatives took part in the event – Mariya Shtanhrat, ExpoPromoter Business Development Manager, and her associate Julia Kliuchkovska.

On their return Mariya and Julia infected all our staff with their extremely positive impressions about the Congress. This excitement couldn`t be left unnoticed!

H.S. Bedi & Julia Kliuchkovska

Old friends` meeting  is the best description of the atmosphere of the event. Thank to modern means of communication, which help connecting people and establishing friendly relations online, participants met as if they’d known each other for years – although for some of them it was their first meeting in person. Whether being connected on LinkedIn, making friends on Facebook or following on Twitter everyone felt like home – familiar faces no matter how you slice it :)

Mariya Shtanhrat, ExpoPromoter Business Development Manager:

“It was a great trip! Wonderful weather, hospitable Spain, beautiful Valencia and tasty national cuisine left warmest recollection.

”This is not the first UFI event I visit, so I was glad to see many people I already know and pleased with a friendly reception.

”Generally, the program of the UFI event was well considered, as usual.

Presentations` topics were truly urgent, useful information was spiced with sense of humor and speakers artistically got out the message to the audience. The most unforgettable speaker is definitely Stephane Garelli, Professor at IMD, Institute of Development Management (Switzerland) – his natural charisma sticked to everyone’s memory! Regular coffee breaks gave perfect opportunity to meet new people, talk business and not only :) .

”Not to forget about Valencia sightseeing tour, which impressed us with city’s beauty and lively atmosphere combining history and modernism. And of course, a seabreeze… :)

Dinner at Valencia Opera House

”Still one of the best attractions was a sophisticated dinner in enchanting atmosphere at Valencia Opera House (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia). We had a great time together!

”However, the only disadvantage of the Congress is a lack of time to get to know all of the delegates. So many people to meet and so little time to do that!”

Once more UFI did a great work to encourage event industry development, create the opportunity to network with a wide range of expo professionals, share best practices and industry innovations. For example, this year everyone appreciated convenience of a useful device Poken, created to collect and exchange digital information in the real world with one touch. So participants had no need to collect paper business cards – UFI members went green:) As Poken officially announces on their Twitter account over 2000 paperless docs collected in pokenHUB of 400 delegates and 10 000 exchanged social business cards.

We look forward to see everyone at future UFI events. We are always open for communication and cooperation – stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

P.S. Warm congratulations to Arie Brienen (CEO Jaarbeurs Holding, Netherlands), who took over as UFI President at the end of the Valencia Congress.

More photos from the 78-th UFI Congress on ExpoPromoter Flickr page

Fairtrade sets up HotelsForEvent widget for 11 events

Starting from this expo season attendees of Fairtrade Messe (DE) events can use a new option on the events` websites – online hotel searching and booking solution.

HotelsForEvent provides fast and easy online search of accommodation near the venue through 235,000 hotels worldwide.

Using ExpoPromoter HotelsForEvent cloud solution for all of the Fairtrade Messe events is expected to increase visitors loyalty and ensure easy event hotel search.
Details

ExpoPromoter is in Valencia

Take a look at the Exhibition World article about UFI 78th Congress and read our report next week.

EUROPE - The 2011 annual UFI Congress is underway in Valencia, bringing together more than 400 delegates from the international exhibition industry to discuss the future of exhibitions.

The two-day speaker programme is being moderated this year by Hakan Gershagen, senior advisor and board member at Belgian organiser EasyFairs. Key speakers include Stephane Garelli, professor at the Institute of Development Management in Switzerland, who will speak about the impact of the ongoing global economic crisis, and Mercedes Araoz, professor at the Universidad del Pacifico in Peru, who will address Latin America´s opportunity for exhibition organisers.

Feria Valencia’s president Alberto Catala Ruiz de Galarreta welcomed delegates from 25 countries to Valencia. He pointed out the current business, political and economic climate made it difficult to determine in which direction the world is headed.

The UFI Congress is an opportunity for members “to take a time-out in Valencia, share information and strategise on the pitfalls and opportunities ahead for the exhibition industry”, he said.

UFI 2011 president Eric Everard agreed the industry needed to continue to develop ways to promote the benefits of exhibitions to global marketers.  

“If we can do our bit to convince business that, when times are tough, exhibitions and events are the place to focus their marketing dollars, then there will have been a silver lining in those storm clouds for our industry,” he told the congress.

A highlight of the UFI Congress programme is a panel discussion on how face-to-face business events will work in the future, with opinion from experts representing various aspects of the business events industry. The panel comprises Rod Cameron from the International Association of Congress Centres (Belgium), Martin Sirk CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (Netherlands) and Denzil Rankine, founder and chief executive at AMR International (UK).

The event also sees the official handover of the UFI presidency from Everard to Arie Brienen, CEO of Jaarbeurs Holding in the Netherlands. Deputy director of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Chen Xianjin was recently appointed the 2013 UFI presidency.


Exhibition World

Check out new video presentation of ExpoPromoter online ticketing service TicketForEvent! We receive hundreds of questions from organisers of events, striving to learn more about this solution. Find out about main features and advantages of  the TicketForEvent solution and don't hesitate to post your comments ;)  Refer your further questions to ticket@expopromoter.com 

Link http://www.youtube.com/user/ExpoPromoter#p/u/0/8czJGQlZTSc

Watch our YouTube channel