Experts & Opinions

Sep 11, 2023
I try to go to Burning Man when I can and that may shock a lot of my peers and network. At first blush you might think it's all about drugs and nudity but this is NOT what Burning Man is about.  When Bob Priest-Heck and I joined forces at Immersa Marketing (many moons ago), our focus was on community. I asked him if I could go and "audit" Burning Man, and he agreed. I partnered with Cindy Shine and Shannon Malliet, and we made our way to Black Rock City, Nev. There were many lessons gathered on this pilgrimage as we tried to understand the difference between creating a "moment" vs. creating… more
Sep 05, 2023
Advances in natural language understanding (NLU) have made chatbots more than a stopgap for customer service alone. The increased flexibility in their application has allowed organizations to implement AI-powered technology by channel and by purpose to provide intelligent guidance and contextual support for a myriad of business processes and workflows. In the event marketing space, chatbots have now become essential for promoting and even assisting in the management of an event. However, these “virtual agents” offer many advantages beyond a few basic touch points within the customer journey… more
Aug 29, 2023
With the post-COVID comeback of in-person trade shows, exhibitors need something to break through the noise and stand out from the competition. Stand in your booth at the next show and watch the sea of attendees flowing past you, looking for a reason to stop and listen to what you have to offer. A booth decked out with the right promotional signage and giveaways can be the bait that helps you reel them in. And with the right strategy, you make an indelible impression during the show and long after it shuts down.   See What’s Out There Today’s product choices are more creative and compelling… more
Aug 22, 2023
Companies are ready to invest significant budgets to participate in exhibitions, as events can comprise a large concentration of a target audience. But how to make these investments as effective as possible? The main task of a booth or a brand zone is to interact with a target audience, depending on the purpose of participation in an exhibition, to find partners, clients or potential employees. The marketing role of a booth is to be bright and original to attract as many visitors as possible. To solve this task effectively, the booth should be visually attractive, functional and interactive… more
Aug 15, 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of business events, where people-to-people interactions continue to rise, the significance of networking events cannot be overstated.  These gatherings, whether in-person or online, offer a unique platform for professionals to exchange ideas, collaborate and form connections that have the potential to shape the trajectory of their careers and businesses.  However, amidst the buzz of exchanging business cards and collecting leads, it's crucial to recognize that business relationships forged in these settings are the true golden nuggets of networking. Beyond… more
Aug 08, 2023
Inflation impacts all industries, and the event industry is no exception. An economic downturn means higher venue prices, even as the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency causes a greater demand for face-to-face events. And event professionals and teams are caught in the crossfire, forced to find ways to cut costs while still delivering ROI for event attendees. These pressures, in turn, can lead to burnout and turnover.  Fortunately, there is a solution for thriving in the face of adversity: resilience, a kind of professional flexibility. It is the ability to snap back from difficulties.… more
Aug 01, 2023
I’m looking forward to attending the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit, which will be held Aug. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake. Powered by PCMA, CEMA advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Last week, I spoke with CEMA Vice President, Strategy and Operations Sandra Marcus, who told me the event had nearly 500 total attendees registered as of July 27, compared with 455 attendees in 2022. Of those, 32% are event marketers, she said. I’ve attended the event before, but it’s been a number… more
Jul 25, 2023
Personalization is the key to capturing consumer loyalty and creating strong customer ties. When you truly understand your audience’s unique preferences, you can create memorable experiences that keep them coming back for more.   This level of personalization can best be achieved with data-driven strategies that you tailor to the individual needs of your audience. While there are various approaches to mastering personalization, field marketing has become one of the most powerful tactics to affect it. When properly implemented, it can engage customers, build trust and ultimately boost your… more
Technology is ever-changing, and choosing which options will deliver on your marketing objectives can be overwhelming when designing a trade show exhibit. Here are five ways technology can enhance your exhibit experience and help you achieve your marketing objectives.   Increase Engagement Creating an interactive experience within your exhibit captures the attention of attendees and allows them to experience your brand. Augmented and virtual reality are great ways to achieve this.  Augmented reality (AR) enhances a real-world environment using digital, visual and sound elements. Virtual… more
Jul 17, 2023
Face-to-face trade shows were fatally interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies were forced to let go of their exhibit managers, and as a result, they are now filling that function with less experienced personnel. This has highlighted the need for exhibitor education and training of inexperienced personnel in a way that ultimately generates better quality leads that make their follow-up easier for the sales force. Trade shows are generally a significant cost line item on a company’s marketing budget, and it is no longer cost-effective to simply show up and show off to exhibit.… more
Partner Voices
For the past 18 years, BlueHive Exhibits has been a steadfast partner for both national and international companies, catering to their trade show and event needs.