Planning a meeting in Las Vegas or attending a convention in Las Vegas and having to organize satellite events?
| Staying Current in an Evolving Industry |
Wireless lights are giving planners and lighting designers an easy alternative to keeping lights confined to a near-by electrical outlet. Wireless lights on the market today are so small they can be used on table tops and other intimate areas which would normally be filled with a candle and run the risk associated with an open flame. Wireless LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) emits very little heat and require no power to run in their battery-operated form. Additionally, LEDs can be programmed for color sequence and timed intervals. As this style feature gains increased attention, more vendors are adding them to their arsenal of rental items.
Exhibitors have been using booth space for years to create a particular theme or element which ties together with their product and leaves a lasting impression on its visitors. Similarly, event spaces can be customized to create a residential environment that gives your guests a comfortable and unexpected experience. Suppliers offer furniture and accents like patterned area rugs, end tables, oversized armchairs, throw pillows, carpeting, and table lamps to design a relaxed area. This type of design is perfect for receptions, post-conference dinners, and award banquets.
Promotional Material
Promotional material comes in many forms but all usually aim to increase sales or support the brand. Thousands of retailers and wholesalers supply the event industry with familiar promotional material like magnets and pens, but a shift is occurring. Not surprisingly, the shift is moving towards greener material and products that bring the user back to the company’s website.
Biologic biodegradable materials used in eco-friendly products are having success as the push for corporate and social responsibility makes its way into event and meeting planning. The typically unused and outdated promo material will often go untouched as attendees realize that these goods are likely to end up at the bottom of a drawer or in a trash can. Items like reusable coffee mugs, recycled notepads and planners, clothing, tote bags, plants and flowers are examples of popular sustainable promotional material. Practical items like USB flashdrives and travel mugs are also eco-friendly selections because they are more likely to be used by the recipient and can replace a product that would normally be purchased by the recipient. Not only will the receiver of these promotional materials recognize the thought and effort of selecting sustainable items, you can feel good about distributing them.
At a recent sales conference for a Fortune 500 company, T-shirts were given to audience members for participation in a question and answer series. What seemed like an uninspired idea turned out to be quite the opposite. Once all the T-shirts had been distributed it was revealed that one of them contained a bar code which, with the help of a customized app, would unlock the winning prize of two Super Bowl tickets. The level of engagement by all attendees was then elevated as they realized that the promotional materials held greater value then anticipated. Those who had received T-shirts instantly used their smartphones to download the app and visit the company website to see if they were the winners. Additionally, numerous other audience members later visited the website to learn about the new technology and reveal who the winner was which was posted immediately. This is just one example of what is possible when thinking outside of the box and using promo material in a whole new capacity.
In-Tent Events
Shaking the stigma of tented events is easy once meeting planners realize just how versatile and chic tented venues are these days. You are no longer limited to the permanent meeting space that has been designed with little personality in order to satisfy all event hosts. The location you choose to place the tent will immediately add to the character of the space plus it is an economical way to combine the beauty of an outdoor setting with the creature comforts of a permanent building. These comforts include air-conditioning, customized lightening, wall-to-wall carpeting, dance floors, and luxury décor items like French doors with hydraulic closers, and chandeliers.
Weather is not an issue with these very durable tents that are designed to protect guests from the elements. Guest will receive shelter from the sun and warmth during cool evenings so events can continue seamlessly no matter the weather forecast. Event planners especially enjoy being able to select the event site from virtually anywhere and the ability to exercise creativity. The blank slate embedded in tents coupled with the free range of location gives planners complete control to create the right environment and ambiance.
The use of multiple tents can be cordoned off for special areas designated for VIPs or executives. Several tents can also be connected so different spaces have different themes or functions, like a quite dining area in one and a dance area with a DJ in another. If the event is held during unfavorable weather, special walkways can be linked so guests can get to and from their transportation without braving the elements.
Exhibitors have been using booth space for years to create a particular theme or element which ties together with their product and leaves a lasting impression on its visitors. Similarly, event spaces can be customized to create a residential environment that gives your guests a comfortable and unexpected experience. Suppliers offer furniture and accents like patterned area rugs, end tables, oversized armchairs, throw pillows, carpeting, and table lamps to design a relaxed area. This type of design is perfect for receptions, post-conference dinners, and award banquets.
Promotional Material
Promotional material comes in many forms but all usually aim to increase sales or support the brand. Thousands of retailers and wholesalers supply the event industry with familiar promotional material like magnets and pens, but a shift is occurring. Not surprisingly, the shift is moving towards greener material and products that bring the user back to the company’s website.
Biologic biodegradable materials used in eco-friendly products are having success as the push for corporate and social responsibility makes its way into event and meeting planning. The typically unused and outdated promo material will often go untouched as attendees realize that these goods are likely to end up at the bottom of a drawer or in a trash can. Items like reusable coffee mugs, recycled notepads and planners, clothing, tote bags, plants and flowers are examples of popular sustainable promotional material. Practical items like USB flashdrives and travel mugs are also eco-friendly selections because they are more likely to be used by the recipient and can replace a product that would normally be purchased by the recipient. Not only will the receiver of these promotional materials recognize the thought and effort of selecting sustainable items, you can feel good about distributing them.
At a recent sales conference for a Fortune 500 company, T-shirts were given to audience members for participation in a question and answer series. What seemed like an uninspired idea turned out to be quite the opposite. Once all the T-shirts had been distributed it was revealed that one of them contained a bar code which, with the help of a customized app, would unlock the winning prize of two Super Bowl tickets. The level of engagement by all attendees was then elevated as they realized that the promotional materials held greater value then anticipated. Those who had received T-shirts instantly used their smartphones to download the app and visit the company website to see if they were the winners. Additionally, numerous other audience members later visited the website to learn about the new technology and reveal who the winner was which was posted immediately. This is just one example of what is possible when thinking outside of the box and using promo material in a whole new capacity.
In-Tent Events
Shaking the stigma of tented events is easy once meeting planners realize just how versatile and chic tented venues are these days. You are no longer limited to the permanent meeting space that has been designed with little personality in order to satisfy all event hosts. The location you choose to place the tent will immediately add to the character of the space plus it is an economical way to combine the beauty of an outdoor setting with the creature comforts of a permanent building. These comforts include air-conditioning, customized lightening, wall-to-wall carpeting, dance floors, and luxury décor items like French doors with hydraulic closers, and chandeliers.
Weather is not an issue with these very durable tents that are designed to protect guests from the elements. Guest will receive shelter from the sun and warmth during cool evenings so events can continue seamlessly no matter the weather forecast. Event planners especially enjoy being able to select the event site from virtually anywhere and the ability to exercise creativity. The blank slate embedded in tents coupled with the free range of location gives planners complete control to create the right environment and ambiance.
The use of multiple tents can be cordoned off for special areas designated for VIPs or executives. Several tents can also be connected so different spaces have different themes or functions, like a quite dining area in one and a dance area with a DJ in another. If the event is held during unfavorable weather, special walkways can be linked so guests can get to and from their transportation without braving the elements.
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If accepted, your submission will be edited for length and clarity. There is no monetary payment if your item is used; instead, you can publicize yourself through a five-line biography with your contact information that will appear at the end of the article.
Send submissions to
editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.