Trade Show University for Virtual & Live Events

Hi to all my friends in the trade show industry, all the businesses that exhibit at and sponsored trade shows that any person just wide to learn more about these incredible events we call trade show. I suppose conferences and more. I want to welcome you all to a very special Thanksgiving episode of Trade Show University. Very short episode today. I'm Jim Cermak and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I...

A question Show Producers and Organizers wrestle with all the time is...Should we have a Host or Emcee for our Event? To help answer that question is Wendee Lee Curtis, a professional Trade Show and Conference Host and Emcee! Wendee Lee started her career on Broadway, working up to a leading role in the hit musical, Mamma Mia. From there she took the leap to Network TV anchor, and now working stag...

In today's ever changing event world, it's critical to figure out new ways for exhibitors to reach their target audience. To give tips and advice is Erica Bishaf - the Founder & CEO of CampfireSocial, the first-of-its-kind private social network and commerce platform designed for trade verticals. Erica is a 20+ year award winning strategy & insights veteran who has worked for consumer pack...

We are discussing Making a Difference at your events today so we can impact events and the environment long term! Proud to discuss Sustainability in Event Planning with Joanna Berens of Joanna Berens Hospitality, and the President, of the Sustainable Events Network, Florida & Caribbean. Joanna's hospitality and event career spans more than thirty years, working in the DC, New York and Miami ma...

It's one thing to be branding your business, but if you want effectiveness you have to make sure your audience is ready to take in your message and branding. One powerful method to prime your audience is through Play. Nobody knows play better than the duo behind Energizing Events - Paul Miller, national touring comedy juggler, and Dawn Daria, award winning author and educator, promote play with a...

Brian Scott of Cleartone Consulting and Heather Holst-Knudsen of H2K Partners are experts in the technology space in the events industry. Together they have formed TechMatch to help business leaders and associations transform their results. In this episode we discuss Digital Transformation and Digital Acceleration within the Association/Events Industry. Some of the topics covered include: Changes...

Here's 5 super effective Trade Show Tips that NOBODY is talking about! Some may even ruffle some feathers! Let's get to them, but first... Be sure to register for the weekly Trade Show University newsletter - go to tradeshowu.biz to sign up! Also - please leave a Rating and Review on Apple Podcasts! #1 -- Get the attention of people who are not looking at you We don’t want to bug people, especiall...

In this episode we discuss how sponsors can use gamification to offer value and pre-qualify an attendee and sponsor match. After being fired in 2017, Adam Haesler knew he needed to find his core values, like a life compass, which helped him find events! His core values are potential, which means continuous improvement, and community, helping each other pursue a collective potential. Today, Adam is...

As a CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) or the head of marketing for your organization, you have to look at trade shows, conferences and live events in a whole new way today thanks to the pandemic. The landscape has clearly changed everything! To help guide the way, I have brought on Devin Cleary, the VP of Global Events at Bizzabo. Devin is a top-performing event producer and passionate marketing exec...

Introducing the 100% rule.  This is something that can have a huge impact on our Life and our Trade Shows.  If you can get your team, and yourself to follow the 100% rule, you will notice a huge improvement in your results.  I absolutely guarantee it! Okay – now let’s talk about the 100% Rule. This may be a bit controversial.  There is no such thing as a balanced life.  Th...

With all the exhibits at a trade show, how do people remember your exhibit? Create a memorable experience and you will stand out! To talk about this topic is Lynn Edwards, owner of Proper Planning! Lynn brings over 30 years and a wealth of experience to event management. Lynn and her team provide a comprehensive and efficient method for producing innovative events across the country. Lynn is exper...

Trade Shows and Events can be a big part of the Marketing mix for a lot of companies. And Marketing plays a HUGE part in the success of your shows! So in this episode, we bring in a lot of Marketing basics you need to consider. Joining me on the podcast to share in all the Marketing fun is Bryan Lefelhoc, Director of Sales for Spire Marketing, a marketing firm with three locations serving Northern...

Teams win Championships by being better at the Basics than everyone else. And your company can WIN your Trade Show by Mastering the Basics! If you really focus you and your team on getting back to the basics, you can achieve Champion-level Success! So what are the Basics of Trade Shows?  The basics are the difference makers!  It’s not your booth layout or design, your giveaways or anythi...

Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVB) and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO) can be a huge asset to your company when planning, exhibiting or sponsoring an event! Joining me on this episode is expert Michelle Moor of Experience Kissimmee! Michelle Moore is the Sr. Director of Meeting Sales and Services at Experience Kissimmee, the official CVB for Kissimmee, Florida. Michelle is approachi...

Question: What to do if you have a bad booth location? For anyone who has exhibited at trade shows, expos, conferences or events, you probably have been stuck with a bad booth location at some point. So what do you do? Don't just give up and take what attendance happens to come your way. Take control! Here's many tips and ideas for making the best of the situation! First – do your best to avoid it...

Join me in welcoming Mike Morrison, Host of The Don and Mike Show Podcast, a weekly podcast focused on Trade Shows, Events and Experiential Marketing issues in today's world. Mike is also the National Sales Director for WS Displays with over 20 years in Trade Show Display Supply side and five years in the podcast world. He is a Member in EDPA, ESCA, IAEE, EACA and more. In this episode, we talk ab...

Hey Exhibitors - this episode is for you! Here's a question to consider...can Covid have a positive effect on upcoming Trade Shows, Expos, Conferences and Events? I propose the answer is YES! I know what you’re probably feeling right now.  You have committed to an upcoming show, and concerned about attendance.  Due to Covid and new variants, there may not be a very strong turnout. But th...

What is an Event Run Sheet, and why is it a Must-Have for running a successful event - whether a planner or exhibitor? Michelle Nicole McNabb, Owner of Emenee Marketing ‘n’ Events, is here to explain! Michelle Nicole serves B2B markets to justify event ROI, get unstuck and ease overwhelm of event production, and execute activation campaigns that align organizer and sponsor intentions that generate...

It's time to BUST some MYTHS!! Forget everything you Think You Know about Trade Shows! There are 8 Common myths and misconceptions which nearly every business has about trade shows that is holding them back and ruining their results! Believe me – I have been there and held these myths as beliefs.  And you may believe one or all of them.  But I want to completely bust these apart. 1) Too...

You are about to meet someone who after 30 years in the trade show industry is dedicating herself to the betterment of the industry she serves. She wants no small vendor or supplier to go under! Laura Palker is the Founder/President of the National Trade Show Alliance, a nonprofit organization formed to shine the light on the many segments of the Conference, Exhibition, Trade Show and Meeting Indu...

Today we are talking all about integrity.  It’s Doing what you say you’re going to do.  Acting in a way that inspires trust and confidence.  A great trait for business, but how does it apply to trade shows?  It definitely has a direct correlation and something that can make or break your next show! What is integrity? Definition:  the quality of being honest and having stro...

You have heard that Hybrid Events are our future, but what exactly does that mean? And how do you take advantage of all the benefits of Hybrid Events? Let's ask the expert! Anca Trifan is the founder and CEO of Treefan Events - is a boutique event planning and production agency that plans, designs and produces live, virtual and hybrid events. She has over 20 years experience and extensive knowledg...

Businesses everywhere are now back to planning for their return to live, in-person trade shows, conferences and events.  While this is very exciting, it can also be stressful as it's been a while since many of us have done these. Before the pandemic shut everything down, I would see exhibitors make so many of the same mistakes over and over at these events.  The worst part was that they...

Join this fascinating on-site interview with Jorge Perez, General Manager of the state-of-the-art Puerto Rico Convention Center as we discuss his amazing facility on this tropical island paradise with 500 years of history, culture and tradition! With a sleek, modern design and 600,000 square feet of total space, PRCC is the largest and most technologically advanced meeting facility in the region....

Come Join the Party as we Celebrate our 100th Episode! There's special guests, awesome giveaways, powerful tips, and new opportunities to work together and up your results at future trade shows and events! FREE GIVEAWAYS!! This is Trade Show University so we're going to be giving away BOOKS to help you continue to learn! Just join our email newsletter at tradeshowu.biz to enter! If you are already...