With the recent launching of Google Plus, the idea of creating customized groups, or circles, from which to selective share content with has become a feature that many users have quickly gravitated towards. Sending information to certain groups while omitting others is quite advantageous, but creating subsets from which to follow controlled content on your own is a great strategy for filter management.

Below are a few “tongue-in-cheek” circles for you to check out. If you’re an exhibit manager, you’ll undoubtedly have created “mental circles” for many of these already.

If you’re a Google Plus user, be sure to add me to your circles. If you’re not on G+ and need an invite, send me an email and I’ll happily get one over to you.

Enjoy.

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Instagram is one of the fastest, most popular social photo sharing services available. With a reported 4.5 million users in its first 7 months, this iPhone app has quickly become a best friend to us “wanna-be-photographers” with its user friendly filters that turn bland photos in to retro-hipster works of art.

With a released API in recent months, there have been a number of developers who’ve extended this service in to other creative applications. I came across Shelly Kramer’s post from V3 Integrated Marketing which detailed one of these many applications and intrigued as towards to possibilities of using Instagram as an interactive, fun and engaging part of trade shows and events.

There are a number of other apps that have made a splash with Instagram’s API that have showcased the limitless possibilities and creativity. There are numerous ones designed to enhance the Instagram viewing experience, but a couple stand out as having fun and interesting potential for use and events and trade shows.

Screenstagram

What is it: As shared by Shelly & V3, this Mac download turns your built in screensaver in to a photo wall streamed from you and your friend’s profiles. A simple setup process displays and transitions images beautifully, in true Instagram fashion.

How it can be used: Engage attendees pre-event and onsite and invite them in to your Instgram circle. Have them take and share photos of each other. Challenge them to a photo scavenger hunt. For trade show exhibitors, having a large display with updated photos is a great way to bring attendees back to see photos of themselves and other users.

Instaprint

What is it: Instaprint brings back the Polaroid days and turns your digital photos in to a remote printing station. Photos are printed based on location or hashtag, making it perfect for events.

How it can be used: What a fun idea for a private event or trade show! Bring the old time photo booth back and let attendees engage with each other or other photo ops you have integrated.

The word “Mobility” is soon to dethrone “Social Media” as the next buzz word – if it hasn’t done so already. By 2014, mobile web usage is expected to surpass desktop web usage. That stat alone should stop you dead in your tracks. As mobile devices continue to evolve and increase, the possibilities do as well. In an event or trade show environment, where desktops and laptops are even less convenient, mobile engagement is a tsunami of opportunity.

What is Group Messaging?

Group Messaging is pretty much as it sounds. Think SMS for multiple people. Group messaging apps like Beluga, Fast Society & GroupMe excel where most native messaging functions in mobile & smartphones are lacking. And if there were any stat any more alarming than the increase of mobile web usage, it would be that of SMS usage. Of the estimated 4 billion mobile phones across the globe, 3.05 billion are SMS enabled, but less than half are web enabled. SMS is a nearly universal mobile language.

One more advantage of Group Messaging over native SMS is the option to use your phone’s data service over your SMS service. Many people are charged per SMS or have capped rates. While Group Messaging can work over an existing SMS service, the ability to use Push Notifications via data (3G, 4G, etc.) is an added convenience.

How is it viable for events?

Unlike Twitter or Facebook, Group Messaging allows you to create a controlled environment for engagement. Where hashtags and groups serve their own purposes, Group Messaging is one less step away. There’s no need to launch an app or interface – instead, the messages are delivered TO YOU – at the top level.

The idea of creating a controlled platform combined with instantaneous conversations is a powerful one:

• Gaming – Organizers and exhibitors can create opt-ins for attendees pre-show and follow up with creative, incentive based messaging during the event. By creating a mobile arena, you have the opportunity to converse and control where they go, who they see and when they do it.
• Internal Organization –  When the lights turn on and your event begins, staff organization often times succumbs to the task at hand. Group Messaging is great for your team members to stay in communication with each other as the hours and days progress with status updates, last minute errands or just friendly photos and encouragement.
• Event “Pods” – MostGroup Messaging platforms allow you to name your groups as you add members to them. For larger events, this could be helpful for attendees to find conversations pertaining to speaking sessions versus the opening reception. Segregating these groups not only helps organize them, but creates opportunities for cross-popluating them with new members.

Are you a Group Messaging adopter? How have you been using mobile devices to converse in groups? What other opportunities do you see with Group Messaging and events?

As we continue to observe the increasing trend in mobile applications to the world of business and the trade show world, we’re happy to announce today that Tradeshow Insight has released an advanced web-app version, formatted for the iPhone, iPad and other mobile platforms. Powered by WPTouch Pro, this “hybrid” between an app and mobile website optimizes our blog and articles in a format that is fitting for the mobile environment and its ever changing landscape.

Some features included in this update:

• Web-App Enabled – Bookmark and use from your home screen. Enjoy a “browser-less” experience, with the latest HTML5 & Javascript technologies.

• Native iPad Use – Touch, scroll and swipe as you would a normal app. You already know how to use it!

• Support for future Tablets – As the “tablet war” grows, Tradeshow Insight will continue to adapt to the newest and brightest of the pack.

• Commenting – Fly in comments make reading and creating discussions a breeze – and fun!

• Real Time – Built on AJAX technology, comments are show immediately after posting.

• App Menu Popups – Browse pages, recent & popular articles along with tags and categories.

• Flickr Integration – Peek at recent photos from the trade show world from within a menu popup – Without leaving your article.

• Smartphone Support – Download the web-app for your iPhone and get the same features – on the go!

• Wide Platform Support – Tradeshow Insight Mobile now supports Android, Blackberry, Palm OS and Samsung touch mobile visitors.

To use a mobile formatted version of this site, simple visit tradeshowinsight.com and follow the on screen instructions to enable the web-app! Then, come back and tell us what you think!!

Very few trade shows stay in one place for very long. Even the events that stay local often times will have a change in venue. While it may seem “business as usual,” no two trade shows are the same. There are a few little, but critical tips to be aware of the next time your event changes locale.

Space Availability – Most importantly, you’ll want to first secure a space that best fits you. Are you wanting to match what you’ve had previously, or is this an opportune time to modify your size and location? Most space selection happens during the previous years’ event, and while there are a number of contingencies that determine priority of selection, a new venue may open up more opportunities to select that desirable space you’ve had your eye on.

Ceiling Heights – Often overlooked, ceiling heights are critical to your existing exhibit. Where a previous 16′ height limit was of no issue at a previous venue, a lower ceiling may force a 12′ restriction and therefore force a modification of your structure or hanging signs. Take note that variances also occur WITHIN a venue. For example – The Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas has a ceiling height of 32′-5″ on the upper floor, but on the lower level, even with the same footprint, the ceilings are only 13′-5″.

Obstructions – Sometimes a floorplan won’t tell the entire story. Between column locations and sizes to sight lines, foot traffic patterns and entrance/exit points, you’ll want to ensure you have a proper understanding of the ins & outs of your new venue and their effect on your exhibit. Using the Sands as an example again, column widths vary from 24″ to 30″ depending on your location. That extra 6″ could determine the difference between a conference room door that opens freely and one that is obstructed.

If you’re unfamiliar with your new venue, speak to someone who is. Obtain photos or video tours of your new space, if available. The nuances and details can often be the largest factors to your size, location and orientation of structure. Note things like strategic stairway entrances from a lower to upper level that make a tucked away exhibit more lucrative.

Labor Rules – While organizers will often develop the partnerships for labor, many of those and other relationships are stipulated by the venue. And it’s often times the smaller, overlooked services that have these variances. Audio/Visual, IT services and furniture rentals are just a few examples of services that can change venue to venue.

Additionally, if your venue makes a leap from one city to another, you’ll want to closely review labor regulations. Along with rate variances, a “Right to Work” status can dramatically effect the way in which you’re allowed to install/dismantle your exhibit, and ultimately effect your total cost.

Shipping/Drayage – When budgeting your services, it’s important not to overlook variances in shipping & drayage. For example, average shipping costs from Vegas to Washington D.C. are 55% more than shipping from Vegas to Chicago. Drayage again varies from city to city, but are substantial to billing. Rates in New York are more than double the rates in New Orleans, and will undoubtedly effect the strategies you wish to combat those differences.

Electrical - While rates will vary venue to venue, you’ll also want to determine HOW electrical is being supplied to your exhibit. Some venues provide power from the floor. Some from the ceiling. Others from nearby columns. Understanding where your cables are coming from will help avoid any nasty eye sores like a giant cable that dangles in front of your newly designed demo area.

Have you recently had a change in venue at a trade show you exhibit at, or do you have one upcoming? What other challenges have you faced or what are you planning to modify as a result of a location change?

(Photo provided by damek via Flickr’s Creative Commons License)

Throughout the evolution of meeting spaces and during the process of event planning, we periodically lose sight of the core purpose of their existence. I’ve learned that even though processes are a necessary part of getting to a goal, misidentifying certain processes often alter the appearance of that original goal. Objectives are the core of any successful project and keeping those objectives pure and unaltered throughout the process and execution is an extreme challenge.

What I loved about EventCamp is that the objectives seemed clear to me: Build a foundation for ideas to build, and let them grow organically. And maybe the most important core objective I saw evidence of…

Relationships

Everything else that drives events is predicated on this foundation. Learning experiences, information and content development, business opportunities. These are all BUILT from the FOUNDATION of relationships. For me, EventCamp was designed around just that – allowing people to feel comfortable making relationships and each brining something to the table for discussions and advancing to their goals.

For me, many relationships had a virtual foundation that existed. I had met about a dozen individuals face to face for the first time after having conversed with them via social networks, etc. for months previously. Beyond that ‘high school reunion’ feeling, I was able to tap further in to the minds and ideas of individuals I wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

What I enjoyed about the layout of EventCamp was that it was simple. Nothing seemed extraneous and there, just “to be there.” Every facet of the event was clearly thought out and had purpose. One of my favorite take aways came from the un-conference mastermind, Adrian Segar when he said to me, “the goal was to design an environment where people feel safe to take risks.”

Beautiful

How better to build a foundation for idea sharing and learning than this? It speaks truest to me, as I classify myself as an introvert. Taking risks requires a little more effort and is admittedly scary for me. But throughout this event I felt compelled to talk. I felt a stir of passionate thoughts and ideas formulate and blossom with similar and varying perspectives from my peers and colleagues. It was evident that a foundation had been laid out for us at each session and it was a spectacular thing to watch each individual “bring a brick” and marvel at the creations, knowing that WE EACH contributed to what was left standing.

We all have variances is how we learn. While some may prefer a traditional approach to the conference environment, for me, a working conference style like EventCamp East Coast identifies when I’m at the edge of a cliff wanting to take a leap, but hands me a parachute and gives me a gentle push.

Earlier this year, Echelon Design sponsored a report that was tabulated by Exhibitor Media Group which outlined the current trends of social media in trade show and event marketing. In June, we released a white paper that highlighted a number of industry expert opinions on these ideas. Today, we’re releasing our first infographic, which is an interesting blend of these findings.

This guide is designed for anyone who is new to social media or looking to apply social media to their trade show or event marketing strategy. It provides an quick and interesting look at some of the most widely used tools and their application and effectiveness in today’s event world. Please enjoy and share your comments with us!

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Social Media in the New Event World Infographic

We’re sincerely honored and thrilled to have Echelon Design and Tradeshow Insight be nominated for “Best Coporate Blog” in this year’s Eventprofs Blog Awards. The nominations included over 40 event blog submissions and includes seven different categories. The winners will be announced live at EventCamp Twin Cities, on September 9.

While we’d LOVE to have your vote, the nomination alone is truly humbling.We’d like to thank everyone who has participated in our blog over the past year. The conversations that are started here are only as good as those who read, comment and share the information, to keep those conversations growing. This nomination is truly in part to having such an amazing community of individuals willing to share their ideas and opinions for continuing progression in the tradeshow and events industry.

So again,

Thank you!!

Something has be weighing on me the past few weeks. Like a knot in the stomach. I’ve been afraid to either admit it, or say it out loud, but a recent post by Dave Lutz at TSNN has given me the strength to come out with it.

Tradeshows kinda Suck.

Yesterday, I was re-reading HubSpot’s Social Media & Business Marketing eBook, and I came across something that startled me.

Ouch. Sandwiched between Telemarketing and Direct Mail in the pit of Interruption based marketing. Is this truly how marketers view tradeshows?

I’m realizing, it’s a broken system we’re in. I’ve been afraid to say it, but if the industry is to survive, this image needs to change. I have increasing conversations with exhibitors that reflect these flaws. I’ve heard this one over and over, “We’re only exhibiting at this show because our competitors are.” Really? Have we watered down and stripped the value of tradeshows so much to the point that the vision of tradeshows, being exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of qualified customers and prospects, has become a mirage to exhibitors? What happens when someone takes a stand and refuses to exhibit? Take the competitor out of the equation, and chances are you’ve lost this exhibitor as well. Let the dominos fall.

The value is fading.

Though I try, I can’t get past the idea that tradeshows are viewed as Interruption based marketing. We’re in the middle of a major shift in which Permission based marketing and advertising is dominating our culture.

Most of us have viewed the famous “Did you Know” video series, which supports this shift away from traditional marketing:

• In 2009, traditional advertising saw a steep decline:
  • Newspaper: -18.7%
  • TV: -10.1%
  • Radio: -11.7%
  • Magazine: -14.8%

While none of these numbers may be directly reflecting of tradeshow industry, the fact is traditional marketing is dying. Stack that up against statistics that show a 2.9% decrease in March, 1.4% decrease in April and 4.0% decrease in May for meeting and convention totals, it makes me believe the proverbial elephant has just entered to room…with friends.

We have a problem.

Regardless, I firmly believe there is an unending value in face to face meetings. A value that can’t be replaced by technology but instead is rooted in our humanistic need for that handshake or look in the eye that helps establish the trust we need to develop and sustain business. I don’t believe the current trends and views on tradeshows are because of a flawed vision for the industry, I believe it’s simply failed execution and lacking adaptation.

The good news is that I believe tradeshow CAN be permission based. Tools like Social Media, videos, blogging and community building are PERFECT for tradeshows. Relationships can now be formed before an event and sustained infinitely beyond it. Instead of being that guy, who looks like a lost puppy dog, waiting for attendees to clammer over his newest product brochure, we can develop networks and communities that support a field of business and use tradeshows and face to face environments simply to extend beyond it. To deepen and solidify those relationships.

Whatever the strategy, another thing needs to change: Universal value. If organizers are the only ones benefitting from tradeshows, why bother? How much long can we leave exhibitors, attendees and sponsors in the dark and expect them to put up with it? A four-sided partnership needs to be developed between these parties and structured to ensure benefit to all. Without one of these “gears” in the machine, the entire thing ceases to work.

Lara McCulloch recently illustrated how the events industry, as a whole, is shifting. She states, “The events industry is changing and our silos are breaking down.” Conference planners, meeting speakers, tradeshow vendors, are slowly being woven together in a world that is shrinking with tools like Social Media. This gives us the power to collectively adapt and make the changes necessary to better our industry. The question is – Are we ready for the task?

Stand together, or die alone.

On the heels of the Fall closing of WSA 2010, comes news of Xsensible winning best exhibit for the under 800 square foot category. This 20′ x 20′ island exhibit was designed and built by Echelon Design specifically for both Spring and Fall WSA exhibitions.

Were you at WSA this year? Please share your photos and/or stories with us!

Below are just a few of the award winning photos of the Xsensible exhibit.

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