Thursday, April 29, 2010

TSNN to fill industry publication void

TSNN hires new editorial staff and will take up the mantle of keeping industry professionals in the know by filling the vacuum left by the closing of Tradeshow Week.

The new site and publication, according to a press release, will include a stable of well-known industry writers and bloggers contracted by TSNN to provide news and develop online content.

Additionally, Tarsus will launch an event similar to Tradeshow Week’s "Fastest 50” event that recognized the fastest growing exhibitions in the U.S. and Canada. The event is scheduled for November 9-10, 2010 at the Hilton Alexandria Hotel in Alexandria, VA. The inaugural award event, the “TSNN Event Excellence Awards”, will conclude the conference on November 10.

TSNN’s list of bloggers includes:
Chris Brogan, author of “Trust Agents” (with Julien Smith), and “Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to Develop your Business Online.”
Stephen Nold, President, Tarsus Advon and founder of the MeetingTechOnline web site and the MTO Summit technology conference. Nold serves as a consultant and speaker on event industry innovations.
Rachel Wimberly, Special Reports Writer, Variety magazine and former writer for Tradeshow Week, The New York Times regional newspapers and CNN Business News.
Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw, a business improvement consultancy specializing in the meeting and conference industry. Lutz blogs at Midcourse Corrections (with Jeff Hurt) and has a regular column on performance excellence in Convene magazine.
Michelle Bruno, President, Bruno Group Signature Events, an event marketing and management firm. Bruno is a freelance industry journalist and a certified meetings and exhibition management professional. She writes about event industry technology and social media at Fork in the Road blog.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Why face-to-face meetings matter

In a recent issue of PCMA Convene, a round up of convention and visitors' bureau leaders was compiled. Several Arizona leaders --- John Cooper (Yakima); Stephanie Nowack (Tempe); and Richard Vaughan (Tucson) -- explained why they felt face-to-face meetings were crucial regardless (or perhaps because of) the economic climate.

Check out what they had to say.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Industry publication closes doors

Tradeshow Week, which offered insider information and advice to trade show and exhibit professionals will cease publication and close its site on April 30.

According to information on the site, "Our parent company, Reed Elsevier, announced in July of 2009 its intentions to substantially exit its Reed Business Information-US publishing business, while retaining specific businesses. Over the past several months, multiple publishing brands were divested.... As a result Tradeshow Week has closed. No additional print issues will be published, and this web site will close on April 30, 2010.
For a full list of the brands that have been closed, the brands that have been retained, and the brands that have sold, please see the Reed Business Information-US corporate web site at http://www.reedbusiness.com/us."

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Meeting, hospitality industry on the rise

According to a report from Ernst & Young's Global Hospitality, the hospitality industry is poised for growth in 2010. The report, "Global Hospitality Insights: Top Thoughts for 2010," analyzed trends in valuation, financing, government, tourism and acquisitions, among other things, and predicts the results will bode well for hotels in the next 12 months.

In the report, Global Hospitality Insights editor Tim Behle wrote, "There are a number of trends that make up the proverbial silver lining for the industry, such as growth in tourism, advancing restructuring efforts and improving fundamentals."

He also wrote that, "While tourism growth and continued debt restructuring will create opportunities for hotels, valuation and financing will continue to create challenges, according to Ernst & Young.

What does this mean to you, as an association leader or a potential trade show exhibitor? The possibility for more attendees at your booth and the idea that the industry may be more open to the continuation of trade shows as a great way to build business.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Welcoming the new CSI President

Kenneth V. Porter, the new president of CSI etc., is the former president and CEO of Concept Convention Services, Inc. a Phoenix based corporation that included offices in Tucson, Phoenix and Albuquerque. Concept Convention Services, Inc. was sold to Dial Corporation in 1995. Porter took some time off and traveled with his wife Marilyn, visiting several countries in Europe, including Italy, France, England and Switzerland. Later on a mission with Young Life, he became involved with a group in Tanzania Africa that set up a school for children orphaned by AIDS. It is now his primary charity.

Porter is currently President of KenMar Properties, a development company that headed up projects in northern Arizona, southern Arizona, southern California and in and around the Phoenix area. The developments included the sale and development of Young’s Farm, the design and building of several custom homes and a land development project in Prescott, Arizona, the 300 hundred acre Sharp Ranch. Porter remains involved in all aspects of the thoroughbred industry in both Arizona and California. This includes the breeding, sale and racing of Thoroughbred horses in both states as well as Europe.

Porter partnered up with several individuals to form Western Paving Company, a Phoenix based company, established and equaled partnered with what is now one of the state’s largest independent paving companies. Porter sold his interest in the company in 2005.

In 2009 Porter met with Karen May and Brent Athon, former employees of Concept Convention Services, Inc., who is now working with CSI etc in Phoenix. Realizing he missed the convention business, Porter elected to re-enter the industry as President of CSI etc . He has a vision for future growth of CSI etc.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Exciting news from the home front

We, at CSI etc., are excited to announce the addition of Ken Porter as the new president of the company.
Ken, a trade show and exhibit industry veteran, brings with him innovative ideas, energy, and extensive knowledge to our staff of talented trade show professionals.
This is an exciting time for not only the trade show industry but for all of us here at CSI.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Getting started in trade shows

You've started a new business or you've started a new job in an existing business -- now what? How do you go about either growing your own, or enhancing your employers, visibility? In a word: Tradeshows.



The ROI on tradeshow attendance may be difficult to measure but attendance at one will certainly garner you a captive audience. Not only will foot traffic pass your booth, but the visitors want to be there, and are likely in the market for... well, whatever it is you have to offer.



True, you do need to set yourself apart either with the decor of your booth or with the giveaways or with advice, but just being there is a start.



Now that you know you need to be at a tradeshow, how do you find one? Here's a short jumping off point:



Biz Trade Shows

EventsEye

and, Upcoming