Spring 2023 Trade Show Observations, Fall Projections, Thoughts and Tips

Back from vacation! Hope you enjoyed yours this summer. Now down to business!

I for one am extremely excited about in-person events being back in full swing in 2023. Something definitely speaks to my inner extrovert when an opportunity to participate in a live event, in any capacity, presents itself. Can some of you relate? Thanks. I can also hear a few of you sighing as I mentally picture you shaking your head. Admittedly, they are not for everyone. As 2022 rolled on, events surged and the momentum rolled us into 2023. But, how is the live event scene going and what are the expectations for the fall season? Trade Show News Network has some thoughts to share on 2023.

With the return of live events comes a reminder of what their multi-faceted purpose is. Live events are an excellent place to launch a new product or service as attendees are often lured by the thrill of the new. They are excellent at providing a captive, literally and figuratively, audience. Where else can you be exposed to upwards of thousands of potential clients, all in one location, there and ready to hear from you?

Don’t Miss That Opportunity

As I strolled multiple live event halls this spring, I did notice a few items that existed and should speedily exit in my humble opinion. The first odd behavior was a lot of the personnel in the booths were, how should I say, somewhat disengaged. Lots of people were doing work in the booth on a device and many staffers, scrolled their phones. As I walked into the spaces, I often had to advocate for someone to pay attention to me. What?? This behavior could result in a missed opportunity. Teams should strive to be present and attentive. Just saying…

The second observation sort of ties into the first, as I heard many staffers complain openly about being tired and feeling the hours were too long. Have these teams forgotten that event attendance is hard work but the benefits can be exponentially huge? I think many teams have fallen out of practice for events. Time to get back in shape for the fall folks!

Not All Bad News

Aside from the small, correctable hiccups, many booth attendees were exhilarated and extremely positive about getting back into the swing of things! Hospitality events were packed and it seemed that every exhibitor was handing something out. I think socks are the hottest giveaway, as I saw several groups giving out their own branded style of the foot coverings. Kind of cool really with many that were super creative.

Tips For A Smoother Fall Season

A few basic tips for more success and this goes out to the exhibitors as well as attendees.

· Be present 100%. Put your phone away and leave your device at the hotel. You may have to put in a little extra time after event hours, but you can budget for that in your day.

· Engage with others. So many business deals start with a Hi followed by every day chit chat. You can’t do this if you are buried in your phone.

· Are you exhibiting? Stand up, come out of your booth and say hello to everyone you see. You are at the event to win business, create brand recognition, whatever your goals are - so get to it!

· Speaking of goals, have them. I can’t imagine going to an event without real goals.

· Make sure you are getting enough sleep, water and nutrition. However prevalent the social scene is, an event is a bad time to party it up. Your employer is paying you to work and be present for the company.

In closing, hope you enjoyed our 2023 event observations and all the best for a 2023 fall event season. Stay tuned for our next blog! Also, giving a shout out to the awesome team at the Callwood Rum Distillery on Tortola. When you are in the neighborhood, this place is a must visit for all ages!

#TradeShow #EventMarketing #Marketing #Communications #2023Events

Summer Vacation Tips to Ease Your Mind

Ahh summertime! While summer is actually the period between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox, the majority of U.S. workers recognize the period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with Memorial Day being touted as the “official” start of summer. Its’ arrival hearkens to a less hurried pace, warmer weather activities galore, many of which are outdoor related, and the much awaited summer vacation. According to data published April 29, 2023 by the U.S. Travel Association, 63 percent of U.S. adults say they are likely to take a summer vacation this year, up slightly from 61 percent last year. Included are 33 percent who are very likely and 30 percent who are somewhat likely, to take a summer vacation in 2023. With the U.S. worker having on average of 11 days per year, with many having more, it is completely foreseeable that a solid summer vacation can be had by anyone. However, I am completely of the mindset that we should follow the lead of our European friends who have about four weeks of vacation annually. Meh, maybe next year.

Vacation – An Important Component of Compensation

Most would agree that having the ability to take an annual vacation is a welcome benefit of full-time employment, which most employers offer, frequently in the form of Paid Time Off (PTO), as part of a total compensation package. How PTO days are used is up to the employee, however, in part, a good part of them should be used for vacation to rest, relax and recharge, and become a better version of yourself, employee and otherwise.

The Recent Changing Vacation Landscape

In recent years, the traditional vacation has changed a bit. Aside from the, well, do I really have to say the word, the global economic downturn has further impacted vacation plans for the average employee. Today, vacation plans barely remain in positive territory, but as a small encouragement, travel spending was on par with 2022 levels in April, receding slightly from the first quarter of the year. But, data compiled by TravelPulse indicated for many there’s just not enough room in the budget. Not this year anyway. Some 80 percent of Americans say they are changing their summer vacation plans because of inflation, according to online financial advisor Bankrate.com.

Unique Staycation Options

With workers traveling less, many are opting for the staycation, vacationing at and from home, to provide a most cost-effective alternative. More people are finding a renewed joy in the concept of the staycation, taking advantage of local leisure spots, be it the mountains, beaches or lakes, day trips are proving to fit the vacation bill quite nicely. Opting for remodeling home spaces with an inflatable hot tub, freshened up yard furnishings and landscaping, and adding a new grill can add to the home away from home feel and provide a relaxing vacation-like setting. Hosting guests for a large potluck luau, or an old fashioned dog and burger event where yard games bring the action can fill in to provide a fun day off with friends and family.

Tips for Preparing for Vacation for Employees

Whether opting for the staycation or for those having a vacation away from home, unplugging and preparation is equally important. Remember, they goal for both is still the same.

Here are some hints to help with unplugging to get the recharging you need:

· Set your mind to unplugging totally from you job. No emails, phone or calls - you can do it!

· Do make sure you are caught up on your work and current with any project deadlines. Realistically you may want to put in a little extra time before your absence to ensure this is taken care of.

· If you have the luxury to delegate some tasks - do that.

· Converse with your team to make sure all the bases are covered in your absence. This is why you have a team. Creating a team that covers for one another during absences is an awesome thing.

· Set up the auto-responder feature in your email letting people know you appreciate their outreach, are out of the office, but will address their correspondence as soon as possible upon your return. While you are at it change your voicemail message as well.

· At home, make sure devices are charged and stored out of site with ringers and alerts turned off or silenced – out of site out of mind.

· Keep your devices in a room that you never go into, that way they are off the beaten path.

· Actually make yourself a contract where you promise yourself you will not open your devices for work purposes.

· Taking is a step further? Try unplugging totally – no social media, no chat, etc.

Tips For Bosses With Vacationing Employees

There are many things employers can do to make sure the summer vacation scheduling goes off without a hitch. Here are a few to ease the transition.

· Meet with your team and create a shared Outlook vacation calendar with everyone’s schedule, that way everyone is on top of who is in the office and out.

· Make it OK to have meetings, planning sessions and the like, even without key players. This is what meeting minutes are for. Don’t be reluctant to keep the ball rolling.

· Make sure the more important tasks are covered. It is possible to seamlessly accommodate the absences for a short period of time.

· Don’t be afraid to ask an employee to make sure it’s all covered. Asking them if they are in good standing on certain items is OK.

· Don’t be a troll and make people feel guilty about going. Great bosses encourage time off and understand the multiple benefits of recharging.

· Make it possible for your team to truly go an entire period of time without checking in. Who are you kidding? It can and should be done.

It’s OK to Go On Vacation

In closing, vacation time, PTO or otherwise is there, as a benefit of work, with the purpose of having you rest and recharge. Make sure you use it. Make sure you enjoy it! Do you take vacations? Do you prefer a staycation or travel vacation? How many days do you take a year? Let’s chat!

Practical Everyday Business Guidance

Welcome to My Marketing, Communications, Business Development and Other Assorted Topics Blog!

Donna here! Thanks for checking into my blog. I hope that through my blog I will be able to share some of the truly awesome business advice I have learned, and the observations I have made, that truly make great business overall! Not always the gal to color inside the lines, I plan to post some standard items as well as some unorthodox content designed to provoke thought. Uh oh! Don't worry, I promise we will have some fun and it will be useful.

A Nod To The Past

I was mentored for most of my career by incredible, amazing leaders to whom I am eternally indebted. They freely gave of their years of experience, provide appropriate guidance, along with tons of opportunities to learn, grow and fail, and now I would like to pay it forward. I am in no way placing myself on the same level they were and are, but merely adopting the selfless posture of sharing what I know and hoping it benefits someone, somewhere along the line. I was also blessed to be surrounded by amazingly talented colleagues, leaders in many ways themselves.

A Bit of Brevity for Starters

Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle with verbal brevity. So in my writing and business approach, I have cultivated a compensatory approach that guarantees everything else is as short and effective as it can be. My blogs are going to be the same. Even though the average blog is about 2500 words for good SEO purposes, I probably will won't adhere to that. Let's be transparent, does anyone read the whole blog? Um, I don't. So why burn through all that mental energy and time when you can get to the point in half the amount of words an save everyone a lot of everything. One big line off the coloring page there folks!

Thanks

Thank you for checking in. I hope you will come back next week for some Tips on Summer Vacationing and How They Relate to the Workplace! Have a good end of your week!

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