Trade shows are a popular way of marketing your brand, connecting with your target audience and capturing new leads.

In order to successfully achieve this however, there are some key questions which you must ask yourself (and communicate to your booth staff in order to maximise your ROI);

1. Who is your target audience?

2. How will you attract them to your booth?

3. What is the one thing you want them to know about your business?

4. How will you communicate this and capture those leads?

5. How will you then follow up this lead and turn them into a customer?

Do you have any other questions that you think are important to consider? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Exhibiting at Your Next Trade Show is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. 7 Reasons To Exhibit At Trade Shows Due to the recent economy, it appears that companies have...
2. 5 Ways To Use Twitter @ Your Next Conference Presentation Twitter and other social media platforms are undeniably changing the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This week TFG hosted our own fund raising / networking event at Strike Bowling Bar, King St Wharf.

It was a great night of fun, with great people and all for a great cause. An excellent networking opportunity, TFG invited clients and friends along for some Strike Bowling, food and drinks.  The purpose of the event was to raise funds and awareness of the growing problem of heart disease in women. Guests were asked to wear something red and were given gift bags with information pamphlets and small token gifts. You can read more about the alarming statistics here.

1st prize for our raffle was kindly donated by the Hilton – a $200 voucher for their restaurant ‘Glass‘. Strike Bowling Bar helped host a fantastic night and we were all impressed by the venues facilities and modern decor…nothing like a typical bowling alley! Rather you feel like you have stepped into a sheek bar or lounge with modern music, lighting and furniture and several seperate areas for bowling, drinking, playing pool and karaoke. The food was delicious as were our mocktails on arrival. The karaoke room was a favourite with modern red lighting, disco ball and a ‘props’ box fit for every music genre.

We think that Strike Bowling Bars are a great venue for staff Christmas parties. Especially considering that Strike can organise a live feed on their big screens, so if you have offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, you can all share the experience together!

We’ve posted some pictures of the night onto our Facebook Page – Don’t forget to ‘Like Us’ if you haven’t yet clicked on the Thumbs Up!

If you would like more information about hosting an event at a Strike Bowling Bar venue, please contact The Forum Group or leave us a comment below.

Strike Bowling Bar – Great Venue For Events is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. Twicketer – Great new, fast, easy, low-cost and secure way of mobile ticketing for events. You’ve got to check out this great new technology –...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

With today’s advances in technology and changes in the economic climate, webinars have made an amplified appearance in the meetings industry. So what are the main reasons why these virtual meeting spaces are so appealing?

Here’s five reasons why;

1. They are Cost Effective

For companies with tight budgets, webinars are an appealing choice. Think about it – there are no venue costs, no catering costs, no a/v costs and no travel costs! That plus the fact that there are companies offering free webinars and trial versions of their hosting software – you can basically organise the event for free.

2. Wider Reach

The recent explosion of online social media will see your webinar shared amongst a wider audience through the power of viral marketing. People can share your content through email, facebook, twitter and blog sites. Provided your content is considered ‘ever-green’, these links will be shared way after the meeting concludes. Geographical reach is also unlimited with webinar’s allowing global visitors to dial in at the same time!

3. Convenience

A big part of why webinars are so appealing is due to its convenience factor – Delegates don’t even have to leave their desk! This means they are getting more valuable time in the office. Webinars also allow delegates to pick which content they are interested in, and re-watch the webinar at any time they like.

4. Get Your Brand Out There

Rather than have one major event a year, webinars enable you to host events every month, fortnight, week…Keep your brand top of mind to your prospects/customers by inviting them to participate in regular webinars with valuable content.

5. Gather Accurate Statistics/ Databases

The data collected through webinars and virtual events could be considered more accurate than physical events as it see’s that every click and every movement is captured. At physical events this is often not possible.

On the other hand – Toga Hospitality conducted a survey that indicated 76% of business travellers think face-to face meetings are key to a successful business, and there’s no denying that virtual meetings will never be able to match that same feeling of physical human interaction that is so important in developing our business relationships.

Yet with companies expected to minimise costs…do you think physical events are necessary, or should companies be meeting virtually?

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.

Webinar vs Face To Face For Event Management is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. Event Planning Made Easy – Event Planners use Yuuguu Event Planning has never been made easier with this great...
2. 5 Free or Low-Cost Sneaky Online Tools to make your Event Management Planning Easy So you’re a corporate event manager or PA working on...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

A huge trend that we are seeing at the moment is the use of videos to promote event speakers and their sessions. Long gone are the days of reading one page biographies and hoping that a session will meet your expectations. Now your audience can see, hear and experience your speaker with the simple click of a button, in a much more engaging and interactive way than ever before.

So what are the other added bonuses of communicating to your potential delegates in this format? Here’s 4 good reasons;

1. By experiencing a speaker first hand (even if it is only a short 30 sec video), delegates will be much more inclined to register and attend your event. It will ensure that there is the right fit between your speaker and the audience, and is a great tool for helping delegates select which sessions they would like to attend.

2. Keeping up with the latest technology implies that your event will also have this same forward thinking. It adds a fresh perspective to the traditional format.

3. Social media/viral marketing enables delegates to post and ‘like’ your speaker video. This powerful use of the internet means that any social media action spreads to your delegates friends, and then their friends friends, and on and on it goes. You can post the videos to websites, blogs, newsletters, emails…allowing you the ability to expand your potential audience by multitudes! This can help create a HUGE buzz pre-event.

4. Use this buzz as a draw card for sponsors and major partners. Help build a community which can be carried though to the event and even continue post event as well. People want to be a part of what everyone else is talking about – and if this is somehow linked to your event then you have some great marketing and PR opportunities!

Click here to see the speaker video from our friends at Ovations!

Do you prefer this method of advertising your speakers pre-event? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

4 Reasons to Create Videos That Promote Your Event Speakers is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. What Everybody Ought To Know About Social Media In Marketing We keep hearing about social media. Twitter this and Youtube...
2. 5 Ways To Use Twitter @ Your Next Conference Presentation Twitter and other social media platforms are undeniably changing the...
3. 7 Reasons To Exhibit At Trade Shows Due to the recent economy, it appears that companies have...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Exibitor Magazines’s ‘2010 Economic Outlook Survey’ indicates that 33% of exhibit managers plan to cut staff travel and accommodation costs this year. With many companies still recovering from the GFC, sticking to budget has never been more crucial. So how can companies look at minimising these travel costs? Candy Adams suggests the following ideas;

1. Recruit staff/products from the local area – minimise the cost of airfares, accommodation and freight.

2. Book hotels with complimentary breakfast and transfers - for staff that do require accommodation, look for hotels that offer complimentary breakfast and transfers (or otherwise have a partnership with a preferred supplier that can get you a discounted rate).

3. Rent a car for your staff - this may work out cheaper than paying for taxi’s and transfers. It’s also preferable and convenient to have your own means of transport and be able to go to and from the exhibition should a situation arise, for example if you need extra supplies for your stand.

4. Organise group meals and buy groceries for your team – hotels and restaurants will undoubtedly be much more expensive,  and the last thing you want is your staff leaving expensive bills on your desk when you return back to the office. Group meals are a great way for the team to bond and communicate throughout the event. Exhibitions often involve long hours and can be very tiring. By stocking up on supplies, your team will appreciate having snacks readily available and the ability to be able to eat their dinner quickly and have more time to sleep/unwind.

5. Negotiate hotel rates – ask the venue if they can offer you a discounted rate for booking several rooms.

Do you have any further ideas on how you can cut travel costs at your next exhibition? Leave a comment below.

5 Ways for Exhibitors to Minimise Travel Costs is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. 7 Reasons To Exhibit At Trade Shows Due to the recent economy, it appears that companies have...
2. 3 Ways for an Event Manager to Create a Grade A Event with a Grade C Budget So you’re an event manager, and your client approaches you...
3. 9 Ways for Event Organisers to plan events on a Shoestring Budget When you want to have a great event, but you...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Smart phones (iPhone, Blackberry) have become platforms for the meetings and events industry.

Wireless broadband and advanced web browsers mean that delegates can now access multitudes of information at their fingertips.

Web developers have created numerous applications dedicated to the events industry with the following capabilities;

• Display real time schedules and maps (www.motivas.com)
• Browse through speakers bio’s (www.visiontree.com)
• Download digital coupons/brochures/notes (www.eventkaddy.com)
• View online agenda’s (www.quickmobile.com)
• Integrate with social media platforms (www.zerista.com)
• Exchange contact details (iPhone app – ‘bump’)
• Navigate yourself through an exhibition hall (www.core-apps.com)
• Liaise directly with hotel concierge via your phone (www.runtriz.com)
• Poll the audience or send questions to the speaker (www.polleverywhere.com)

So why else should you embrace mobile applications?

• It eliminates paper! More and more clients are listing sustainability as an important component of their events. By integrating the use of mobile applications, you are keeping the event green.
• It has massive sponsorship opportunities – sponsors will appreciate the large exposure
• Improved customer experience – It’s interactive and in real time! Mobile apps create convenience without having to shuffle through papers and conference booklets.

What we are seeing is a significant force that could potentially change the entire events industry. Will you be moving your company toward the adoption of mobile applications for events?

Leave us a comment with your thoughts below.

Mobile Applications For Events is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. Twicketer – Great new, fast, easy, low-cost and secure way of mobile ticketing for events. You’ve got to check out this great new technology –...
2. 5 Ways To Use The iPad For Events The media feeding frenzy around the newly released Apple iPad...
3. 4 Reasons to Create Videos That Promote Your Event Speakers A huge trend that we are seeing at the moment...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Due to the recent economy, it appears that companies have become more hesitant towards the idea of exhibiting at trade shows. Everyone is tying to do more with less – so the idea of spending money on a booth, taking time out of the office, developing handouts and giveaways and training staff…can all seem like too much effort and not to mention…an unnecessary cost.

Well – we think that trade shows are worth the effort and cost!

Here are 7 good reasons why;

1. Greater ROI – Bottom line is that trade shows help you generate leads and sales. Yes there is an initial cost, but you are more than likely going to generate more leads from being at a trade show for a day, then you would spending a week in the office making sales calls.

2. Suss out the competition – Trade shows are a great way to see exactly what it is your competitors are offering. Ask yourself: what are they doing right? What are some clever marketing strategies that other booths are implementing that our company can incorporate?

3. Introduce new employees to the industry/train your new employees – Trade shows are a fantastic way for your new employee to gain an understanding of the market, interact with customers and gain a thorough knowledge on your companies’ product and services. It’s also a great way for your new employee to build relationships with the team and within the industry.

4. Become friends with the press – Keep your eye out for anyone wearing a press lanyard/badge and invite them to your stand and have a chat. See if you can swap business cards and make some new contacts for future publications and press releases. Make your company or brand known – generate some publicity.

5. Build a following – Trade shows are a great opportunity to invite customers to subscribe to your blog or newsletter. Or alternatively, why not set-up an internet kiosk and ask people to ’like’ your page on facebook or follow you on twitter. This is an effective way to start building a highly targeted list.

6. Customer interaction – Add some credibility by having a customer service area within your booth. Talk and interact with customers and ask for some feedback – what works, what doesn’t? What can you do to improve? What would they like to see your company do?

7. Find partners and form alliances – Liaise with other exhibitors and look out for any potential partnerships. Trade shows are a great way to see other suppliers in action and see how they work as a team, what they can offer, how well they execute themselves and whether you would be able to work well with them in a strategic partnership.

What are your views on the value of exhibiting at trade shows? Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts/experiences.

7 Reasons To Exhibit At Trade Shows is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Exhibiting at Your Next Trade Show Trade shows are a popular way of marketing your brand,...
2. 5 Ways for Exhibitors to Minimise Travel Costs Exibitor Magazines’s ‘2010 Economic Outlook Survey’ indicates that 33% of...
3. 4 Reasons to Create Videos That Promote Your Event Speakers A huge trend that we are seeing at the moment...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We went to a great networking breakfast this week at Ivy and was inspired by some very young and very talented in-touch-with-it speakers who spoke about how to ‘Flip Your Thinking’ and ‘Collaboration’ to be successful in the world of business today.

I heard Peter speak some 6 years ago (he was probably 23 at the time) and he opened my mind to the world of Gen Y and how to work with them, not against them. Peter now talks about ‘Flip’ which is about how innovation and change is affecting big businesses today.   He addresses three key questions: How is the business changing? How are the brands changing? and how do we market differently? His next wave is about Execution – how to get good staff to get stuff done in your business.

Check out this 5 minute video our friends at Ovations put together with Peter Sheahan.

Click here to view video

The great thing about getting Peter to speak at your next event, is VALUE.  Peter extends to his clients a 12 month E-Learning program post his presentation and he updates his stuff all the time so you know that you are getting the latest and greatest in valuable information.

Call us (+61 2 9518 1142) if you are interested in getting Peter to speak at your next event.  We’ve got a list of his dates for 2010 and 2011 and when he’ll be in Australia and the USA.

Leanne

Flip Your Thinking is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. 4 Reasons to Create Videos That Promote Your Event Speakers A huge trend that we are seeing at the moment...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

If you want to create an event to remember, then forget classic backdrops and standard props. It’s time to start incorporating unusual artistic elements to your event, which are more likely to create a ‘wow’ factor, and get your guests talking!

Here are TFG’s top 5 ideas;

1. Spell it out Spell out a brand name or some simple key words that relate to your event, using unique items that make a direct association to that word. Eg. Red Cherry – made of cherries, JC Penny – made of pennies. Mount to walls or add to table tops for branding that is a little more artistic then your average pull-up banner.

2. Create a unique structure Segregate areas and create unique spaces by using materials such as intertwined rope or sheets of bubble wrap. The key here is to do it on mass. This will add some serious artistic flair to your event and will work logistically as well.

3. Centrepieces made of unique objects Think of unusual items that are different to your typical floral centrepiece. Antique telephones, paint tins, spare parts are some examples of items that are a bit more creative, and are likely to be more cost effective as well! Just aim to keep the items related to the event somehow.

4. Serve canapés in unique objects Old briefcases, medical kits – the possibilities are endless! Pair up with some roving actors and wallah! An artistic theming masterpiece!

5. Sculptures A large sculpture at the entrance to your event can create a striking effect! Choose a sculpture that somehow encapsulates the theme/brand of your event and watch as all the guests get a photo standing next to it! This adds to the fun, the theming and provides your guests with a memory they will cherish for long after!

Feeling creative yet? Comment below and share your ideas on how to incorporate art into the theming of your next event.

Photos: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Events With a Difference: 5 Ways to Use Art to Theme Your Event is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. 6 ways for Event Organisers to Get Attendees to Events When you plan an event, you want to make sure...
2. 3 Ways for an Event Manager to Create a Grade A Event with a Grade C Budget So you’re an event manager, and your client approaches you...
3. 9 Ways for Event Organisers to plan events on a Shoestring Budget When you want to have a great event, but you...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So you’re an event manager, and your client approaches you with this fabulous idea for their event – they have a vision – of theming, venue, entertainment ….and it all sounds fabulous…you ask them what the budget is…and all of a sudden the reality that there is no way they can afford this vision becomes evident, yet the client does not seem to understand this reality…

They want their vision – and you have to produce it – whatever that budget (or lack of) may be.

So what do you do? Besides go into panic mode and scream how!? Take the time to think logically about cheaper alternatives – that could possibly create a similar result!

Here a few ideas that TFG have used – and have worked!

1. Use student volunteers – never under estimate the skills of students that are passionate towards their areas of study. For example performing arts high schools are great for recruiting entertainment – whether it be dancers, singers, bands, or roving actors. They are at those schools for a reason – they have talent…that along with their passion, dedication and professional training, means that you won’t be disappointed. Eg. McDonald College – they are the performing arts stars of tomorrow, so why not recruit them while they are free…five years time you may be paying $20,000 for the same performance!

2. Use food for theming – regardless of your budget people still need to eat – so why not combine this with your theming to minimise cost! You can create simple yet stunning centrepieces with fruit, have a colour theme such as only orange desserts at a Halloween party, or serve only seafood at an under the sea themed dinner! Eg. Summer of Love Dockside party used succulent, refreshing berries in tall glasses which reflected summer, but also created a beautiful display.

3.Use lighting – strategically positioned lighting can add a professional touch to any event – simply adding coloured lighting can totally reinvent a space and create a dramatic ‘wow’ factor. Simple effects can make a significant impact! Ever heard of the saying ‘smoke and mirrors’?

These are just a few ideas of how you can create a grade A event with a grade C budget, but if you really think about it – the possibilities are endless. The bottom line is, if you are a truly professional event manager you can deliver an amazing effect for any budget!

Share your ideas here on how you’ve created a grade A event on a grade C budget.

3 Ways for an Event Manager to Create a Grade A Event with a Grade C Budget is a post from: THE FORUM GROUP - Event Management Australia

Related posts:

1. 9 Ways for Event Organisers to plan events on a Shoestring Budget When you want to have a great event, but you...
2. Events With a Difference: 5 Ways to Use Art to Theme Your Event If you want to create an event to remember, then...
3. 4 Ways to Ensure your Event Planning will go as Intended When planning and event, you want everything to go accordingly....

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.