mdg | Event Marketing Agency for Trade Shows and Associations

We’ve learned that change is constant and that agility is key to survival. And for me, personally, these changes have necessitated the unlearning of a few basic truths that once informed my approach to event marketing.

We often talk about the power of storytelling and making emotional connections with our audiences. One event marketing approach that maximizes the power of both of these is using testimonials.

As event marketers, we are often guilty of focusing so myopically on our own trade show or conference that we forget there’s a whole world spinning around us. As an account strategist, I find it very important to thoughtfully incorporate current events, trends and news into client communications.

Last month, thousands of association professionals united in Toronto to learn, network and gain inspiration from each other.

When attendance doesn’t quite meet expectations, who better to question than ourselves, asking why we would or wouldn’t attend our own event?

When we forget about these emotions, and the ability they have to compel participation at our events, we have a tendency to place too much emphasis on how many square feet of space our show floor covers, the number of educational sessions we offer, our 50th anniversary year and/or other features that do very little to convert our fence sitters to registrants.

On May 30, more than 200 event industry executives gathered at Sam Lippman’s ECEF in Washington, D.C., to glean inspiration and share ideas. As a proud event sponsor, mdg was there, eager to take it all in. In case YOU weren’t there, don’t worry, we took notes…

In my opinion, SXSW is the gold standard when it comes to events. It’s the perfect combination of pop culture, innovation, and inspiration that attracts thousands of movers and shakers from across the country and around the world in marketing, tech, music and film. Here are four of the many applicable event-marketing lessons that I learned from my experience this year…

From personalized online styling services like Stitch Fix to Amazon suggesting items to purchase based on your previous shopping history, our world is becoming more and more personalized. This personalization allows products, businesses or brands to build a relationship with prospects and customers. Recently, mdg has begun applying this approach to building personalized relationships with event attendees for our clients through customer journey maps.

Sunny California was host to IAEE’s Expo! Expo! last month and, as expected, the event was full of innovation and bright ideas for event marketers. The “show for shows” sparked provocative conversations, facilitated new connections, and presented industry professionals with inspiration for 2017. mdg‘s employees, clients and friends have shared a few of their favorite takeaways…