Thing 1

Build long-standing partnerships with suppliers and vendors to create advantageous opportunities.

We usually block around 4,200 hotel rooms but knew we would exceed that for our 100th Anniversary. So we blocked 5,200. They sold out almost immediately; and with our host city having so many events around the same time, we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what are we going to do?’ But thankfully we have great national partners, and they responded in such a huge way. We were able to get an additional 12 hotels.

Thing 3

Invest the time to make sure your partners know (and understand) your goals.

We’ve spent a lot of time developing relationships with our suppliers and vendor partners. That gives them an even deeper understanding of the ACE brand as well as key initiatives like our recent 100th anniversary celebration and market. When they understand and appreciate what you’re trying to accomplish, that gives partners the insight they need to consider, ‘OK, how can I help ACE get to where they want to go?’

Clinton Harris’s 3 Quick Tips for Building Partnerships:

• Reach out to peers and ask for recommendations as a way to build your partner network.
• Say “Yes,” when a vendor asks to meet or take you to lunch. You never know how or when making that connection could pay off.
• If you have a network but don’t feel your partnerships are as strong as you’d like, look for ways to spend time with and get to know your partners — asking them to lunch could be a great start!

Thing 1

The challenge of AI

We are constantly looking at new things to offer more innovation and creativity to our events. AI has a lot to offer us. But how best to integrate it? How best to make our attendees comfortable with it?

Thing 3

Registration

It’s most likely the same for most if not all organizers, but final registration and revenue are always top of mind. Will we hit our numbers? Are we going to achieve goals? Are exhibitors and attendees going to achieve their goals? That’s the life of a show organizer.

Thing 1

Exhibitor experience

Exhibitors are the foundation of our event. Each year, we gather feedback, analyze it, and work to improve their experience. Our goal is to ensure that they have a clear path and our full support
in achieving their event ROI.

Thing 3

A changing industry

The mobile and connectivity industries are continuously evolving. There’s always new technology, new services, new players. Creating an event strategy that provides long-term growth is a constant challenge. Our team recognizes the unique marketplace we deliver events for. We must always be seeking input from exhibitors
and attendees to become a must-participate event.

Thing 1

Value

JD: We are always concerned about how we can deliver more value for customers. We are always looking for ways to guarantee that each customer gets the ROI they’re looking for.

Thing 3

Are we barrier-free?

JD: If a customer is experiencing any friction in doing business with us, how do we eliminate it? Every touchpoint matters. And the younger audiences demand a frictionless experience. So, making this a priority is crucial to our present and future.

Thing 1

Budget

PB: The number one thing on my mind is the budget and the increasing costs of meetings and events. Everything from travel and hotel to the goods and services is skyrocketing. Yes, this impacts ROI. But for us, it’s about the young doctors. We have a lot who are just starting out and they can’t afford to go to these meetings. We do as much as we can for them and want to do way more.

Thing 3

Staffing

PB: One of the biggest things on my mind since returning from COVID is staffing at every level, internally and externally — a lot of people have left the industry. We have new team members we need to train. A lot of our long-term vendor and partner relationships are new. So, that trust you had earned on both sides now has to be rebuilt.

Thing 1

Just start somewhere.

SS: “To be honest the key to being sustainable is doing it. You don’t have to do everything at once. You just have to start somewhere. Ask your vendors and partners what they’re doing to be sustainable. Make sustainability a part of your RFP and contracting process. There are also a lot of great sources online. We’ve partnered with companies like Honeycomb Strategies. Just start. That’s the biggest thing. Small actions make a big difference.”

Thing 3

Walk the walk.

SS: “Taking action is the epitome of Greenbuild. We have some amazing programs, like comprehensive waste volunteer program, sourcing fresh food locally or regionally, and keeping the average waste generation per attendee under 6 lbs. And there are so many more. We plan for the best, check on how things are going along the way and adjust the process to improve what’s not working.”