3 of the most stressful things about exhibiting at a trade show… 1- Not knowing what costs are going to be. Solution: Review all information from show and all vendors in detail and early (many provide advance order discounts due to ability to plan better when they have orders early). Encourage the show organizer to […]
What I’ve Learned During My First Year in the Event Industry
What I’ve learned It has been exactly 1 year since the world of expos, booths, exhibitors and trade associations was presented to me. Just two days after starting a brand-new job, I was thrown into the thick of my first event. I began working on a Wednesday morning and was sent to Atlanta the following […]
Too Hot, Too Cold, Or Just Right?
If Goldilocks were a Show Organizer reviewing RFP responses from multiple General Service Contractors she may experience déjà vu. Would she select the GSC that was hot, the one that was cold or the one that was just right? Over the course of my career I have had the pleasure to work for top industry […]
Creative Culture — The Fern Way
Design and Events Design is valuable. It is so valuable that the success of the events world depends on it. Designer Massimo Vignelli said, “The life of a designer is a life of fight. Fight against the ugliness. Just like a doctor fights against disease. For us, the visual disease is what we have around, […]
How to Win A Trade Show in 10 Ways – Part 2
In a previous blog post, I addressed 10 different mistakes that exhibitors make while presenting at a trade show. If you have not read “How to Lose A Trade Show in 10 Ways Part 1” check it out! In this post I break down each point and go over how to fix each mistake. The following […]
How to Lose a Trade Show in 10 Ways – Part 1 (Exhibitor Edition)
Let’s discuss body paint for a minute. (Yes, you clicked the right link!) Not too long ago I attended a trade show in the Business Services Sector. The attendee composition was evenly mixed between professional men and women doing what most do when attending conventions and trade shows…going to educational sessions, networking, and kicking the […]
The State of Event Technology for People in a Hurry
Event Technology in 2017: A Synopsis Apple almost killed templated event apps in 2017. Then they didn’t. But now event companies often need to submit their own apps to the app store instead of having the app developer do it. Lots of new technologies still haven’t transitioned from “shiny new thing” to “sustained value-creator” in […]
Trailblazing Women in Exhibitions and Events
As someone who is heavily involved in and committed to the exhibitions and events industry, I have witnessed great strides of change for women in the last 5 years. From the formation of a new association focused on the advancement and advocacy of women in events to the development of networks and support systems encouraging […]
An Attitude of Service — What Does Service Look Like?
From preparing food at soup kitchens, to education programs, and every volunteer opportunity in between, community outreach can take on many forms. As a member of the exhibitions and events industry, I spend a lot of my time serving others— some commercial and some volunteer. Serving show organizers, clients, facilities, and of course attendees. It’s […]
Corporate Culture — The Fern Way
Ten years ago, this coming summer, I joined Fern as its “leader”. The truth is, the Fern Culture has come to lead me. Culture is an interesting term that is used in countless ways and takes on many meanings, some superficial and some profound. In its most straightforward definition, culture refers to the social norms […]
