SOUTHERN PINES — The Convention & Visitors Bureau — Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area (CVB) has been honored with ConventionSouth magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Award. ConventionSouth asked meeting professionals to nominate their choice of destination, convention center, hotel, resort or CVB as the top picks for the South.  This marks the third time the CVB has been recognized by ConventionSouth readers for excellence, creativity and professionalism.  The CVB - Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area was one of only three CVBs in addition to two properties that were named in North Carolina.

“Receiving the Readers’ Choice Award for the third time is truly an honor and an acknowledgement that our efforts are recognized and appreciated by meeting planners,” said Beverly Stewart, director of sales for the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “Our CVB Sales Team makes every effort to provide the highest level of customer service and to insure that meeting planner’s requests are fulfilled promptly and professionally.”

In notifying the CVB of the award, ConventionSouth Publisher J. Talty O’Connor stated, “The value in receiving this recognition is that it comes from the United States’ top meeting professionals who book events in the South. These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have determined that the recipients of ConventionSouth’s Readers’ Choice Awards do indeed display the commitment to professionalism, creativity, excellence and outstanding customer service they require. It is an honor to announce that the Convention & Visitors Bureau – Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area was selected by these planners as one of the best in the South.”

More than 18,000 readers were asked to cast their votes for the Readers’ Choice Awards, and only the top vote getters out of approximately 2,000 meeting sites and CVBs received this recognition. Readers’ comments ranged from the very simple to the very detailed, with some readers even bestowing accolades to particularly outstanding staff members.

For more information on how the Convention & Visitors Bureau - Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area can assist meeting planners, contact Beverly Stewart at (910) 692-3330 x237 or (800) 346-5362 x237.  Also, visit the Web site at www.homeofgolf.com/meetings for other services and information that Beverly Stewart and the CVB Sales Department have to offer.

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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the trade show industry is second only to the construction industry in producing waste.

“This was the big ‘ah-ha’ moment for me,” said Mary Tribble, president of Tribble Creative Group, as she spoke at the Convene Green Alliance Focus Forum on Nov. 3, 2008, at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. “I want to do whatever I can to reverse that.”

The forum, entitled “Plant the Seeds on Going Green,” brought together leaders of the Charlotte, North Carolina “Green Team,” which reported on their many initiatives designed to make the city’s convention center, hotels, and other facilities environmentally friendly.  The Focus Forum was the latest in an ongoing series of events the Convene Green Alliance is offering to the meetings industry free of charge.

The Charlotte Green Team was co-founded by Tribble and Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. More than 80 organizations across the Charlotte area are now members, sharing a common goal to pave the way for improving the environment through sustainable events and business practices.

“This is just a great example of a regional public-private partnership that has made real strides in improving the environment,” said Newman, who appeared with Tribble to lead the session. “We have developed many turnkey ways for organizations meeting in Charlotte to provide green programs to their attendees.”

READ ENTIRE STORY HERE…

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CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — MC2, a global leader in exhibit, environment and event design and production, has introduced a suite of proprietary online tools to help customers identify successful marketing strategies, deliver measurable results and a obtain a greater return on investment from tradeshows and events.

The web based tools, which include Event Marketing Effectiveness Assessment, EventNet, and EventTracker help streamline project development and project management processes and clearly demonstrate the value of marketing programs.

“As a strategic consultant, our goal is to develop creative solutions that extend our client’s brand to targeted audiences.  We interpret and implement their brand strategy into exhibit and event projects,” said Rob Murphy, chief marketing officer, MC2.  “We know firsthand the intricacies of projects both small and large and recognize they require a great attention to detail.  Our online tools allow our account and client teams to store and track all of the project details in one, contained location. This approach streamlines communication, and keeps the project on schedule, which ultimately helps reduce costs.”

Each of MC2’s proprietary web based systems is designed to analyze and forecast the expected ROI for client participation in exhibits and events to develop and manage a successful program.  The assessment and applications can be used independently or as a suite depending on client need and preference.

The Event Marketing Effectiveness Assessment project development tool evaluates information gathered from clients and event management companies they are working with to establish effective exhibit design, optimum staffing, correct exhibit or venue sizes, and budget parameters.  The Assessment tool also estimates the return on investment based on a value set in advance for three payback goals such as revenue impact, cost savings, and value of promotion accomplished through the event.

MC2’s EventNet project management tool aggregates all project details in one central location, giving multiple users, with assignable permissions, round-the-clock access to view, upload, edit, and approve information specific to any project entered.  Features can be customized to meet specific client needs and include a self-administering function that allows clients to manage independent of MC2, reducing online site maintenance costs.

EventTracker provides an efficient way to manage smaller exhibits that are part of a larger tradeshow program by aggregating all of the project details in one location for review and update. Automatic email alerts are sent to each team member when new information is posted or to distribute show agendas to all attending staff members.  Features include self-run reports to track booth and property usage and budget categories, helping clients better manage their costs and return on investment.

"Planning for large tradeshows and events can be challenging to manage all of the project details across several channels and may demand a quick turnaround time for execution,” said Ashling Coletti, show service supervisor, MC2.  “EventTracker allows for an organized approach to managing event programs.  Using this tool, I have found my clients experience improved job performance with greater accuracy and efficiency."


For more information about MC2’s suite of online tools, please contact Caroline Meyers, Director Corporate Communications, cmeyers@mc-2.com.

About MC2 MC2 is a nationally recognized leader in the exhibit and event marketing industry. The company specializes in design, production and management of integrated marketing programs including events, exhibits, permanent and mobile environments and executive briefing centersFor more information about MC2 services and capabilities, visit www.mc-2.com.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y — GLM, a dmg world media business and Whereoware have expanded the Online Catalog Gallery — a visual product finder - to websites for the National Stationery Show, The Gourmet Housewares Show, The Supply Side and the West Coast Gift Shows in Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle, effective immediately. The Catalog Gallery program launched in spring 2008, on the New York International Gift Fair Web site, and generated more than 6,000 leads and received more than 3.5 million catalog page views.

The Online Catalog Gallery, powered by Whereoware's Active Merchandiser technology, allows trade show attendees to browse exhibitor catalogs or brochures at the product level online. It enables exhibitors to show complete product lines online before, during and after a trade show - fully integrated with lead generation and reporting. Based on the Gallery's success this summer, the winter and spring 2009 show cycles collectively are expected to generate over 10 million page views and 80,000 unique visitors to the galleries.

"The Catalog Galleries are effective online planning tools which reflect the unique nature of each market's resources and focus,"said Alan Steel, executive vice president, GLM. "They also extend the life of the tradeshow experience, streamline the product sourcing process and create efficiencies for both exhibitors and attendees." "The Gallery enhances the show, linking prospective attendees to exhibitors at the product level and enabling the connections and show appointments to be made through the easy-to-use lead generator," added Eric Dean, President, Whereoware.

To participate in the Online Catalog Gallery, exhibitors should contact their Show team sales person or Boyd Tasker, Active Merchandisertm, by telephone, at 877-521-7448, extension 501, or by email, at btasker@whereoware.com.

Whereoware is a services-based solutions provider that uses technology and the Internet to help its customers increase their sales and improve their service levels. The company helps manufacturers reach out to new and existing customers by developing a comprehensive web-based solution to streamline and integrate e-commerce, CRM, merchandising, marketing, training and product presentation. Whereoware is located at 1175 Herndon Pkwy., Suite 500, Herndon, VA 20170. For more information, visit www.whereoware.com or call 1-877-521-7448.

GLM, a dmg world media business, is the largest producer and marketer of consumer product tradeshows in North America, serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, surf, skate, water sports, swim and resort. GLM also manages business expositions and conferences on behalf of others, within the hospitality industry. GLM is involved in the production of nearly 30 trade shows in 9 cities across the United States and Canada. Together, these events annually showcase some 23,000 exhibitors in nearly 5 million net square feet of exhibit space, and attract approximately 400,000 attendees. Additional information is available online at www.glmshows.com.

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CHICACO — Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008, The 2nd International Plastics and Rubber Technologies and Materials Exhibition for Vietnam, recently closed to very positive results: some 206 exhibitors from 21 countries and 5,517 attendees from 34 nations took part in the event. Compared to the show’s last staging in 2007, the number of exhibiting companies increased by 80 percent. Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 had a strong international presence which included country group exhibits from Austria, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan.

For the first time, Plastics & Rubber Vietnam was jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, Bangkok Exhibition Services (a member of Allworld Exhibitions) and the local partner VCCI Exhibition Service Co. Ltd.

Both exhibitors and visitors were pleased with their participation in Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008. The majority of the exhibitors praised the high visitor quality and quantity in particular, adding that they plan to exhibit again at the show’s next staging in 2010.

Christian Kiene, Project Manager from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, commented: “Starlinger & Co GmbH has made many good contacts and Cincinnati Extrusion GmbH sold their machine.  Overall, the exhibitors see a future market in Vietnam and will definitely return to participate in the next Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2010.”

Rosoaria Marinaccio, Head of the Plastics & Rubber Machinery Sector at the Italian Trade Commission in Ho Chi Minh City, stated: “We are convinced that Italian technology can find a niche in this fast developing Vietnamese market.  It is definitely not enough to participate just once so we will be back in 2010 to help Italian manufacturers to gain access into the Vietnamese market.”

Prawit Yodprechavigit, Regional Sales Director (South East Asia) of KraussMaffei Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., reported that “KraussMaffei strongly believes that this is the best exhibition to showcase the latest technology and application in Vietnam simply based on the number of enquiries and orders that we received from the industry players.”

“We decided to showcase our machinery at this exhibition after a successful show in 2007.  At Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008, we were able to demonstrate the qualities of our injection molding machines to many potential buyers,” noted David Chan, Managing Director of Arburg Pte. Ltd.

Yasukazu Mino, Regional Sales Manager of Nissei ASB Pte. Ltd., was “pleased to use PLASTICS & RUBBER VIETNAM 2008 as a platform to establish our brand name as a leading injection stretch blow molding machinery supplier.”

“Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 serves as a very useful platform for us to reach out to our existing and potential customers in Vietnam. We made many useful contacts during the exhibition and look forward to participating in the next event,” remarked Patrick Wong, Marketing Communications Manager at Borouge Pte. Ltd.

The next Plastics & Rubber Vietnam  will be held from March 17–20, 2010 at the new Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2010, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit www.mdna.com.

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CHICAGO — Despite the current economic situation worldwide, the organizers of boot 2009, 40th International Boat Show, are confidently looking forward to host the event from Jan. 17 – 25, 2009 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“The international yachting and watersports industry focuses its activities firmly on the Düsseldorf trade fair venue as the center of the European markets. We expect hall capacity to be well used and the showcase to be representative of the international offerings for yachting and watersports. boot 2009 will not, however, remain completely untouched by the worldwide financial crisis and trends towards recession,” said Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, Project Director of boot 2009.

A total of 1,650 exhibitors from 55 countries will present an overview of the global market for yachting and watersports in 17 exhibition halls covering 2.1 million square feet of gross exhibit space. Some 700 exhibitors (40 percent of the exhibitor total) will be from countries other than Germany and will occupy almost half of the exhibit space. Leading foreign exhibitor nations will be the Netherlands, Italy, France and Great Britain.

A new hall concept that responds to requests from the boat and yacht industry as well as current developments in the industry will be implemented at boot 2009. Motor yachts, motor boats and classic yachts will be on display in Halls 4, 5, 9 and 10, close to the large vessels and superyachts in Halls 6, 7a and 7. The Classic Show and steel yachts will be located in Hall 15. Motors, technical accessories, equipment and clothing will be on show in Halls 10, 11 and 12. Water tourism, charters, training institutions, associations and marinas as well as canoes and kayaks can be found in Halls 13 and 14.  Sailing boats and yachts will remain in Halls 16 and 17 while dinghies and multi-hull crafts as well as wakeboarding, surfing and kite surfing equipment will be housed in Halls 1 and 2. The Diving Show boot-Düsseldorf will still be in its old venue Hall 3.

While large dimensions and lavish fittings in motor yachts continue to find international buyers, demand for mid-sized motor boats is more cautious and boot 2009 will reflect these developments. About 1,800 boats and yachts from some 400 international yards and dealers will be showcased at boot 2009.  Around 70 yachts up to 98 feet long will be on exhibit in Hall 6. All together, 250 dealers and importers will unveil motor boats and motor yachts in Halls 4, 5, 6, 9, part of Hall 10 and Hall 15. At the Superyacht Show in Hall 7a and parts of Hall 7, nearly 100 exhibitors - among them the four joint participations by the German Yachting Industry Pool, the French Nautical Industries Federation, the Arab Marine Industry Association (AMIA) and the HISWA Holland Yachting Group - will present visitors with their latest designs, models and services for all aspects of superyacht building. Sailing equipment will be on display by some 150 exhibitors in Hall 16 and 17 while boat equipment, on-board electronics, motors and technical accessories will be shown by 400 exhibitors in Halls 10, 11 and 12.  Information on watersports vacation destinations, boat charter and training courses will be available from 350 exhibitors in Halls 13 and 14.

The Diving Show boot-Düsseldorf with its 350 exhibitors will feature well known equipment suppliers including Aqualung, Balzer, Bauer Kompressoren, Cressi, Camaro, Mares, Johnson Outdoor and Beuchat. In honour of boot-Düsseldorf’s 40th anniversary, Prof. Hans Hass, one of the diving legends and pioneers of the sport, will be at boot to celebrate his 90th birthday, present his books and sign autographs.

One of the boot project team’s goals is to attract new target groups to the trade fair, watersports and the industry in general. “In the future, we will put more emphasis on creating exciting worlds of experience relating to maritime recreation in order to offer both newcomers and boot regulars an informative and entertaining overview of the diversity of watersports,” explained Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel.

At boot 2009, the entire Hall 1 will be devoted to young watersports novices with the Sailing Center and Beach World. Other theme parks will include Watersports on the Move (watersports equipment that can be transported on, in and behind a car), Big Blue Holiday World (watersports and tourism) and the new World of Paddling (canoeing and rowing). In addition, the “Classic Show” will present vintage boats and at the “Galleria boot Düsseldorf” some 30 galleries and artists will display their artworks.

For more information on visiting or exhibiting at boot 2009, visit www.mdna.com.

ARLINGTON, Va. — PMMI will host a record 540 students and 35 faculty members from 18 universities and colleges at PACK EXPO International (McCormick Place, Chicago; Nov. 9-13). Featuring 1.2 million net square feet of packaging innovations and more than 50 conference sessions, the event will double as the world’s largest packaging classroom as it provides students a hands-on learning experience and supports their development as tomorrow’s packaging leaders.

“This year’s record number of students and universities attending PACK EXPO is a testament to the strong relationships PMMI has built with our 31 partner schools,” said Maria Ferrante, director, education & workforce development, PMMI. “Throughout the year, PMMI staff and members of our Workforce Development & Education Committee meet with each school to identify ways the industry can support the development of tomorrow’s industry leaders.”

Each year, PMMI invites partner schools to exhibit at PACK EXPO, the largest packaging show in the United States, and bring students enrolled in packaging courses along with them. Through PMMI’s Education & Training Foundation, schools receive free exhibit space and a stipend for travel and boarding expenses. While on site, students receive guided tours of exhibits, meet with industry veterans, attend seminars and perform various jobs supporting the event, including assisting visitors at PMMI’s Education & Workforce Development booth and Conference at PACK EXPO sessions.

“By highlighting innovation across all aspects of packaging, PACK EXPO provides a unique up-close look at the industry for these students,” said Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI. “Investing in the next generation of talent supports building a skilled and talented workforce for the industry and is a natural extension of our efforts to create industry connections.”

At PACK EXPO, PMMI will also showcase its expanded education program, PMMI U. Options will include e-learning, audience-specific conferences, short targeted courses and certification programs for packaging technicians, available to the entire industry.

In addition, PMMI will showcase the recently launched Career Center at packexpo.com during the four-day event. Since the August 2008 launch, the packaging industry-focused online career center has generated more than 1,000 jobs and 380 searchable resumes. On average, job listings receive 125 page views and three applications.

The packaging sector of the U.S. economy, estimated at $125 billion per year, provides several compelling career options in manufacturing, engineering and design.

PMMI has long supported the future generation of packaging leaders by actively engaging universities and colleges that offer packaging-focused curriculum. With its partner schools, PMMI has taken a leadership role in creating a network that encourages interaction and cooperation among educational institutions, the association and companies that employ packaging engineers, designers, and machinery mechanics and technicians. To date, PMMI has contributed over $1 million in grants, scholarships and financial assistance to support the education efforts of packaging students.

PMMI is a trade association with more than 550 member companies that manufacture packaging and packaging-related converting machinery, commercially-available packaging machinery components, containers and materials in the United States and Canada. PMMI’s vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging, and its mission is to improve and promote members’ abilities to meet the needs of their customers. PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and EXPO PACK Mexico. Learn more about PMMI at www.pmmi.org.

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By Barry Siskind

One pet peeve of visitors at trade shows is pushy booth staff. These are people who think everyone is interested in hearing about their newest product or service. They wait in their booth with the eye of the tiger for an unsuspecting booth visitor to accidentally make eye contact or ask an innocent question. Then they pounce.

The booth staff, on the other hand have difficulty working in a trade show booth when their manager is demanding so much and giving so little to work with.

The quandary is finding a happy balance between being aggressive enough to produce the desired results and being the kind of person visitors want to do business with. The answer is all a matter of attitude. The right attitude at a booth is not as a hard-core sales person but rather as a host.

[CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF SISKIND'S COLUMN…]

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LAS VEGAS — MEET Las Vegas has signed a partnership service agreement with face-to-face event marketing industry leader Freeman to provide future clients with a full range of resources under one roof.

Under the multi-year agreement, Freeman will provide on-site services for corporate events, trade shows, and other clients who use the facility, including a full array of logistics services such as electrical, cleaning, rigging and audio visual support. More important is the strategic and creative expertise that Freeman will bring to clientele who seek out the unique venue for private corporate-branded programs, product launches and other high-end face-to-face marketing events.

"In addition to their expertise at producing major trade shows, Freeman is also an expert in the specific requirements for corporate accounts," said Dan Maddux, CEO, MEET Las Vegas.  "They have been an invaluable resource to us as we developed and refined the design and infrastructure of MEET, and the results will be a very exciting addition to Las Vegas."

With a planned opening in December, MEET is designed to give corporate clients unlimited options, both inside and out. It will feature unlimited flexibility, and will showcase the best and latest visual, audio and interactive technologies. MEET's advanced infrastructure on all floors will allow for customized modifications to the environment through various uses of texture, lighting, sound and color.

 "Because of its unique status as a free-standing, dedicated meeting and event facility, MEET Las Vegas is different from the hotel and convention center models we serve," said Barry Schlossberg, senior national accounts manager, Freeman. "With its unusual design, infrastructure and flexibility, MEET Las Vegas will offer clients a new option as a venue, and we are very pleased they chose to bring Freeman in as a partner."