I have traveled to Chicago recently and had a chance to see McCormick Place up close and personal and I may get yet another chance to speak at an event there coming up in July.  The Association for Exhibit & Event Professionals is coming up on July 21-23, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.

So what exactly is TSEA?  They have been around almost as long as I have which if you ask my daughter is like an eternity.  Their site better describes them:

"Since 1966 the Trade Show Exhibitors Association has provided knowledge to marketing and management professionals who use face to face marketing to promote and sell their products, as well as to those who supply them with products and services. We provide you with: Education, Advocacy, Promotion, Communication, Service, and member only discounts on a variety of products and services. Our programs, services and publications are designed to help you gain the necessary edge in exhibiting success. TSEA is led by a Board of Directors comprised of your professional peers, so you can always be assured that we understand your needs. Our tradeshow knowledge will help enable you to get the best return on your investment when exhibiting.

TSEA works aggressively on behalf of you, the EXHIBITOR, to insure that your rights are being protected and your opinions are not being ignored. We are the VOICE of exhibitors around the globe."

I want to speak about social media there and did the same or similar talk in Miami at the first of the year.  Chicago is a nice town and I like the facilities there at McCormick Place.  I may even get a chance to stay again at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and that might be the best part.

Tags: TSEA, Chicago, TS2, Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place

YouTube is the number 2 searched or visited site on the planet right now.  I always say that it happens to be right behind Google as the case is, and it must be rough having the first two slots of visited Internet sites, being that Google bought and owns YouTube.  YouTube is a great way to broadcast a message, provide information and a great social media tool for use in your trade show or convention.  I recently spoke at the IAEE event in Miami last year and met Dana Doody of The Expo Group and explained the use of a Flip Camera as a way to take video of your event or trade show and Dana went right out and started using it.  You can see a sample of what Dana is doing in London! Great job Dana.

Tags: YouTube, Google, Social Media, IAEE, The Expo Group, Miami, Dana Doody

I have been wondering recently about public perception about trade shows and conventions being a perk or a "bonus."  We see the public calling for the heads of companies that are giving huge bonuses to their employees, and watching as they go to lavish resorts, etc.

I like the take that Will Ng has at MISoapbox about the recent breaking news of meeting and events being a perk.  He discusses the fact that even a gossip site like TMZ has jumped in with their pitchforks and torches.  This is obviously what is on the mind of everyone these days.  What do yo think?  Is a convention in Miami or Las Vegas or some great destination a perk?  Would it make a difference if the destination was not like a resort?  Chicago in winter, or some other non-getaway destination?  Perceptions are that its a party and even gossip sites are in on the fun.

Tags: Trade Shows, Conventions, Economy

I have been trying to put up with the fact that it is like the North Pole here in Denver today and all the world has come to a screeching halt due to the blizzard we are dealing with here. 

It is not a normal storm we are getting but the one that we call the Blizzard of [add year here].  I can remember the 32 or so inches we received in 1982, and the march storm we received in as close to now as 2006, and today we have 2009.  I yearn for a convention that I must attend in Orlando or perhaps Miami, or even Mexico.  Any takers out there?  Feel like meeting me at your venue for a quick interview?  No really you want to?

Tags: Denver, Blizzard, Conventions, Trade Shows, Miami, Orlando

I recently attended an event in Coconut Grove, Florida.  I’m told I wasn’t allowed to refer to it as "Miami".  I did a live radio broadcast from the event and had a little bit of fun speaking as a presenter, and being in the sunshine and warm weather.  To get a recap of the event I wanted to introduce you to some new friends I met while there, Richard and Jeile. 

Check out the video they shot and recap of the event.  They too can do your event, be it in Miami, Southern Florida, or for that matter anywhere.  They interviewed yours truly as well and you can see it towards the end of the video.

Tags: Go Live Miami, Jeile Marie, Barcamp Miami, Jim Turner, Live Video, Conference, Conventions