Originally published in Trade Show Executive, Nov 2014 Issue
WELLNESS. We all talk about it…and preach about it. But how many of us actually practice it? Being a hockey official for many years now, I try to lead a healthy lifestyle, but this can prove challenging when travelling to shows and other countries. I’m sure you are no different!
We’re seeing a trend in the exhibitions and events industry; our attendees and exhibitors want a better and more relaxed experience during shows. We now embrace our attendees and exhibitors as participants – fully engaged with the program from the beginning to the end of the event. We’re striving to alleviate the stress of extended trade show hours and arduous schedules. What our attendees and exhibitors remember is the overall personal engagement and experience from a show. What many don’t see are the subtle changes required to make that experience more enjoyable. At Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2014, we’ve taken great strides to create an atmosphere of meaningful learning and networking that allows participants to take away an entire experience.
The Expo! Expo! Experience
This year’s annual meeting is designed with well-being in mind. Our mindset for this year’s event is to create a well-rounded experience for all show participants. First, we made sure to provide show, education and networking elements each day to keep people engaged and motivated. With our theme GO & BE, we implemented new interactive mega rooms. The GO & BE Renewed, Refreshed and Rejuvenated mega room will include a lounge-like atmosphere to relax and network, charging stations for your mobile devices, tech assistance, refreshments and complimentary massage services. Our additional GO & BE mega rooms will feature trending topics and best practices to implement after the event. We’ve incorporated new principles of learning in all of our sessions featuring smaller group settings for people to engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Furthermore, we’re excited to provide programming with innovative speakers and topics, including a special workshop with Rebecca Katz, Director of the Healing Kitchen Institute (HKI). The two-hour workshop on Tuesday, 9 December is titled Transforming Health Through the Power of Food. This marquee event will delve into brain boosting foods to incorporate into menu planning as well as strategies to work with chefs. The second half of the workshop will include a lunch that takes the lessons learned in part one and creates a real life application and specialized menu folded into workshop content for attendees. We are excited about this special session at Expo! Expo! because it creates a memorable food and learning experience that participants will take back to their exhibitions or events and easily implement.
We are also pleased to provide show-goers with keynotes by Seth Mattison, Founder and Chief Movement Officer with FutureSight Labs on Relationship Revolution: Building Better Connections in the Digital Age and Robert Safian, Editor and Managing Director for Fast Company on How to Thrive Amid Chaos and Lessons of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.
New this year, we’ve got you covered at Expo! Expo! with our SwimUp TECHbar sessions to address the ever changing landscape of technology with trends and applications to make your shows more successful and to provide drop-in tech assistance; Campfire sessions on the show floor with a one-on-one feel and fun environment; and the Meet-Up Pavilion with social themes to get people connected. From programming to special networking sessions and activities throughout the show, we are confident that Expo! Expo! will be the one event that leaves you with food for thought for 2015. I hope to see you at this year’s Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, 9-11 December 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA
President and CEO
IAEE
