Touch Panel Kiosk

So you have convinced management to get rid of those binders and rent iPads for your next meeting. The sponsorship opportunities are abounding, and the attendees are excited to be using them. But what about the applications? Below are 4 applications that can get you started on selecting an app that's right for your event.

ChirpE Mobile and Social Media Platform

This web-based mobile application from a2z, Inc. includes the following features:

• Full conference agenda
• Personal agenda building
• Event alerts 
• Exhibitor guide for the trade show
• Exhibitor floor plan
• Social Media integration with LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and RSS Feeds.

In addition to iPads, this application can run on computer kiosks. Because this application is web-based, all devices at the conference will simultaneously update.  “For example, you can add an exhibitor to your agenda using ChirpE from your iPad and stop at a kiosk on the show floor and the update will appear simultaneously on all devices,” says Rajiv Jain, CEO of a2z, Inc.

EventKaddy

This native application includes the following features:

• Full conference agenda
• Personal agenda building
• Event alerts
• Attendee networking tools
• Interactive exhibitor floor plans and maps
• Multimedia exhibitor listings
• Digital brochures

EventKaddy has been used at the following conferences: Western Veterinary Conference; Autodesk; ACMSIGGRAPH; Electronic Security Expo; Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum.

QuickMobile

This web-based application includes the following features:

• Full conference agenda
• Personal agenda builder
• City guide, with Frommer's integration
• Search capabilities, within the app, for attendees, speakers, or exhibitors
• Social Media Integration with Twitter, Facebook, and Pathable

QuickMobile has used the iPad application at the following conference and events: The PhoCusWright Conference; ASHRM Phoenix Conference; GBTA Convention; SAP Sapphire Now Conference; Cruise3Sixty Meeting; Hilton Worldwide Owners Meeting.

Zerista

This web-based application includes the following features:

• Full conference agenda
• Personal agenda builder
• Attendee directory with personal profiles
• Attendee matching based on experience and interests
• Social Media integration, including Twitter and Facebook
• City guide
• Exhibitor directory
• Booth locator
• Floor plans

So when choosing an application, what are some of the factors to consider?

1. You need to decide whether the application should be web-based or native. There are advantages and disadvantages to each one, but primarily the web-based solution allows for last-minute changes before and during the conference while native applications cannot be changed once the code is on the iPad. With a web-based solution, you will need to take a serious look at your Wi-Fi at the venue and perhaps rent a network array to boost the Wi-Fi bandwidth. 
    
2. Determine your budget impact. Each of the apps listed above are going to have a different price point to develop the app and support it during your conference. Know all your costs up front and the timeline to develop your custom solution. 
    
3. Get your attendees, exhibitors, and speakers involved in the decision. Don't make this decision in a vacuum. Get as many people involved as you can in the demonstration of the app and solicit feedback from all stakeholders on what features are most important to them. 

Are you event planning in California? AV Event Solutions has a large selection of 1st and 2nd generation iPads, touch panel kiosks, and Wi-Fi network arrays for your next meeting. Give AV Event Solutions a call today!

Great news! You won a large contract for a corporation or association annual meeting. You and your team are very excited to be working with this client, but when the event is over, what can you do to remain in the forefront of the client's mind?

Try these 6 simple tips to keep them coming back to you, year after year, event after event.

Tip #1: Really Get to Know Your Client. 

You know that age old adage, "We do business with people we know and like." How well do you know your client? Are you conversant with different levels of the team or does your business relationship rely on just one person? It is dangerous to build a long-term relationship with one person because that individual could retire, get fired, or quit. Get to know as many individuals on the management team as possible and keep those relationships going throughout the year.

Tip #2: Keep a Running File of Their Accomplishments.

Read trade publications and local and national newspapers your client might be mentioned in. Google their company often. Follow them on Twitter. Either mail or email them any mention of their company or key people in it. Enclose a business card with a brief note saying congratulations or great job. Everyone wants to have people take notice of their accomplishments, including your clients, and it helps keep your organization "top of mind".

Tip #3: Suggest Ways They can Make Their Event Better.

Maybe you noticed the registration area was really crowded and it took attendees a long time to check-in. You could suggest  renting touch panel kiosks for self-service check in, thus freeing up staff to do other things. Perhaps attendees were having a hard time juggling their binders and the session locations were confusing. Suggest they rent iPads and put all the event materials on the system with a map that includes GPS. Whenever you present these suggestions, make certain to have the cost/benefit analysis completed. 

Tip #4:  Ask for More Business. 

Chances are if your client is holding an annual meeting, they are also holding several smaller meetings. If you feel they are very happy with the work you have completed for them, don't be shy in asking for more business.

Tip #5: Be a Team Player. 

Try to solve whatever issue is at hand. Good communication skills rest on coming up with good alternatives, not finger pointing or blame shifting. Something is bound to go awry at the event, so jump in and see how you can help.

Tip #6: Always be Ethical. 

It doesn't matter if you do all the items above with ease, but if you lie or misrepresent your offerings, you can kiss that business good-bye. Part of developing long-term business relationships rest in the development of trust. Be honest, even if it means you lose a job. Clients will remember your integrity, above all things.

Are you event planning in California? Contact AV Event Solutions for all your technology needs! Give them a call today!

BizBash Magazine ran a story called  "The 14 Most Innovative Meetings" in their Spring 2011 edition. Lets highlight 3 of the 14 events, with an added twist, of additional interactive technology tool rentals that can be integrated into the meeting from your AV provider. 

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC

In August 2010, Boston Scientific gathered 5,000 employees together for an interactive, participant-driven meeting intended to communicate the company's vision and value to the group. The first thing they did was make all senior management available to attendees to answer any of their questions. Before the meeting, they invited employees to ask their questions via an online community. At the meeting, they could submit questions, comments, or ideas via computer stations. They also created fun activities including a scavenger hunt. They surveyed the employees and at the end of the meeting, 73% said they were optimistic about the company's future. 

Meeting Planners can build attendee engagement in the same way as Boston Scientific by doing the following:

• Rent iPads to allow interactivity between attendees and key management through Twitter, Facebook, or Flickr. Attendees can also ask questions or make comments during the meetings via a Twitter feed and all comments can go into a designated place via hashtag (#name of event).
• Computer Kiosks can serve as an input tool for new ideas and allow attendees to view video presentations after they are over, at all times during the conference.  
• Wireless Audience Response Systems allow employees to answer survey questions quickly and management can compile the results instantaneously. 

THE NATIONAL CABLE & TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION

This 3-day annual meeting dubbed "The Cable Show" provided their 13,000 attendees access to the 152,000 square foot trade show floor plan, exhibitor materials, Twitter feed, agenda, and information on the speakers and sessions on mobile devices. The results: 19,000 requests for exhibitor information, new sponsorship opportunities for the association, and a huge reduction of paper. 

Meeting Planners can integrate mobile technology -- rent Tablet PCs or iPads -- with custom trade show floor applications that can even have GPS installed to get the attendee to the right booth! Social media applications, agendas, and speaker bios and videos are all applicable uses of a tablet. In addition, tablets have a long battery life and can be used while walking around on the trade show floor.

IBM

IBM hosted a 5-day conference in January 2011 and decided to build a social media aggregator to pool the content of various forums into 1 online page which served as a place to broadcast videos from the 3 keynote sessions and interviews with the speakers. They also gave attendees flip cameras to video things going on around the conference and uploaded that onto the page. IBM had 5 social media cafes with large touch-screen monitors where individuals could send information directly to their email accounts. 

Meeting planners can work with a developer to build out their aggregator and allow attendees to see content on a touch panel kiosks and/or large high definition plasma displays. The event can also have social media cafes complete with tablets, laptops, and touch panel plasmas. 

AV Event Solutions can provide your next meeting, event, or trade show with state-of-the-art technology which includes iPads, Tablet PCs, Laptops, Plasma TVs, Kiosks and much, much more! Give them a call today for more information on how they can make your event exciting and interactive. 

Your RFP is set and you are about to send it off to the Audio Visual vendors of your choice. It is the same template you have used for years, so why fix something that isn't broken, right? Wrong! Today's RFP needs to address the more technical (gulp!) requirements involved in your event. For every layer of technology you add to the event, there needs to a fast, robust, and secure Wi-Fi network at its backbone. Here are the questions and information you need to gather in addition to your standard "dates and rates" information.

• Let them know how many wireless devices will be accessing the Wi-Fi. It is vitally important that you survey your attendees and ask if they have a smartphone, are bringing their laptop to the conference, and add in what event audio visual rentals you are going to have. Computer Kiosks, iPads, Tablet PCs, laptops, and smartphones are all going to want access to the network. And don't overlook your exhibitors, staff, and speakers. By knowing this number ahead of time, you will know whether or not you need to rent a Wi-Fi booster for additional access points and to boost your venue's bandwidth.
   
• Explain how each device will be used. If you rent iPads, will the applications be native or web-based? Will every mobile device have full Internet access for emails and social media? Will the kiosk rentals have Wi-Fi access? All of this will impact the network and various "peak load times" will need to be planned for.
   
• Ask the vendor to share with you similiar references to your event. Comparing an event with 50 attendees is very different than one with 500. After you share your device data (see bullet points above) with the vendor, ask them to share events that they have managed with similiar amount and types of connections.
   
• Ask to see post-event attendee surveys from previous meetings. This is probably a good standard with any RFP, but especially one where Wi-Fi connectivity could make or break the attendee experience. Ask them to explain any negative feedback on the survey.
   
• Ask how the interactive tools and network will be supported. If a touch panel kiosk doesn't function what happens? What are the measures to monitor traffic on the network? Where will the support team be and what are their credentials? All important questions as you look to keep everyone online, all the time, during the conference.
   
• Do your own homework. Google the company, check their website, ask about them on Event LinkedIn groups, and search for user reviews. Credible reviews follow the "80/20 rule". If most of the information is positive, but it is sprinkled with some negative comments, look into the comments but don't let that make you eliminate the vendor.

AV Event Solutions is ready and available with state-of-the-art audio visual rentals and Wi-Fi network arrays. Give them a call today to learn more about their unique product offerings and fantastic technical support!

On Monday, we covered the interactive technology tools meeting planners can explore and use from A to M. Today's blog is dedicated to the latter half of the alphabet, N to Z.

This is going to allow mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to communicate with each other when they touch or are only a few centimeters away. It will be used for business card exchange, credit card payments, and distribution of conference materials and brochures. A fast and secure Wi-Fi Network Array will be the key to implementation of this technology.

Having AV technicians onsite will enable you to keep the event going, if there is a product malfunction or a light or battery needs to be replaced. Onsite support also ensures adequate testing has occurred and provides for fast strike time, if needed.

Flat panel Plasmas are great alternatives to the standard screen rentals. They provide high resolution and can be strategically placed throughout the conference.

These little black and white pixels make up Quick Response (QR) codes which are a great way to disseminate information to attendees. They are scanned by smartphones or tablets.

These high-quality devices can capture the presentation, quickly transfer the recording to an USB drive, and allow for uploading onto the company website for future reference.

There are many screen options including tripod, fastfold, and widescreen fastfold. An experienced AV supplier can help you choose the right screen for your meeting.

Rent Tablet PCs, which are in high demand because they are lightweight, have a long battery life, and have a multitude of applications that can be easily preloaded onto the device.

Regardless of how small or large your meeting is, you will need a LCD Projector and Screen rental, quality sound, and adequate lighting.

Providing video on computer kiosks and iPads will bring any presentation to life quickly and effectively. Video can also be used at the trade show booth level and provide a more memorable and professional presence for sponsors.

Having Wi-Fi at a venue is different than providing it in a fast and secure network for 500 or 1,000 attendees. Utilize AV Event Solution's Wi-Fi checklist to make certain your network will be lightning fast!

Does your event have energy, buzz, and entertainment value? Providing this can give your event positive energy and can be created through sound and lighting rentals.

Posting some of your event video on YouTube is a great option, especially if you are looking to go viral in the process.

Yes, once in a blue moon, the equipment will break down or the sound system will go silent. But with qualified AV technicians and project management support onsite, any bump in the road can be readily resolved. Because great AV providers test and maintain their equipment, it is quite rare to see a problem during an event.

Have you ever wondered what technology tools are available to help make your next conference or event run smoother? Be more interactive? Or what cool applications your attendees would like? 

Below is a creative reminder of just some of the planning and technology offerings, from A to Z. This blog will cover A to M. Wednesday's blog with provide ideas from N to Z.

AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEMS

Wireless Audience Response Systems are handheld devices given to all attendees to answer multiple choice questions about a speaker, topic, testing questions, or for voting purposes. 

BUMP

This application works on smartphones and the iPad and allows attendees to share photos, apps, music, and contact information with each other through a gentle bump of the devices.

COMPUTER KIOSK

Computer Kiosks have many applications including self-service event check-in, virtual concierge, speaker bios, videos, and sponsorships. 

DIGITAL SIGNAGE

Interactive Kiosks can direct attendees to meeting rooms without the expense of printed signage. They can also be changed in a moment's notice if meeting room changes occurs. 

EVENT PLANNING SERVICES

Most full-service event planners now incorporate technology into their event proposals to cut down on printing and shipping expenses, as well as, providing their clients with greener alternatives.

FOURSQUARE

This application allows attendees with smartphones to check-in their location and let other attendees know where they are. It is great for scavenger hunts and provides more interaction between participants.

GAMIFICATION

This is the use of game technology to engage attendees through video game mechanics. It can be used to train employees, team build, or at product launching events. If you rent iPads, these applications can be pre-loaded for the attendees. 

HOOTSUITE

Hootsuite is a social media dashboard that allows attendees or event organizers to post and monitor activity from several social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

iPAD

Rent iPads to allow attendees to keep everything in one place; their conference program, presentations, notes, speaker bios, video, sponsorships, and social media -- all while walking around and networking at the event.

JUSTIFICATION

Work with your event partners, such as AV Event Solutions, to help justify the expense of technology over printed materials. 

KIOSK RENTALS

Kiosks are great on the trade show floor, hotel lobby, conference foyer, and convention hallway because they are accessible all the time, can show video, provide quizzes, and allow for touch panel interaction.

LIGHT EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Lighting is such an important part of most events...it sets the mood. New LED lighting is going to revolutionize lighting options. For all your lighting options, work closely with the AV Project Manager.

MICROPHONES

Here too, there are many options for the meeting. Knowing more about the room, the number of people attending, and having a quality soundcheck is key to providing the best sound.

Interested in adding any of these interactive technology tools to your next event? AV Event Solutions can provide you with planning and technology rentals from A to Z. Give them a call today! 

Don't forget to check back on Wednesday to see the rest of the Alphabet. 

• Will this location calm my attendees?
• Does this venue offer scenic views or wide open spaces?
• Do they offer massages?
• Do they offer fitness classes, including yoga and Pilates?
• Do they offer golf and tennis?
• What about walking trails? 
• Does the venue offer nutritional cuisine? 
• What about horseback riding?

• Chair massages. Have enough chairs and massage therapists available so attendees don't need to wait in a long line.
• Stretching sessions. Stretching can energize attendees and help them work out any kinks in their backs and necks. 
• Nutritional information posted at each snack option so attendees are aware of the caloric content of each choice. 

• During breaks, play sothing music and lower the lights through a high quality sound and lighting rental system. 
• Look at LED light equipment rentals for more subtle lighting options. 
• Consider aromatherapy to help concentration and reduce tension. 
• Touchscreen technology, such as iPads or computer kiosks, can give attendees a tactical feel to their learning process. 

• Create a Facebook Fan Page for the new product or service and ask attendees to like it.
• Create a QR code that attendees can scan from their tablet to learn more information about your product or service. 
• Create a survey and ask for their email address at the end of it.
• Use social media outlets to create a contest or giveaways for the new product or service. 

 

1. Touch Panel Kiosk
2. Touchscreen computer, such as an iPad or Tablet PC or
3. Touchscreen smartphone, such as an Android or iPhone

• Digital Signage
• Meeting Agendas
• Event PowerPoint Presentations
• Speaker Profiles and Videos
• Up-to-the-Minute Event Information
• Sponsorship Information
• Self Check-in for Conferences
• Information about Product or Services
• Gaming
• Pre- and Post- Product Launching Event Information
• Poll Attendees about Conference

• Registering Attendees at Conference
• Handouts and conference materials 
• Allow participants to take notes and email to their work computer
• Polling
• Questions for the Speaker
• Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Handheld Kiosks for Exhibitors
• Getting last minute changes out to attendees about the event

• Email information to participants, such as event updates
• Send speaker questions 
• Tweet about event

Touch panel kiosks provide attendees with self-service benefits and can now be the one-stop service option for many of your conference goers. Because kiosks are now thinner, wireless, and very reliable, more and more applications are being written for this technology. Kiosk rentals also have a great deal of system security, remote monitoring, and most apps are highly intuitive. 

Kiosks can be equipped with a printer, credit card reader, and/or badge reader. Here are 6 common ways kiosks can be used at your next meeting, event, or convention:

• Direct attendees to the right room locations through arrows, video, or printed instructions on kiosk display
• Give attendees information about the agenda, speakers, and relevant information regarding the conference
• Creation of a message board for attendees to communicate with each other, as well as, with event organizers
• Create a time banner during breaks to let people know when the breaks are about to end

• Contests can be set up on the kiosk rentals for giveaways or prizes at the conference. Attendees can ask a series of questions and enter their information to register.
• Gaming applications can be installed to allow attendees to have some fun during meeting down times
• Local entertainment can be promoted on the kiosk via video, along with coupons to see the entertainment at a local venue

• Allow attendees to check-in to conference anytime, complete with badge printing 
• Print conference itinerary and any other pertinent information

• Attendees can access their email and social media accounts
• Google area information about attractions and review restaurant rating systems
• Look at weather conditions at home
• Print off airline boarding pass and review airline information, including delays

• For walk-in attendees, they can register and pay for the conference 
• If you are holding an optional special event or fundraiser during the conference, attendees can purchase their tickets at the kiosk and print ticket and receipt
• Attendees can purchase and/or order books or DVDs and pay for them

• Venue information can be loaded, including a map of the meeting and trade show space
• Local restaurant information including: menus, where they are located relative to the venue, and phone numbers for reservations
• Coupon printing for restaurants and attractions and/or the ability to text the coupon to the attendees smartphone
• Display of local map and directions, including the ability to print the directions to a location
• Display of the weather and forecast for the days of the convention
• Taxi or bus services, including routes and phone numbers

• Who are you going to invite? This will determine the size of venue you need to host the event.
• What does it need to say? Other than the event specifics, you want to give your audience a glimpse of why they should attend. 
• Consider giving your event a theme. 
• Have a RSVP process. Give them several ways to respond via telephone, email, or registration on your website. 

• Formal Invitation to mailed out with RSVP cards inserted. Looking something like a wedding invite, many companies don't want to spend the money or time to produce an invitation of this nature. However, if you have the budget, I would recommend doing it, especially for your VIP attendees.
• Flyers. These are great for a more informal or company-wide launch where it will be held in an informal setting such as an outside venue or holiday gathering.
• Brochures. If a lot needs to be conveyed about the product or service launch, a brochure is great marketing piece to convey it.

• Put your invitation on your website, complete with registration area.
• Blog about the event and consider having guest bloggers.
• Set up a Twitter strategy for days leading up to the event and make sure attendees that join you the day of the event are encouraged to tweet about it.
• Create an email campaign inviting attendees.

• Touch panel kiosks throughout the event space can run video about the new product or service, quiz attendees after the launch, and/or allow them to register for the grand prize drawing. 
• Sound and lighting rentals are key because the spotlight can be on the new product and it is also important the audience hear every word about what's new. Lighting can also create a mood of mystery and a great sound system can be used for music, as well as, the keynote speaker. Having wireless mics throughout the room will also allow the attendees to easily participate in the Q&A session. 
• Wireless Audience Response Systems can instantly capture the attendee's feedback about the new product. 

• Team Player: They act as a liaison between the technical staff, the meeting planner, the venue staff, and any other partner involved in the meeting.


• Go-to Person at the Event: If a last minute request, change or problem arises, AV Technicians cannot usually step away from their workstation because they are busy running the logistical side of the meeting. The PM can step in and make those requests happen and/or solve any problem efficiently and effectively. 


• Offer technical expertise: The Project Manager has in-depth knowledge about all the organization's Audiovisual Equipment including:
  
  • Audience Response Systems
  • Touch Panel Kiosks
  • Wireless Network Array Rental
  • iPads and Tablet PCs
  • Recording Devices
  • Sound and Lighting Rentals

• Client and Service Centric: PMs are dedicated to great client service and have excellent communication skills. They provide a hands-on approach, every step of the way. 


• Work with client on budget: A Project Manager can help the client define their budget for audiovisual equipment rentals as well as alert them to any areas of possible budget run ups, such as, unexpected labor charges, equipment changes or AV additions. 

At ASAE's Annual Meeting held August 7-9, 2011 in St. Louis, MO, many meeting planners shared their thoughts on how association organizations can focus more attention on membership, marketing, and communications.

Here is a summary of their thoughts -- pre-event, at the function, and post-event:

Before the Meeting

1. Offer Unique Discounts. We all know about the early-bird discounts, but creative discounts, for a limited period of time, can drive attendance up. For example, a special discount for first-time attendees, bring-a-collegue, or discounts for multiple people from the same organization, help bring attention to the event because the discounts are unique. Offering a one or two day discount, offered only through a Social Media channel, such as Twitter, can also be effective.


2. Use the Executive Team. Create a marketing strategy where the C-Suite folks are blogging and tweeting about the event on a consistant and rotating basis. No one wants to hear from just 1 or 2 people from the organization. 10 or 20 individuals give the digital marketing effort more variety.


3.  Create a "Tip of the Week". Have your event services company staff, partners, speakers, and suppliers participate in this. Put it on your website and blog. This short tip will generate more interest about the speakers and sponsors. Start this process as soon as possible, once you know the date and location of your event.

1. Ask Your Members WHY they attended and WHY they joined the organization. Through the use of touch panel kiosks located in areas throughout the convention or meeting, attendees can feel free to write their comments anytime during the meeting. In addition, audience response rentals can be used in a multiple choice format and gain immediate feedback to the event organizers.


2. Recognize staff, volunteers, and sponsors. So many times the sponsors get the spotlight because they are the ones with the monetary contribution, but it is important to recognize all the volunteers and staff members that make the event possible. Without their hard work, nothing would happen. A special badge recognizing their contribution can help, as well as, singling them out at the opening session. 


3. Consider "open" and hybrid meetings. Rent iPads to allow for Twitter streaming, take photos and post them during the session, and blog about the key takeaways as soon as the speaker finishes. Video streaming for virtual attendee is also a way to make them feel connected to the event.

1. Send a "We Missed You" postcard or email blast to past attendees who did not make it this year. Give them a link for photos, blogs, and/or webinars so they can get a taste of what happened and make certain to include the date and location of next year's meeting.


2. Continue the conversation. Let attendees know about upcoming ebooks, publications, events, and research your organization is doing. Don't overwhelm them; perhaps twice a month. 


3. Use YouTube to give potential attendees a taste of your event. Have someone interview attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and suppliers. Make the clips no more than 3 minutes long. Consider creating "How-to" clips - these are the most popular. 

• Unlike previous generations, they grew up with the Internet.
• Their networking skills are not as strong as other generations because they are used to chatting online or texting. Face-to-face meetings with a room full of strangers is scary to them. 
• They grew up with structured activities, such as soccer, piano, and ballet practices or lessons. Going outside just to play wasn't the norm. 

• Develop an entire digital strategy around these type of attendees. Send out your invitations and updates on the platforms they use. Skip snail mail and emails. They won't open it or read them. 


• Make your event technology savvy. Rent iPads and give to the attendees. Have kiosk rentals available for digital signage, virtual concierge services, or to promote your products or services. Wireless Audience Response Systems can replace paper surveys.


• Encourage texting and tweeting during the event. They are going to do it anyway, so speakers and event organizers need to accept it and work it into the session. Whether it be texting or tweeting questions to the speaker or complaining about the cold temperature in the room, Millennials are more likely to use technology rather than say something face-to-face.


• Make every moment of the event organized. No networking receptions. Rather have something organized such as going to a baseball game, playing volleyball, or schedule a museum visit. 


• They are easily bored in static lecture-driven sessions. They like interactive sessions or ones where there are multiple short presentations.


• They want deep thought leaders because they will challenge the speaker if they think he or she does not know what they are talking about. When the presenter is in front, millennials will start Googling them and reading about their personal and professional life. Questions will start to arise and a speaker may get threatened if they do not understand and appreciate what is going on.


• Millennials like to work in small groups with preplanned discussion questions. Rent tablet PCs for each table and allow them to mind map different ideas or challenges.


• Make the Millennials your "technology ambassadors". Have them train other attendees, how to use the iPad, touch panel kiosk, and/or audience response rentals. They are very comfortable with the technology where others may not be. In addition, it makes them feel special and engaged.

Are you having nightmares about your next meeting, conference, or convention? Are the logistics keeping you up at night? Here are some great tips to avoid chaos at your next event and keep everything running smoothly.

• Eliminate all paper and binders by renting iPads or Tablet PCs and giving them to your attendees. No shipping of paper, tracking it down, and assembling binders at the last minute. Everything can be preloaded ahead of time.
• Eliminate more paper and time by using Audience Response System rentals to tally attendee evaluations. 
• Hire a qualified AV company to set-up your presentation services audio visual equipment and stay on site with an experience AV technician. Have the AV tech work directly with your presenter to set up everything well in advance.

• Act as a liaison between the technical staff and the planner
• Be the go-to-person during the event
• Offer technical expertise and
• Advise you on possible budget run-ups with technology and labor

Are you considering exhibiting at a trade show? Need new ideas to make your booth extra special? The goals for your booth should be to:

• Draw a crowd
• Stand out from other exhibitors
• Differentiate your company and
• Generate more leads for your organization.

1. Why are you exhibiting at this specific trade show? What makes this one better than any of the others?
2. What is your defined marketing message?
3. Have a well-defined budget, including a line item for renting audio visual equipment.
4. Let the attendees know you will be exhibiting and what your grand prize will be if they stop by.
5. Instead of spending money on giveaways, consider popular prizes such as, an iPad2, gas card, or resort stay.

   

• Audience Response System Rental Units
• iPad, iPad2, and Tablet PCs
• Touch Panel Kiosks
• Laptops
• Wireless Microphones
• Large Screen Rentals