Incorporate the Trade Show Floor
The Event: The Consumer Bankers Association's 2010 CBA Live Conference
The Challenge: The Consumer Bankers Association wanted to provide their exhibitors with the best possible opportunities for interacting with attendees at their annual conference. After all, up to 20% of a company’s new customers result from participation in a trade show. Traditional event floor plans, however, devote one room to the general session and another for the industry trade show. Exhibitors feel increasingly disengaged from the energy of the general sessions. CBA's goal was to create an event that highlighted interactivity.
The Solution: "Rethink, redesign, and repurpose." Leading Authorities helped the Consumer Bankers Association rethink the layout of their event, CBA Live, to create a sense of community between the exhibitors and attendees.
In an innovative twist, Leading Authorities recommended placing the trade show floor and the general sessions in one, larger great hall, with the main stage and audience in the center, surrounded by exhibitor booths. All aspects of the conference were now conveniently located together, and attendees could talk with exhibitors without going out of their way or leaving for another room. With the exhibitors in the middle of all the action, they also became part of the general sessions, meals, and refreshment breaks and had more opportunities to reach costumers, network, and build business relationships.
The Results: The end result for CBA was a better, more relevant meeting. Attendees got practical, applicable insights and networking opportunities with their peers; sponsors got unprecedented access and visibility; and the design of the room gave exhibitors more face-to-face time with attendees.
To learn more about the redesign of this show and hear more great ideas for your next event, call an event design expert at 1-800-SPEAKER or fill out our online information request form.
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