About
You know how trade show exhibitors often take the "Field of Dreams" approach, thinking…
Articles by Marlys
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Open Mic Recap: How to Sell Without Sounding Salesy or Robotic
Open Mic Recap: How to Sell Without Sounding Salesy or Robotic
By Marlys Arnold
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Open Mic Recap: How Can We Craft Unforgettable Experiences for Attendees?
Open Mic Recap: How Can We Craft Unforgettable Experiences for Attendees?
By Marlys Arnold
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Open Mic Recap: How Can We Help Attendees Feel Energized Instead of Exhausted?
Open Mic Recap: How Can We Help Attendees Feel Energized Instead of Exhausted?
By Marlys Arnold
Contributions
Activity
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What a week at #ConnectMP! 💯 I really enjoyed connecting with our attendees this week and learning more about how BizBash can be a better resource…
What a week at #ConnectMP! 💯 I really enjoyed connecting with our attendees this week and learning more about how BizBash can be a better resource…
Liked by Marlys Arnold
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Thanks to Exhibit City News for spreading the word – every vote counts! 🏆 Link to learn how to cast your vote ✅ for Trade Show Insights is in my…
Thanks to Exhibit City News for spreading the word – every vote counts! 🏆 Link to learn how to cast your vote ✅ for Trade Show Insights is in my…
Shared by Marlys Arnold
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Marlys Arnold, host of the long-running Trade Show Insights podcast, has been nominated in the Marketing category of the inaugural Women In…
Marlys Arnold, host of the long-running Trade Show Insights podcast, has been nominated in the Marketing category of the inaugural Women In…
Liked by Marlys Arnold
Experience
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ImageSpecialist
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Publications
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Virtual Event Success Kit
Virtual events are here to stay. So let's craft your event to be a great experience for your exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees.
Virtual events can provide quality content and connections – without the restrictions of space and time! By designing your event to include elements of engagement, you help jump-start that conversation.
The Virtual Event Success Kit provides you with tools to create a blueprint for your event. You’ll discover how to:
• Design an event with…Virtual events are here to stay. So let's craft your event to be a great experience for your exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees.
Virtual events can provide quality content and connections – without the restrictions of space and time! By designing your event to include elements of engagement, you help jump-start that conversation.
The Virtual Event Success Kit provides you with tools to create a blueprint for your event. You’ll discover how to:
• Design an event with robust conversations and memorable experiences
• Provide essential behind-the-scenes support to guide participants through the experience
• Educate speakers, exhibitors & sponsors on how to engage and interact with a virtual audience
• Implement creative ideas to get attendees excited and involved -
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Be Staffing Your Booth
Center for Exhibition Industry Research blog
If you’ve ever been in charge of a booth staff team, you may have discovered that not everyone is cut out for booth duty.
Granted, there may be times when you’re told who will be working the booth and you don’t have any say in the decision. But whenever you do have the opportunity to influence or select who’s going to represent your company on the show floor, here are some guidelines for you.
(Originally published on the Trade Show Insights blog in January 2019) -
Designed to Engage: How to Build Elements of Engagement Into Booth Designs (CEIR Industry Insights Series report)
Center for Exhibition Industry Research
This practical guide shares how to integrate effective engagement tactics in exhibit booth design, and offers examples of what engagement should be in an exhibit booth: “Information is everywhere. People crave experiences instead, especially in a face-to-face environment.”
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Exhibit Design That Works
Tiffany Harbor Productions
Stop wasting money on displays that aren’t effective, or worse yet, could damage your company brand. Inside this guide, you’ll discover how you can:
- Avoid the most common – and not always obvious – mistakes in exhibit design
- Craft a memorable and effective theme
- Speak your audience’s language and give them what they want
- Create a multisensory experience that exceeds expectations and connects with attendees on an emotional level
- Get all design elements…Stop wasting money on displays that aren’t effective, or worse yet, could damage your company brand. Inside this guide, you’ll discover how you can:
- Avoid the most common – and not always obvious – mistakes in exhibit design
- Craft a memorable and effective theme
- Speak your audience’s language and give them what they want
- Create a multisensory experience that exceeds expectations and connects with attendees on an emotional level
- Get all design elements in place to make your booth a success
Exhibit Design That Works is for any exhibitor seeking better results from their trade show investment – whether you’re a rookie starting from the beginning or a long-time veteran wanting to up your game.
This is the first book in the YES: Your Exhibit Success series, which provides exhibitors with tools to create a client-attracting, buzzworthy booth without breaking the bank. -
Why 1% Isn't Nearly Enough! (AKA "The Exhibitor Education Manifesto")
Exhibit Marketers Café
In 2012, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) issued a report on “How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent,” which stated that of the $24 billion used for U.S. trade show marketing, staff training comes in dead last at a measly 1%! (Another study reports that 31% of exhibitors provide no type of pre-show training at all!)
This free 14-page manifesto explains what exhibitor education is (and isn’t) and why it matters. -
ExhibitorEd: Tips, Tools & Action Plans
Tiffany Harbor Productions
From the back cover:
Looking for more results with your exhibits?
These days, everyone's looking to do more with less, and your exhibit program is no exception. Good news! Trade show marketing expert and author, Marlys Arnold, created a series of teleclasses designed for exhibitors of all types and sizes, which is now available in a training kit!
Learn what smart exhibitors know!
Inside the ExhibitorEd Training Kit, you'll learn practical step-by-step tips, expert…From the back cover:
Looking for more results with your exhibits?
These days, everyone's looking to do more with less, and your exhibit program is no exception. Good news! Trade show marketing expert and author, Marlys Arnold, created a series of teleclasses designed for exhibitors of all types and sizes, which is now available in a training kit!
Learn what smart exhibitors know!
Inside the ExhibitorEd Training Kit, you'll learn practical step-by-step tips, expert insights, and real-world examples -- including ways to get more bang for your exhibiting buck -- to make your next trade show experience your best one yet! This six-CD series and workbook covers an entire exhibit strategy from setting goals to managing leads, and everything in between. At the end of each section, there's an Action Plan to put strategies in motion. There are numerous other checklists and resources, including a copy of the book, Build a Better Trade Show Image, plus a certificate for a consultation with the author. And you won't have any travel expense or time away to take this class!
It doesn't matter if you're headed to your first trade show or your 51st -- there are steps you might be missing that can make you more successful. Don't spend time trying to figure it out by yourself!
Series topics:
- Setting Goals/Researching Shows
- Exhibit Theme & Design
- 'People Power!'
- Creative Promotions
- Lead Management & Follow-Up
- 'Podcasts, Wikis & Blogs ... Oh, My!' -
Build a Better Trade Show Image
Tiffany Harbor Productions
This start-to-finish manual for exhibitors covers how to:
- Research shows and set realistic goals for exhibiting
- Make exhibits stand out with a unique theme or design
- Train staffers so they are able to gather the most qualified leads
- Create a buzz about the company before the show starts
- Unlock potential in the leads gathered
- Expand possibilities by implementing non-traditional techniques
- Use resources listed to help in all stages of the…This start-to-finish manual for exhibitors covers how to:
- Research shows and set realistic goals for exhibiting
- Make exhibits stand out with a unique theme or design
- Train staffers so they are able to gather the most qualified leads
- Create a buzz about the company before the show starts
- Unlock potential in the leads gathered
- Expand possibilities by implementing non-traditional techniques
- Use resources listed to help in all stages of the exhibiting plan
Projects
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Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café
To provide a sense of community for those in the trade show and events industry, in March of 2020, I began holding a Virtual Lunch, Tuesdays at Noon CT. It’s a place to have fun and share tips and resources with each other, as well as providing some encouragement and accountability.
There’s no charge to join our Virtual Lunch, and you don’t need any special software. You can access the livestream on either Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn. And if you can’t join us live, the archives will be…To provide a sense of community for those in the trade show and events industry, in March of 2020, I began holding a Virtual Lunch, Tuesdays at Noon CT. It’s a place to have fun and share tips and resources with each other, as well as providing some encouragement and accountability.
There’s no charge to join our Virtual Lunch, and you don’t need any special software. You can access the livestream on either Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn. And if you can’t join us live, the archives will be available to you as well. -
Trade Show Insights blog/podcast
Trade Show Insights is one of the longest-running trade show podcasts, featuring education and analysis of exhibit industry topics plus interviews with leading industry professionals. Hosted by Marlys Arnold, trade show marketing consultant and author of Build a Better Trade Show Image and Exhibit Design That Works.
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"7 Mistakes Exhibitors Make (and how to avoid them)" video series
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Exhibit marketing strategist and author Marlys Arnold shares tips for transforming your next exhibit experience and attracting more qualified leads in this free video series.
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Extra Shot of Exhibit Success (ES2) - audio tips
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Want an Extra Shot of Exhibit Success?
Request audio tip samples from exhibiting experts on design, staffing, promotions and more ... Free in your inbox!
Honors & Awards
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Supplier of the Year
Meeting Professionals International - Kansas City Chapter
From KCMPI:
The Supplier of the Year award recognizes a supplier member who has helped KCMPI with a commitment to the organization and continues to propel the chapter forward to meet the ever-changing challenges of the meetings industry. The winner possesses the ability to motivate others, give a sense of direction and act as a catalyst to effect exceptional results that benefit our chapter.
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