Learning from the trials and tribulations of others is incredibly valuable, giving insight into the problems encountered and solutions found so others can plan their events a little better prepared than before. Each year, all kinds of events around the United States are held, and each comes with lessons of their own (or maybe even a nugget of an idea you can introduce at your own event), several of which are shared below.
Event Case Study: Walmart Experience at CES 2024
For its first time, Walmart took to the technology conference CES in Las Vegas. Tapping long-time partners Leo Events, Walmart’s executives wanted to debut their presence with something memorable. What emerged was a two-story 50’ x 140’ museum-like walkthrough activation, with a history of the company, a showcasing of new technologies the company is using and a 4D experience that took visitors on a product’s journey from its beginnings to the customer’s refrigerator.
Event Case Study: MPI Southern California WeCon 2024
MPI’s Southern California WeCon 2024 in Newport Beach, California, was a practice in reinvention. After contacting Visit Newport Beach, the team at MPI SoCal was able to make the changes they had in mind, such as appealing to the personal lives of attendees and creating personalized experiences. Jennifer Minzey, vice president of education for MPI Southern California, also shares a few lessons she learned from planning the event this time around.
ARVO Conference in Seattle Opened Eyes to Lingering International Travel Challenges
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s annual conference is known as one of the event titans for sharing research in the industry. Given that reputation, its international attendance is high—before Covid that is. Since cancelling in 2020, the conference, like many others, has had its ups and downs but given that so many attendees are coming out of the United States, it has had its unique logistical struggles.
APEC and Dreamforce Showed Off Forward-looking San Francisco
APEC’s theme, “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” addressed trade, investment, facilitation, the digital economy, clean energy and climate, health and more. We spoke with John R. McKinnon, CSEP, DMCP, president of Voila Events and 2024 Meeting Professional of the Year, about the process of gathering 45,000 people, including government officials and celebrities, in San Francisco.
Case Study: The Art of Crafting Holiday Magic
Dickens on Centre is a now decade-long four-day holiday event held in Fernanda Beach, Florida. Mariela Murphy, CMP, special events director for Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, who’s now in her fourth year leading the event, shares her insights from planning the event.
