The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released a new report, What Attendees Want from Trade Exhibitions that offers new insight on exhibition attendee drivers and desires.

Results profiled in this report come from a study that was originally conducted 10 years ago. It provides valuable up-to-date insights into what attendees are looking to achieve when they visit business-to-business exhibitions.

Key findings include:

• Many attendees have dual agendas when they visit exhibitions, looking to serve both organizational and personal needs. Nearly the same percentages of attendees come to shop (69 percent) or learn (66 percent).
• The top-ranked important reasons for attending exhibitions is a blend of coming to see what is new and having a chance to interact with experts. The highest-importance scores are achieved for: see new technology, have the chance to talk to experts and gain industry insights.
• Exhibitions are doing well in meeting the needs of attendees, with more than a majority of attendees saying their top-ranked important needs are met. Additionally, there are areas of opportunity for exhibitors and organizers to further ramp up the value of exhibitions in meeting shopping needs as they relate to current problems and purchase decisions.

 

Distinguished industry icon and educator Howard Feiertag, CMP, CHME, CHA, and 1999 inductee into CIC’s Hall of Leaders, was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) during its Adrian Awards Gala in New York. Feiertag, faculty member at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., was recipient of the Winthrop W. Grice Award for public relations excellence due to his outstanding dedication to his work and to the education of future hospitality professionals over 30 years. With more than 53 years of combined experience in the hospitality and education industries, Feiertag possesses knowledge in convention bureau management; food and beverage; hotel operations; meetings and convention management; sales and marketing; as well as tour and travel. This is the latest honor for Feiertag. In 2004, he received HSMAI’s first annual Excellence in Sales and Marketing Strategy Award, is a "Fellow" and lifetime member of the Institute of Travel Agents, and a charter member of Meeting Professionals International. In its 56th year, the HSMAI Adrian Awards competition has evolved into the world's most-renowned and prestigious advertising, public relations and digital marketing competition tailored for the hospitality, travel and tourism industries.

 

Kenneth Fischang, CMP, CHME, CTA, President and CEO of Sonoma County Tourism, was recently awarded the Chairman’s Award by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s sold-out 2013 Annual Gala in Santa Rosa, CA. Each year, the Santa Rosa Chamber recognizes member companies, organizations and individuals who have made a significant, positive impact on the well being of the community and economy. "Ken has been a superb leader and motivator for the cause of tourism in our area and has made a significant impact for our business community," said Chamber President Jonathan Coe. Along with a distinguished career in the hotel industry, Fischang has served industry organizations including PCMA’s Southern Pacific Chapter, MPI’s Chicago Area Chapter, the St. Louis Society of Association Executives, the Association Forum of Chicagoland, Destination Marketing Association International, and U.S. Travel Association Destination Council board.

 

 

Will Engle, CMP was promoted to Director of Conferences and Events at AMR Management Services in Lexington, KY.

Dina O'Rourke, CMP is now President of Dragonfly Events, LLC.

Dena Rose, CMP, CMM  is now Project Manager for A & M Meetings & Incentives.

Hannah Fani, CMP is now Account Manager at MCI Group, Dubai, UAE.

Leslie Barnett, CMP is now Director of Sales at Host Chicago, part of the Hosts Global Alliance.

Jason Ring, CMP is now Senior Event Manager at the Hilton New York.

Tammy Gilber Cardona, CMP was promoted to Senior Sales Manager at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Shannon Hopkins, CMP is now Founder and President of Achieva Global Meetings, LLC in Dallas, TX.

Julia Isabel Davenport, PMP, CMP just celebrated the 11th anniversary of her company, Maximize Your Publicity in Glendale, AZ.

Kim Hentges, CMP is now Senior Meeting Manager at Rx Worldwide Meetings, Inc.

Made an awesome career move? Let us help you celebrate! Send the details of your latest career triumph to  cmptoday@conventionindustry.org.  And while you're at it, be sure to log into  www.conventionindustry.org and update your official CMP record.