Tag Archives: Budget

High Tech, Low Budget: Tech-ing Up Your Event

Posted on by

The vast majority of events listed on GovEvents are technology related. However, the events themselves tend to be manual and paper-based. This reliance on the "old-school" way of doing things is often driven by time and money (or lack thereof).

Events as marketing tools are an expense so keeping spending in check is critical to producing a return on the investment. Often, these events are organized by a small staff with other job responsibilities beyond planning the event. Knowing this, it's understandable to default to the "way we've always done it." This "status quo" thinking might keep the expenses low but ROI will continue to fall as less people attend a show they see as stuck in the past.

We've pulled together some ideas on how to affordably add tech to your events to increase your relevance without increasing bottom line spending.[Tweet "Ideas on how to affordably add tech to your events. #GovEventsBlog #EventTech"] Continue reading →

2015 By The Numbers

Posted on by

In the annual tradition of predictions, we've already looked ahead to 2016 trends, but we also want to take a moment to look back at the year that was.  As we've reported, 2015 turned out to be a great year for the federal events industry with government budgets and restrictions around training and travel loosening.

In the spirit of using Big Data, we took a look at our own data sets and pulled a couple numbers that speak to the year that was.[Tweet "A look at our own data that speak to the year that was. #GovEventsBlog"] Continue reading →

Next Gen Event Planning

Posted on by

The expectations of attendees are changing the dynamics of events.  While there have been several reports claiming event planning as we know it is dead, we see it as more of an evolution. [Tweet "Event planning as we know it is dead... We see it as an evolution. #GovEventsBlog"]

To remain relevant and attract audiences, we need to listen to what they are telling us they need and want and then use the latest technologies and techniques to make that happen. Here's a quick list of new realities that should be shaping the way we plan events. Continue reading →

Want To Go Virtual?

Posted on by

With temperatures plummeting across much of the country, the idea of staying inside is incredibly appealing. Regardless of the season, organizations are struggling to get in needed training and networking with slim travel budgets. All of these factors boost the need for and interest in virtual trade shows.

This article in BizBash provides a great walk through of the decision making process that should go into whether of not to take your event virtual. Some quick highlights from their thoughts: Continue reading →

To Attend or Not to Attend….

Posted on by

With tight budgets, a lot of thought needs to go into deciding what events to attend, exhibit, or sponsor to make the most of time and funds. But where do you start? There are events that bill themselves as "must attend," those where you know all your competitors will be, ones you truly enjoy, and there are untested events that have dynamic speakers. How do you decide where to spend your time and money?

As this article states, first consider your goal for attending. What do you want to get out of event attendance? What can these events provide you that you cannot get anywhere else? This could be one or a combination of the following: Continue reading →