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SISO Update

SISO

 

27 Apr 2023

SISO Update

A message from our CEO, Vincent Polito:

As I mentioned during the SISO CEO Summit, I will be looking for and encouraging opportunities for our current and future members to get together during other member events to experience the show and have quality time together.

Two such opportunities exist between now and the end of May. 

The first occurs at McCormick Place in Chicago during the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo on May 22. 

We plan to meet in the afternoon of May 22 with an evening dinner. You can visit the show, meet with your colleagues and enjoy an evening meal. Thanks to Tom Cindric and Lisa Malikow of Winsight for their assistance with badges and perhaps a tour of the show. The show overlaps with another member event, Sweets and Snacks Expo. Jeff Pressman of ConvExx and I are still discussing details, as the show floor technically opens on May 23. If you are interested, please email me directly at vincent@siso.org

The second opportunity is in Washington, D.C., after the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) on May 31. Sam Lippman has given us a meeting room for a 4 p.m. meeting, and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has invited us to a reception after our meeting. The District SISO membership is further along in its organizational efforts, and I know it's already moving down a great path. Again, if you'd like to attend the meeting/reception, please email me directly at vincent@siso.org for further details. Thanks to member Tom Billington for his efforts and Sam Lippman for providing the room. 

That week in Washington, D.C. is a can't-miss week. On May 30, I am part of an all-star group of presenters, and the topic is “The New Rules of International Event Marketing.” mdg holds an annual pre-ECEF session, and both SISO and UFI support mdg's efforts. Click here to link to the registration. If you haven't registered to attend ECEF, you should consider attending. This year's keynote features SISO member Fernando Fischer, president of RX Americas. This event requires a separate registration and is limited to senior executives. It's an exceptional event. 

On June 1, the Exhibitions and Conference Alliance (ECA) is hosting the industry's Legislative Action Day, an event you want to attend. Here's the link to register.

And finally, as promised, our Small Business Roundtable and Women's Leadership Forum will not compete with one another this summer. Instead, the Small Business Roundtable will start in the late morning, and the SISO Women's Leadership Forum will take place in the afternoon. Registration for the Summer Conference will open in mid-May. 
 

SISO Activities
 

SISO Summer Conference 2023

Mark your calendar and look forward to attending the 2023 SISO Summer Conference, taking place Aug. 22-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah. You won't want to miss this incredibly valuable SISO event, so plan now to bring a group from your team! Stay tuned for details.
 

SISO CEO Summit

The 2023 SISO CEO Summit took place March 20-23 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. See the wrap-up video here.

Read the collection of highlights from the SISO CEO Summit here, and view the photo gallery. 

We thank everyone who attended and hope that you found the program to be informative and the networking stellar!


The SISO Member Forum is Now Online!

Previously called the SISO Community, the renamed SISO Member Forum has moved to the Guild platform. Designed especially for SISO members to connect, communicate and collaborate, this is a private and safe space to ask questions of the community, look for information and find recommendations with other members. 

If you did not receive your invite letter to join this exclusive community, click here to request to join. We look forward to “seeing” you there!
 

Special Interest Groups
 

B2C (formerly known as the Consumer Events SIG)

The SISO B2C SIG is planning a session for May 25, at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. Details and registration information to follow.
 

Marketing

Save the date and plan to attend the next session of the SISO Marketing SIG, which will take place on Wed., May 24 at 11 a.m. ET. Details and registration link to follow.
 

Small Business

The SISO Small Business SIG will hold their monthly calls on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. ET for the remainder of the year. The next session is scheduled for May 23. Zoom connection information to follow.

Additional meetings are scheduled for June 20 and July 25.

Please plan to attend and join us in August for our live Small Business Roundtable during the 2023 SISO Summer Conference in Salt Lake City, Aug. 22-24. Registration will open in mid-May. We hope that you will join us!

Sessions scheduled for the remainder of the year are Sept. 26 and Oct. 24, and we will not hold any Small Business SIG meetings during the months of November and December this year.
 

Alliances
 

Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA)

Here's the latest news from the ECA:

Register for ECA Legislative Action Day

Registration is open for ECA's 2023 Legislative Action Day, which will take place in Washington, DC on June 1. Join fellow SISO members and other industry leaders on Capitol Hill to meet with your elected officials about the policy issues that matter to the industry.

This year's event will be held in conjunction with the Lippman Connects Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), which will take place the day before, on May 31. For those of you attending, please make plans to stay for ECA Legislative Action Day!

Big Advocacy Win in Kentucky

In great news for SISO members, organizers are no longer required to charge sales tax to their exhibitors and sponsors in Kentucky! This brings Kentucky's tax policy in line with that of other states, which will ensure its competitiveness as a destination going forward.

As shared from the SISO CEO Summit stage, this win was the result of an “all in” advocacy partnership between ECA, Louisville Tourism, the Kentucky Travel Industry Association and many others. Thanks to SISO member organization for their support of this important effort!

ECA and SISO Tell the FTC to Stop Fraud

Earlier this month, 235 groups—including ECA and SISO—sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging it to finalize a new rule targeting fraudsters who target the industry. The proposed FTC rule would help the agency go after hotel reservation scammers and email attendee list sale scammers.

On May 4, ECA will testify at an FTC hearing in Washington, DC to urge the agency to act now.


Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)

The Attendee Acquisition Trends Driving Growth study is a comprehensive overview of strategies and approaches used by B2B exhibition attendee marketers today to achieve their goals in this time of recovery.

It is global in scope. It includes benchmarks and insights related to: factors considered for marketing planning; performance metrics; marketing messaging; marketing channel tactics; discounts and premiums; use of marketing automation and dashboards; out-of-pocket costs; revenues generated by attendee fees and more.

This series is available as a complimentary download for CEIR subscribers and SISO members. To access your complimentary copy as a SISO member, go here for instructions on how to use your coupon code.

See the collection of reports in this series on the CEIR Store.


SISO Supports Industry News Platform, The Iceberg

SISO is a partner with The Iceberg/Business Events World, an industry communications vehicle produced by the Joint Meetings Industry Council. Check out their most recent monthly newsletters here and here, as well as SISO's listing and banner. Please consider supporting this important and comprehensive industry platform!
 

Moving Forward Updates


While the rumblings of a possible recession may be occupying the minds of many business leaders these days, the U.S. exhibition industry is nonetheless continuing its robust comeback, as evidenced by the strong return of face-to-face trade shows and business events. Shows are attracting strong attendance rivaling pre-pandemic numbers, exhibitors are enthusiastically returning to bustling show floors to connect with new and established customers, and event companies are launching new events, regardless of the doom and gloom. Take a look!

Member Benefits
 

Business of Events Masterclass

Focused on change, innovation and disruption in the events industry, the Business of Events Masterclass offers new ways for event organizers, event professionals, entrepreneurs and investors to identify challenges and opportunities and learn from concrete case studies and leaders across the industry. Learn what the top CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors in the events industry are doing about the challenges they face and the future they envision. To learn more and register with your SISO discount, go here.


ShowDown – SISO Endorsed Event Cancellation Insurance Program

Well-received by show organizers, the SISO-endorsed ShowDown Event Cancellation Insurance program offers a liability program for organizers and exhibitors. While communicable disease is excluded, the program covers catastrophic weather events, including snowstorms and hurricanes, power outages, fires and floods.

As one of the broadest and best-priced programs available, the ShowDown Event Cancellation Insurance policy uses an “all-risk” format and offers the following:

  • Clear policy language with the fewest exclusions of any program
  • Includes national mourning for the death of U.S. and Canadian heads of state
  • Covers loss due to civil commotion or rioting
  • Provides the highest included terrorism protection of up to $2.5 million for an act that occurs within 100 days and 500 miles
  • Delivers a policy term of as long as 36 months
  • Rates are usually about 15% less than other programs
  • Exceptional service and efficient claim process

For questions, contact Jack Buttine at (516) 381-7305 or jbuttine@risk-strategies.com.
 

Q&A

Join your community online via SISO's social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Have a question about SISO or want to get more involved? Email anna@siso.org
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Testimonials

  • “Without a doubt the most valuable three days of the year for networking, learning, and meeting colleagues.”
    Tony Calanca, Calanca & Associates LLC
  • “Two of the best acquisitions Access Intelligence had executed came directly from contacts and discussions held at the SISO CEO Summit. Beyond that important networking for transactions, I learn best practices from the best in the industry. The ROI for membership is immeasurable.”
    Don Pazour, CEO, Access Intelligence
  • “The impact of SISO is so much bigger than its size. It feels more like a global council of important tribes than a traditional trade association.”
    David Adler, CEO & Founder, Bizbash Media
  • “Our industry thrives on the personal relationships that face-to-face builds, and the CEO Summit is the ultimate place to build YOUR network!”
    Tom Mitchell, President, Messe Dusseldorf North America
  • “As busy, independent, for-profit organizer, SISO keeps our company connected to all the key players working in this industry and allows great relationships and ongoing learning of best practices from the best in the business. All invaluable assets to help move our business forward."
    Howard Hauben, CEO, H2 Events
  • “The SISO membership represents the entire for-profit tradeshow community and the annual SISO conferences are must-attend events for their educational and networking value.”
    Joel A. Davis, Founder & CEO, JD Events
  • Being a member of SISO has allowed me to navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry in the most effective way possible. Personally, it’s been a journey of continuous learning, networking, and collaboration that fosters deep relationships with industry leaders. Professionally, the insights I’ve gained, the resources I have accessed, and the collaborative initiatives and advocacy work have helped to take my organization to new heights. SISO, to me, is an indispensable asset for my career and business.
    Liz Irving, President, Clarion Events

 

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