Well-designed, strategic branding conveys professionalism and attention to detail, influencing attendees’ perception of your event. For the BizBash Leadership Summit 2024, an event for event industry thought leaders co-located with Connect Spring Marketplace, organizers put the event logo on the tabletops, right under attendees’ noses.

Appointments between meeting planners and suppliers are at the heart of Connect Spring Marketplace, and the event’s approach is worth noting: Unlike some other appointment-based conferences, buyers had assigned seats while suppliers moved from place to place for the eight-minute meetings.

You only have one chance for a first impression, and Connect made the most of it, welcoming first-time attendees with a glass of champagne during their orientation session.

Everyone and their mother seem to be learning pickleball, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., took advantage of the buzz, sponsoring a pickleball court on the Connect Spring Marketplace show floor.

Say goodbye to delayed gratification: Connect partnered with Cultivate to create a gifting experience for attendees right on the show floor.

Every event brings in thought leaders, but do you know what’s on their minds? Trade Show News Network, another media brand in the Connect family, made the most of Connect Spring Marketplace by setting up a booth to record conversations between Vice President of Content Danica Tormohlen and meetings industry professionals.

Corporate entertainment services company AE&ES had its photo robot cruising around the show floor. Attendees could have their photo taken and launch it off to social media. Win-win for the attendee and the show.

The learning stage on the show floor not only had great speakers—including Mike Dominguez, president and CEO of ALHI; Jason Dunn, executive director of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals; and Scott Frankel, president of Animatic Media—but also attracted attendees with invitingly comfortable cushioned seating.

Cute balls of fluff have been a feature at trade shows for at least a decade now, and it’s still a smart exhibitor investment to draw crowds and create a relaxing moment for busy attendees. In this case, Reno Tahoe brought in the pups.

Classic final night event in Las Vegas: A white-attire party around the pool at Tao nightclub. Here, leaders from the Search Foundation, an organization providing support to event planners in need, show their enthusiasm for a fun evening—Kate Patay, CPCE, (left) and Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP.