Chicago, Illinois - May 20, 2009 - David Adler, C.E.O. and founder of BizBash, the trade media for the event and meeting industry, announced today that the BizBash Chicago Expo & Awards will return to the Chicago Merchandise Mart on Thursday, August 20, 2009, for its second year. This year, the expo will feature the first Event Style Awards presentation for Chicago events. The prestigious awards will be presented in eighteen categories. BizBash also hosts annual event industry expos in New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, in Toronto at the Direct Energy Centre, and in Los Angeles at the L.A. Mart.
According to Adler, "With the economy in a downturn, our goal is to do everything possible to keep costs down for exhibitors. Many of our exhibitors are small businesses who will benefit greatly from exhibiting at the Merchandise Mart because of our relationship with Merchandise Mart Properties."
The expo's morning keynote session will feature word-of-mouth marketing guru Andy Sernovitz in a timely presentation titled "Love or Marketing? How Word of Mouth Will Save Your Brand." The afternoon keynote, "Latest Trends in a Changing Event Landscape," will be presented by BizBash editor in chief Chad Kaydo with special guest event producer Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs. That session will provide Kaydo's take on the latest trends and ideas, while Kehoe will share cutting-edge ideas that work in today's changing event landscape. The third annual Hall of Fame ceremony will induct Martin Balogh, director of meetings and events for the American Bar Association; Tina Carlson, president of Ivan Carlson & Associates; and Robert Neubert, director of catering sales for the Hilton Chicago.
Now in its second year, the BizBash Expo is a must-attend show for anyone who plans or executes everything from parties and galas to consumer and B2B trade shows, press conferences, premieres, and even social-network gatherings. The August 20 expo is expected to draw between 1,000 and 1,500 top event and meeting planners and suppliers from all over the western United States. Planners will experience a day full of conference sessions, entertainment, and exhibits showcasing what's new and what's next in event suppliers and venues.
"We are planning an exceptional event," said Richard Aaron, BizBash president and show director. "In staying at the Mart, we are saving exhibitors an average of $2,000 in additional show expenses such as electricity, carpeting, and drayage compared with other venues. In today's economic environment, that's an enormous savings."
The show is a prime opportunity for exhibitors and planners to come together and celebrate events.
More information and registration details can be found at the expo Web site at www.bizbashchicagoexpo.com.
About BizBash
Since its founding in 2000, BizBash Media has become the event industry's leading source for inspiration, smart marketing strategies, and useful tools, helping to revolutionize the ways event professionals get ideas and connect with each other. BizBash serves six major markets with its trade shows, Web sites, and magazines: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Florida. The BizBash National Venue Guide covers an additional 12 markets and is the perfect resource for planners. BizBash will open three new Web sites for planners in Boston, Las Vegas, and Orlando next month.
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