BizBash's Chicago Expo & Awards Gives Midwest Planners Reason to Rally

BizBash’s Chicago Expo, held August 20 at the Merchandise Mart, teemed with energy and excitement for Chicago events, with a full day of education, exhibits, entertainment, and networking. More than 1,300  members of Chicago’s event industry gathered on the Mart’s eighth floor for the second annual event, and this year’s show featured the first Event Style Awards presentation honoring the city's best events of the last year.

Nimlok supplied a 15- by 14-foot vinyl sign that hung outside the Mart; the colorful sunburst branding could be seen for blocks. Other show-floor informational signage was supplied by Signmakers. BizBash staff and out-of-town guests stayed at the recently renovated Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, the event’s hotel sponsor.

Stepping off the elevators, attendees found an elegant registration area by show designer Heffernan Morgan. Draped with silky fabrics in the show’s color scheme of orange and yellow, the registration lounge included four seating areas, floral arrangements, and towering glass pedestals with directional signage.

This year’s show theme, “Bash the Expected,” encouraged planners to think strategically and provided practical advice for creating events with limited resources. BizBash’s staff created buzz before the expo using social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Special offers posted on industry sites and tweets on Twitter announced speakers and updates to the expo schedule.

E-vents Registration’s team sped attendees through the on-site registration process using a bar-code-scanning system with hardware and printers supplied by Abcom. All attendees received white recycled polypropylene tote bags with plenty of room for brochures and giveaways from exhibitors. Show bags included treats such as show-branded M&M’s from M&M Mars, a show guide, and an offer from Brightroom photography, the official event photographer, for professional headshot sittings at its booth.

Nearly 300 planners attended that education sessions that started shortly after 8 a.m., fueled by breakfast boxes provided by GoPicnic. Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment handled event production management, making the day flow smoothly.

Attendees took part in education sessions such as “Financial Issues for Planning Events From the Inside Out,” in which Teri Jarvie, director of the Meeting Services Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, explained how to use budgets as a tool to take the pressure and anxiety out of planning an event.

The “Planning Successful Nonprofit Events and Galas in Challenging Times” session attracted nearly 100 planners, who heard from experts including panel moderator Deborah Borsum, executive producer for Meetinghouse Companies, and speakers Lee Kite, director of distinguished events for the American Cancer Society, and Andrew Schorr, president and principal of In the Loop-Chicago.

IML director Ray Hansen led a two-part session titled “Gen 2.0 Technology: Demos and Explanations of What to Adopt,” giving attendees information on building their personal brands and on why contributing to online conversations on sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter is so important in today’s technology-focused world. Hansen incorporated IML’s polling device into his presentation, obtaining on-the-spot feedback from the audience.

Attendees gathered shortly before the start of the morning general session, relaxing in a stylish lounge designed by Heffernan Morgan that flanked the main stage. The lounge’s gray armless sofas were complemented by white floor lamps, glass-topped coffee tables, and floral arrangements of deep violet, magenta, and white.

The general session opened at 10:15 a.m. as attendees gathered in front of the main stage. First up was a brief performance by Silverguy Entertainment. Two drummers in silver costumes and body paint pounded on a large drum, signaling the start of the morning general session.

AV services on the main stage were handled by Sound Investment A/V, who teamed up with lighting designer Frost and video media designers Glow Design Group to create a visually pleasing experience.

The official program began with the induction of the 2009 Chicago Hall of Fame. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Martin Balogh, director of meetings and travel for the American Bar Association; Tina Carlson, president of Ivan Carlson & Associates; and Robert H. Neubert, director of catering sales for the Hilton Chicago. Each inductee was presented with an inscribed silver charger acknowledging their contributions to the event industry.

Immediately following the induction ceremony, Andy Sernovitz took the stage and delivered the keynote address, “Love or Marketing? How Word of Mouth Will Save Your Brand.” “Earning the love and respect of your customers is the objective when marketing your product or brand,” Sernovitz said. When customers have good experiences, as well as bad, they share information via social-media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. This sort of word-of-mouth marketing can help your brand not only survive, but prosper, as online user communities continue to grow.

The show floor opened promptly at 11 a.m. as exhibitors showcased their venues, products, and entertainment ideas. ActionBooth’s energetic crew snapped photos of attendees as they jumped in midair. Catered by Design raffled off a $1,000 cocktail reception, which went to Denise Howard, hospitality assistant from Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione. Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, judging venue for the Event Style Awards, recreated the spectacular view from its 16th-floor terrace using vinyl wall graphics of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and the Wrigley Clock Tower. A popular show-floor destination was sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board, which offered free back massages and aromatherapy to attendees.

This year’s show floor also featured a pavilion sponsored by the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau. Twenty-seven CCTB members offered product samples and literature and talked with planners about their venues.

As midday approached, attendees took a lunch break with tasty sandwiches, salads, cookies, and drinks from Corky’s Catering. Corky’s, the official show caterer, provided snacks and beverages in the greenroom for V.I.P. guests and speakers.

The show floor’s rear lounge, designed by CORT Event Furnishings, featured tufted white vinyl circular banquettes and high-gloss white cocktail tables with glass centers. Dramatic floral arrangements by Heffernan Morgan consisted of red, orange, and yellow gladiolus, which popped against the white furniture and lounge decor. DJs from Fig Media played music in the lounge.

In the afternoon, the mini stage was a flurry of activity during several 20-minute education sessions. Among the sessions were “Invitations That Send Your Message: Case Study Do’s and Don’ts,” presented by Andrea Liss, founder and president of Hannah Handmade, and “Design Tips for These Times,” presented by Erin McDonald, senior designer at Heffernan Morgan. Four-member female a capella group Route 66, represented by Live Event Productions, entertained the audience with their classic doo-wop sound.

As the afternoon continued, the show floor remained crowded and energized as planners and exhibitors connected. The education sessions resumed at 2 p.m., giving planners information on how to cut event costs in an environment of tight budgets and how to get new ideas from vendors and industry suppliers. The first session, “Champagne on a Beer Budget: Food and Beverage Cost-Cutting Techniques,” was presented by Vicky Betzig, president and owner of Meeting Industry Consulting, Improving Meetings & Conventions. Dual presenters Richard Aaron, BizBash president, and Tina Carlson, president of Ivan Carlson & Associates, led the “Ideas in Action” session, which proved to be a crowd pleaser.

The afternoon general session started at 3 p.m. with BizBash editor-in-chief Chad Kaydo giving a keynote presentation titled “The Latest Trends in the Changing Event Landscape.” Kaydo shared some cool ideas from events that BizBash has covered in the past year. Tom Kehoe, president of Kehoe Designs, joined Kaydo onstage and spoke about trends he’s seeing and implementing for his own events.

This year, the first BizBash Event Style Awards were bestowed on Chicago-area events. The award presentation, sponsored by Classic Party Rentals, began at 5 p.m. with entertainment by Ainsworth Rose, the Jamaican One Man Band, who belted out songs with a soothing island feel. A panel of Chicago event industry professionals and BizBash editors reviewed and judged each entry in three areas to tally scores and determine winners.

Models from Impulse Talent were on hand to assist with presenting the awards to category winners. The crystal B-shaped awards were created by Society Awards and etched with the category, year, and BizBash logo.
 
To view the list of winners, please see related coverage on BizBash.com.

Immediately following the Event Style Awards, attendees made their way to the Chopping Block for a final cocktail reception to celebrate the winners. Pure Wine sponsored the reception, pouring specialty cocktails and wine. The Bacardi Mojito Mix Team was on hand to create drinks using Grey Goose. The Chopping Block chefs demonstrated their skills while creating a variety of small bites that included sushi rolls with spicy tuna, Korean beef in lettuce cups, hummus with chickpea flatbread, and Mexican gazpacho. The venue’s teaching environment made it easy for guests to interact with the chefs, ask questions, and taste the food. Prime Staffing supplied cocktail reception staff.

BizBash thanks the Chicago Merchandise Mart’s staff, awards show sponsor Classic Party Rentals, and exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, all of whom made the Chicago Event Style Expo & Awards an event to remember. Mark your calendar for next year’s expo, August 19, 2010, back at the Merchandise Mart.