With only a few days until Expo! Expo!, the excitement for the “show for shows” is rising. Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition prepares show organizers for a better year ahead. With 298 exhibitors across 60+ product categories, 142 education sessions and plenty of networking opportunities, attendees will leave with insights and connections that will prove to be beneficial for their shows in the upcoming year. IAEE interviewed Tanisha Bibbs, CMP, Director of Event Planning, Alternative and Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA) who shared that Expo! Expo! is truly the “show for shows.”
Tell us a little about yourself. What are your current responsibilities?
I am the Director of Event Planning for ADISA – a small association in Indianapolis, IN that provides education and networking for people in the finance and investment industry. I plan three major events per year – our Spring Conference, Due Diligence Forum and Fall Conference. I also plan a few smaller meetings throughout the year as well.
Why do you attend Expo! Expo!? And how many years have you attended Expo! Expo!?
This is my fourth Expo! Expo! and I am currently getting my CEM. I attend to stay abreast of what’s happening in the exhibitions and events world through their education and networking.
How do show organizers like yourself benefit from attending Expo! Expo!?
IAEE does an excellent job of getting the right people together for this event. There is no shortage of quality sessions and the expo hall is packed with vendors – large and small -offering technology and services to help make my job easier.
What education sessions caught your attention at Expo! Expo! in the past? Did you have any takeaways from those sessions?
Because I work for a small association and I have to wear many hats, the sales sessions are always important to me. It’s something I’m hoping to grow into in the future.
Were there any insights from Expo! Expo! that you implemented in your organization? If so, what were they?
We met with Event Technologies last year in San Antonio and started using their list service to send out email blasts in 2018. They have been a valuable asset to us and we hope to continue the partnership for many years.
How do you approach your time spent at Expo! Expo!?
This year, I am taking the last of my CEM classes on the front end of the conference, so I hope to spend some quality time on the floor visiting my current vendors and checking out some new ones as well.
If you were talking to someone who had not attended Expo! Expo! and was considering going, what would you say to him/her?
I would say if you are in any way involved in the exhibitions and events industry, Expo! Expo! is definitely where you should spend your time. IAEE does such a great job in showcasing all there is to see and experience in this industry. It truly is the “show for shows.”
What tip would you give to a first-time attendee that you wish someone had told you when you attended Expo! Expo! for the first time?
Take time to go through the educational offerings online to decide how to maximize your time there. It also helps to travel with a colleague to attend the sessions that you’d both like to see and meet back later for a data dump.
What is one event or program that attendees cannot miss at Expo! Expo! that you thoroughly enjoy?
Attendees cannot miss the opening session. I was very impressed with it my first time in Los Angeles and continue to be every year. We even adopted the stage set at our conferences after being wowed by the presentations.
Will you be attending this year’s Expo! Expo! in New Orleans? If so, what programming are you looking forward to experiencing?
I will be attending this year in New Orleans and am looking forward to some of the fun things, like the opening reception (always an awesome time) and the Humanity Rocks concert!
Trade show floor, education and networking…all in one place. Attend the “show for shows” in vibrant New Orleans this year.
