You know what they say: time flies when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe that the 2018 Expo! Expo! event is already behind us.
We had way too much fun to continue our daily recaps, so we’ve decided to gather all of the goodies from Expo! Expo into one exciting final recap.
The rest of the event was action-packed with a range of exciting sessions, another inspiring keynote speech, the Tech Startup Competition and a surprise twist during the general session.
We also enjoyed the entertainment and hospitality that New Orleans has to offer, with the annual charity event Humanity Rocks at the House of Blues and Streampoint’s annual party, held in collaboration with Blaine Event Services.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the highlights.
There was tons of learning, sharing and connecting.
Even more connections were made as attendees were busy on the exhibition floor.
The week was filled with many great sessions, ranging from best practices in risk management to a session on multi-sensory tools and AV trends to enhance booth experiences. In one workshop, show contractors Freeman, GES Global and T3 Expo discussed how tech platforms are available and how they enable show organizers to enhance exhibitor experiences.
Full house! Ric Camacho of @Specialty_Food, Richard Maranville of @FreemanCo, Chris Valentine of @T3Expo and Paul Zickert of @GESGlobal speaking on how show organizers can work together to improve exhibitor services! Thanks to partner @SmartCityNtwks #ExpoExpo pic.twitter.com/Hy0YytSil0
— IAEE Headquarters (@IAEE_HQ) December 12, 2018
But that’s not all. The general session featured a surprise marriage proposal! You heard it: a marriage proposal. Now that warms our hearts!
Get the tissues ready! We just had Rich Stone of @expocad propose to MT Hickman at #ExpoExpo!! She said YES! 💍 pic.twitter.com/36nQ9lxI1S
— IAEE Headquarters (@IAEE_HQ) December 12, 2018
Turning your passion into a thriving business.
Mandy Rennehan, Founder and CEO of Freshco.ca, captivated us in the general session on her journey from a lobster-fishing family to becoming one of North America’s most successful entrepreneurs.
She opened up about how she turned her passion into a thriving business and offered tips for others on building an authentic brand.
Mandy Rennehan, (aka the “Blue Collar CEO”), founder of https://t.co/8GWj0PEhfs, is delivering a dynamic keynote at #expoexpo. @SmartMeetings pic.twitter.com/bbARsj7GWB
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) December 12, 2018
Emerging brands put their best foot forward.
A number of emerging tech companies, including Resiada, The Indoor Lab, Proxfinity and many more leading brands, faced off in the annual Tech Startup Competition in the Tech Pavilion.
.@IAEE_HQ … Tech Start-up competition gets underway at #expoexpo in #NewOrleans – with the latest in #eventtechnology… #events #eventprofs #exhibitions @VisitAustinTX pic.twitter.com/XPAS48cZJ1
— Odyssey Media Group (@OdysseyMG) December 12, 2018
We saw numerous brands share innovative uses of technology.
We heard from leading brands, such as Brella, eTech Events, Expo Logic and more, as they shared recent case studies and successes on how they’ve used emerging technologies to enhance event experiences.
Lots of great tech solutions being offered at the #ExpoExpo Tech Use Cases in room 351-352! Tech Use Cases will be presented every hour today! pic.twitter.com/eUnT73vPhy
— IAEE Headquarters (@IAEE_HQ) December 13, 2018
Attendees gathered at New Orleans’s House of Blues, as they celebrated for a cause.
To celebrate the achievements in the events and exhibitions industry, while giving back to the community, GES Global hosted Humanity Rocks, its annual charity event, held at the House of Blues.
Wow…#HumanityRocks at #ExpoExpo is always a great time, but this year really took the cake. @bagofdonutsnola was truly incredible!
Kudos to @IAEE_HQ for putting together such an amazing event! pic.twitter.com/NGnv8mEGUE
— Jessica Finnerty CEM (@JessiFinnerty) December 13, 2018
Did someone say party?
But wait, there was more celebrating to be had! Streampoint collaborated with Blaine Event Services on a private party, which was held at the historic French 75 bar, the oldest bar in New Orleans!
Overall, it was a fantastic week for the events and exhibitions industry! We thank our friends at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and the city of New Orleans for their generous hospitality. And of course, we owe thanks to the many Expo! Expo! attendees, partners and supporters for a tremendous event!
