Types of Events
Trade Show
A type of event. This type of event is organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, to other businesses, meet with industry partners and examine recent market trends and opportunities.
This type of event is most often open only to other businesses, not the public. For this reason, these types of events are considered "trade only".
Exhibition
A type of event. This event includes a large public display of art or trade goods. Products and services are displayed to attendees visiting a show floor, similar to trade show, but with no intent of sale.
Tickets
Selling these to attendees of an event can be one of the main ways to generate revenue for an event organizer.
What MEEC Stands for
Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions
Event Planners
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this occupation will have a very good job outlook, with employment growth that is 11 percent faster than the average for all occupations through 2026.
Break-out Sessions
This takes place as part of a larger event (such as a conference). During this, some of the event participants are temporarily separated from others and placed into smaller groups. With the smaller group, participants may have discussions, complete exercises, or complete another activity together.
Social / Life–Cycle Events
Events like a birthday party, stag party, graduation party, bachelor's party, engagement party, wedding, anniversary, or retirement party. These types of events mark a significant milestone or achievement in someone's life.
Convention
This type of event is generally a large event with up to thousands of attendees. It generally centers around membership in some form and attendees having the same interests. For example, Comic Con International in San Diego. Comic Con bring fans together. Fans show up in the thousands to Comic Con.
Predictions for the MEEC industry
New technologies will become more widely used, green and sustainable events will grow in popularity, virtual meetings will become more common and more innovative and creative locations and venues will be used.
Examples of Duties of an Event Organizer.
Responsibilities include negotiating costs and creating a budget. Arranging speakers and entertainment for the event. Planning the room layout and arranging the tables, chairs, and planning decorations. Creating emergency plans in case something goes wrong at the event.
Symposium
A type of event where many experts in a particular field (such as doctors) are key speakers. During this type of event issues are presented and discussed by a panel of experts. The purpose is making recommendations concerning the problems under discussion. In this event, several expert speakers discuss a variety of topics in front of an audience.
For example, the SEW Symposium brings together leading medical professionals and researches. They present the latest science on food and addiction and discuss solving obesity.
Event
An occasion, a gathering of people at a certain place, at a certain time for a specific reason. This can be described as an assembly of people for the purpose of celebration, education, marketing, etc.
Trends and Best Practices in MEEC
Events should be memorable experiences. Event organizers must also pay attention to diversity as diversity has become even more important recently. Another key factor to keep in mind when organizing events is the increased popularity of mobile technology.
Skills Required
Event Planning is definitely not for the faint-hearted or inflexible. An Event Planner requires a tremendous amount of organization and communication ability. An Event Planner must be very detail-oriented. They must also be highly adaptable to manage last minute changes. They must also be very solutions-focused.
Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX)
An initiative of the Convention Industry Council to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the MEEC Industries.
Seminar
This type of event involves a group of participants who study under an expert or professional. This type of event usually consists of around 10 to 50 attendees only and focuses in-depth on one main topic only. For example, the Personal Safety & Self Protection event led by a firemen. The main purpose of this type of event is to instruct and train attendees.
Consumer show
This type of event enables vendors to showcase their products and services, prototypes and inventions and bring them to the attention of new potential buyers. Vendors can interact directly with their customers and increase their sales. This type of event is a great way to get like-minded merchants and customers in a single location. Attendees may have to pay a small entry fee. This event is open to the general public.
Event Planning
A relatively new field that combines all the steps involved with the professional planning of a convention, ceremony, meeting, and other types of events.
Event Budget
About 30% of the money available to organize an event is commonly spent on marketing and promotion. About 30% is spent of speakers and providing entertainment. About 20% will be spent on the venue where the event is held. A large portion of the money will also go into providing food and drinks for attendees. These are the main expenses of events.
Results of establishing Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX)
Eased communication and sharing data, enhanced customer service, streamlined systems and processes, less duplication of effort and better educated, more professional employees.
Conference
A very large event with thousands of attendees. These types of events are usually held in large conference centers in cities or hotels where thousands of attendees can attend.
Meeting
A type of event where two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics. This type of event happens most commonly in a formal or business setting. However, this type of event can also occur in a variety of other environments, such as in a boat cruise. This type of event can be used as form of group decision making.
Careers in the MEEC Industry
Meeting Planner, Wedding Planner, Exhibition Planner, Hotel or Conference Center Sales, and Entertainment and Sports Events Planners and Salesmen.
Six Major Divisions of Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions Industry (MEEC).
Lodging, Food and Beverage, Transportation, Attractions, Entertainment, and Insurance.
Example of an Event Goal
Have 15% more ticket sales than the previous time we held this same event. Increase ticket sales by the end of this month.