From the Publisher
It's Official: Idea Factory is Best Conference and Expo!
by Pat McCarrell | Published in April 2007 Departments
Awards season is highly anticipated by the events community — after all, shows like the Academy Awards and the parties around it are the “celebrities” of the events world. This year, though the before and after parties just got better and better, the actual ceremony was a bit of a snoozer. Watching celebrities accept awards just doesn’t thrill like it used to. Maybe it’s because our celebrity-obsessed culture is now used to seeing stars getting coffee or going to the gym in the pages of publications like Us Weekly or Star.
However, being on the receiving end of an award reminded us here at Event Solutions why those types of honors are so important. We are pleased to announce that our 2006 trade show and conference, the Idea Factory: Events, Education, Expo, won the gold FAME award presented by FOLIO magazine (the bible of the magazine publishing industry) for Best Conference and Expo. Held in Denver last year, the Idea Factory beat out the event O! You by The Oprah Magazine to win the top FOLIO: Awards for Magazine Events award in its category.
The award nomination process included seven essay questions and photo and video submissions of the Idea Factory 2006 to FOLIO’s panel of judges.
Aspects of the Idea Factory that contributed to its win include the following:
More than 200 exhibitors brought the newest products to the trade show floor. Featured speaker and event giant Michael Cerbelli presented “Hot Event and Entertainment Ideas” to an overflowing audience.
The “Keep it Pure” and catering showcases brought hundreds of people together to demonstrate the best event execution possible — live!
Real-time construction of an event space during Project GRAMMY allowed attendees to see new ideas in action, not just the final product. GRAMMY Vice President of Production Branden Chapman said of the competition, “I was extremely surprised with the well-executed and well-thought-out delivery of every team’s concept…they really took our brand to the next level.”
FOLIO judges also awarded top honors to the Idea Factory based on its success in connecting an increased number of event professionals with event suppliers and service vendors, and facilitating demonstration of the latest products, equipment and services through the following innovative strategies:
Pavilion formats on the show floor facilitated connections between planners and vendors and allowed greater flexibility in exhibition spaces.
A record-breaking number of attendees came to the trade show floor and to evening events where products and services were showcased in action — with contributing event pros on hand to explain their work.
Through Event Solutions’ new partnership with the American Express OPEN card for small business owners, 72 attendees were able to attain new financial planning resources they needed to grow their businesses.
The Idea Factory 2006 will be featured in an upcoming FOLIO Magazine Event Strategies article. Winning the award was a good reminder for our entire staff why we give out our Event Solutions Spotlight and Event Industry Hall of Fame awards to the best in the event profession. It just feels good when someone else realizes you’re doing something right. Professional recognition and honoring peers and partners is an essential part of the industry, and we’re looking forward to receiving Spotlight Award applications from nominees here in the next few months. Plus, now we’re even more excited for a bigger and better 2007 Idea Factory in Miami Beach, Aug. 20-23!
About the author: Pat McCarrell
Pat McCarrell was formerly the publisher and editor of Event Solutions magazine.
Contact: editor@event-solutions.com