(Image provided by SISO)
by Chris Kappes, Exhibit City News
Presidents, Owners, and CEOs of for-profit show organizers are buzzing about the recent SISO 2024 annual conference.
The annual conference held this year at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Amelia Island, Fla., brought together the “who’s who” of for-profit show organizers and industry suppliers. With over 300 registered attendees, the Summit marked a return to pre-pandemic levels, signaling a resurgence of interest and activity in the sector. Vinnie Polito, SISO CEO, remarked that the event surpassed its 2019 counterpart, attracting a diverse mix of industry stalwarts and emerging executives from various regions globally.
Conference attendees engaged in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics crucial to the industry’s future, such as AI, sustainability, generational shifts, building communities beyond events, attendee personalization, and mergers & acquisitions. It was an invaluable opportunity for networking, content sharing, and gaining insights into the trajectory of the tradeshow industry.
Educational sessions were curated to provide actionable insights for industry leaders. Notable presentations included an economic outlook by Anirban Basu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Sage Policy Group, who highlighted the economy’s positive trajectory despite lingering inflation concerns. Daniel Lippman of Politico added his perspective on the divisive political climate and impact on the 2024 Presidential Race.
Ken Holsinger of Freeman and Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes of MDG shed light on attendee and exhibitor expectations, emphasizing areas of convergence and divergence between the two groups. A panel comprising industry luminaries Hervé Sedky of Emerald and Hugh Jones of RX discussed actionable strategies aligned with findings from the latest Freeman trends report, emphasizing customer-centric approaches and innovative recruitment practices.
The summit also featured insights from diverse sectors, including a presentation by Joey Graziano of the NBA on creating impactful event experiences. Discussions on technology’s role in the events industry, led by Richard Harbridge of 2toLead, and the intersection of sustainability and business, led by Carlotta Mast of Informa Markets’ New Hope Network, underscored the importance of innovation and responsible practices in driving industry growth.
M&A activity emerged as a prominent theme, with sessions dedicated to dissecting deal structures and growth strategies through acquisitions. Leaders such as Lisa Hannant of Clarion Events and Russel Wilcox of Clarion Events discussed their organizations’ M&A strategies and lessons learned, highlighting the significance of cultural alignment in successful transactions.
The event culminated with the presentation of the 2024 Krakoff Industry Award of Excellence to Nancy Walsh, recognizing her significant contributions to the trade show industry.
Looking ahead, the 2024 SISO Leadership Conference scheduled for August 13-15 in Philadelphia promises to be another milestone gathering for industry leaders to exchange ideas and drive innovation forward.
For more about SISO, please visit their website: https://www.siso.org/
