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Tech Trends: Must-See New Tools for Badge Printing, Exhibitor Engagement, and More 📲

Event tech is evolving fast... and the latest innovations are focused on making the attendee and exhibitor experience more seamless, data-driven, and engaging.

In TSNN’s newest Tech Trends roundup, we explore emerging tools for on-demand badge printing, exhibitor engagement, attendee networking, and event operations that are helping organizers streamline workflows and create more meaningful event experiences. As expectations for personalization and efficiency continue to rise, these technologies are becoming essential components of the modern event toolkit.

Read the full story: https://www.tsnn.com/event-tech/tech-trends-must-see-new-tools-for-badge-printing-exhibitor-engagement-and-more?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

Tech Trends: Must-See New Tools for Badge Printing and More TSNN takes a deep dive into the newest tech solutions for trade shows, plus the latest must-know industry news.

Face-to-Face Still Wins: Exhibitors Spend More on Trade Shows Than Any Other Channel ✍️

New research from CEIR reinforces what many in the industry already know: trade shows remain the most important channel in the B2B marketing mix.

In her latest analysis, CEIR VP of Research Nancy Drapeau, IPC examines how exhibitors allocate their total marketing budgets across channels, and the findings are striking. Nearly a decade after CEIR last conducted this study, trade shows still command 41% of marketing spend, making them the single largest marketing investment for exhibitors.

The data points to the enduring value of face-to-face engagement and the resilience of exhibitions in an increasingly complex marketing landscape.

Read Nancy's full analysis to learn what the numbers reveal about the role of trade shows in today's B2B marketing strategy ⬇️
https://www.tsnn.com/exhibitors/exhibitor-marketing-budgets-part-ii-where-b2b-exhibitions-sit-in-the-marketing-mix?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

Inside the in Chicago 🍽️

55,000+ foodservice professionals returned to McCormick Place for the 105th edition of The National Restaurant Association Show by Informa and the show floor delivered a full sensory experience

Among the standout moments:
🔸 Hormel Foods debuted a Spam hot dog on a Hawaiian sweet bun topped with pineapple relish
🔸 CAYE’s robotic barista served lattes personalized with attendees’ selfies in the foam
🔸 Red Bull wowed crowds with cocktails, mocktails, and an F1 car suspended vertically above its booth
🔸 Middleby kept attendees fueled with slushies, shakes, refreshers, and espresso made with its newest beverage equipment

Those activations were just a taste of what attendees experienced. The event brought together foodservice and hospitality professionals from around the world for four days of product discovery, networking, live demos, and business insights.

Get the full scoop with TSNN at the link below:
https://www.tsnn.com/trade-shows-conferences/inside-the-2026restaurantshow-in-chicago?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

World Cup Host Cities Seize the Global Spotlight ⚽️

In part three of our series, TSNN takes a closer look at how Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Seattle and Mexico City plan to leverage the global spotlight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attract future conventions, meetings and major events. As the tournament enters its highest-stakes rounds, these cities will host the knockout matches, semifinals and final, moments when worldwide attention is at its peak.

From stadium districts and transit improvements to large-scale public infrastructure projects, each destination is using the World Cup as a platform to showcase its long-term event readiness and global appeal.

👉 Get the full article with TSNN below.
https://www.tsnn.com/venues-destinations/world-cup-host-cities-final-5-these-cities-take-the-global-spotlight-as-the-playing-field-narrows?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

World Cup Cities Take the Global Spotlight In part three of our series, TSNN offers a sneak peek into Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Seattle and Mexico City.

BREAKING NEWS: Messe München Asia Appoints New CEO 📣

MMI Asia has appointed Nino Gruettke as its new CEO, effective June 1. Gruettke brings more than 21 years of experience in the international trade show and events industry and will lead Messe München’s Southeast Asia subsidiary during a pivotal period of regional growth and expansion.

Prior to joining MMI Asia, Gruettke served as senior vice president of international events at Semafor, based in Dubai. His background also includes leadership roles at Informa and as CEO Asia for a B2B media group, where he oversaw business growth across China and Southeast Asia.

Join us in celebrating this major accomplishment! Read all about it at the 🔗 below.
https://www.tsnn.com/people-career-development/messe-m-nchen-asia-appoints-new-ceo?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

One to Watch: RX CFO Michèle Tiley-Hill 🔍

At RX Global, change is constant. Different markets, cultures and pressures. A global portfolio of events that never stands still. For RX CFO Michele Tiley-Hill, leading finance in that environment has never been just about forecasts and reporting cycles. It’s about people... creating space for growth, backing teams when it matters and giving people the confidence to step forward.

After beginning her career at KPMG and moving through media, sport and entertainment, Tiley-Hill brings a leadership perspective shaped by fast-moving, live-event environments where resilience, connection and energy matter. She’s also a long-time advocate for inclusion through the Women in Exhibitions Network: North America, championing greater visibility and opportunity across the industry.

Tiley-Hill shares the leadership principle that guides her most: generosity. “Generosity and collaboration have always been deeply meaningful to me, both professionally and personally,” she said. “When we choose to give, we gain so much more in return.”

👉 Read the full article below.
https://www.tsnn.com/people-career-development/one-to-watch-rx-cfo-mich-le-tiley-hill?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

One to Watch: RX CFO Michèle Tiley-Hill Leadership Lessons From the C-Suite: 10 Ways to Inspire a Trade Show Team

BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Whitten Takes the Helm at Visit Fort Worth 🤝

Visit Fort Worth has promoted COO Mitch Whitten to CEO, positioning the longtime tourism executive to lead the city’s rapidly growing visitor and convention economy. Whitten will oversee advancement of Fort Worth’s $3.6 billion hospitality industry, which supports 30,000 jobs, attracts 1.7 million overnight visitors annually from beyond 50 miles, and generates $280 million in state and local taxes, according to Visit Fort Worth’s 2025 State of the Fort Worth Visitor study.

The report also identified Fort Worth as the nation’s fastest-growing tourism destination over the past five years. “This is an important moment for Fort Worth,” said Whitten. “The city’s investments in the convention center, Dickies Arena and other hospitality venues and attractions create a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver jobs and support local business.”

Get the full scoop with TSNN's report ⬇️
https://www.tsnn.com/people-career-development/visit-fort-worth-names-ceo?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

Mitch Whitten Takes the Helm at Visit Fort Worth The Texas destination marketing organization promotes Mitch Whitten from COO to CEO

How Trade Show Organizers Can Use AI To Improve Sponsor Prospecting ⚙️

Backtrack Co-Founder Hunter McKinley shares how AI tools can turn competitor sponsor pages and public event data into organized prospect lists in minutes, helping organizers identify and prioritize sales opportunities faster.

"When we speak on stages about AI and sales workflows, we hear the same problem from organizers again and again: Sponsor prospecting takes too much time."

The right companies are already sponsoring similar events, appearing on exhibitor lists, and investing in the same audience. AI helps compress the manual work by finding companies, organizing lists, prioritizing prospects, and drafting outreach using tools teams already know like ChatGPT, Google Sheets, and email.

Check out the workflow at the link below 🔗
https://www.tsnn.com/event-tech/how-trade-show-organizers-can-use-ai-to-improve-sponsor-prospecting?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial

How Organizers Can Use AI To Improve Sponsor Prospecting Backtrack Co-Founder Hunter McKinley shares how AI tools can turn competitor sponsor pages and public event data into organized prospect lists in minutes.

Exclusive Report: Inside the TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List 📃

The TSNN Top 250 reveals it’s not just about size... it’s about relevance, resilience, and repeatable value. The industry’s leading events know exactly who they serve and how to deliver measurable results year after year.

The data also confirms the continued dominance of cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, and Anaheim, not just for venue capacity, but for their infrastructure, operational expertise, and flexibility for growing events.

📣 "The insight for organizers: space should follow strategy, not tradition."

The takeaway: winning events choose locations that support both operational success and attendee experience, not simply the biggest buildings.
https://www.tsnn.com/trade-shows-conferences/tsnn-top-trade-show-list?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNTop250

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Anything Is Possible If You Can Imagine It 💭

Located in the heart of Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center is more than a venue... it’s a global destination for events that inspire, educate, and drive economic impact. From industry-leading conferences and international trade shows to fan expos and athletic championships, the OCCC welcomes millions of attendees each year with world-class hospitality, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched service.

Powered by strong partnerships and a commitment to excellence, the Center continues to shape the future of events in Central Florida and beyond.

👇 Discover why the Orange County Convention Center is where world-class events happen.
https://www.tsnn.com/venues-destinations/anything-is-possible-if-you-can-imagine-it?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TSNNeditorial