This past week I attended the Iowa League of Cities Conference as an exhibitor. I have attended this same conference type in the states of Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming & North Dakota. The organizers of conference executed the best municipal conference & expo I have yet attended. What made this event so successful? There are four things that caught my attention:
- The conference coordinator promoted this event well in advance with the show attendees and show exhibitors.
- The conference expo had a 70's disco theme. The event coordinator encouraged with incentive the exhibitors to foster this theme in their respective booths. It was great to see many exhibitors do so - even wearing "disco era" apparel. This conference coordinator already is promoting their 2014 conference with a football theme.
- The event coordinator make the expo part of the conference fun for both the attendees and for the exhibitors. They executed various games (Scratch & Win, Twister...) and features to foster a very fun. There was good music, good fun and yes an open bar. This focused fun drew attendees to each respective booth - thus allowing the exhibitors the opportunity to engage the attendees more closely.
- The event during was limited, three hours during the evening and then 3 hours the following morning. This limited time period
