B-to-B Events

 Creating an Experiential Marketing Department from Scratch  

 Deborah Nelson, senior vp-marketing at HP, gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look into how HP’s marketing department is leading the charge within its organization to fully leverage and realize the power of social media. She encouraged attendees to become agents of change, too. “We need to take a fresh look at how we define marketing,” she said. A few highlights from Nelson’s presentation:

3D is making a comeback. The technology that had kids in ’50s cinemas wearing silly paper glasses as they watched “Man in the Dark” and “It Came from Outer Space” is back—and it’s better than ever. But let’s not give James Cameron and his hit movie “Avatar” all the credit. Brand marketers at Coca-Cola, Motorola, Visa and others are incorporating 3D into blockbuster events, too.

In anticipation of Earth Day on April 22, The Advertising Specialty Institute published its first-ever list of top ecofriendly giveaway items.

1. ELEPHANT-POO NOTEBOOK Yes, it’s made from elephant poop. No, it doesn’t smell like elephant poop.

2. BAMBOO DINNERWARE You’ve seen the utensils, now check out the plates and bowls. 3. SEED-PAPER POSTCARD Branded, biodegradable cards that sprout flowers when they’re planted.

Did you know that most of the surplus food from your trade shows, conferences and events can be donated to food banks—with no liability to either your company or the food service establishment? The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which was signed into law by President Clinton in October of 1996, protects food donors from civil and criminal liability at national and state levels. Yet many event marketers, hotels and restaurants don’t know that they’re covered.