SISO
Buying into the future
SISO CEO Summit 2024 breaks records , reports Stephanie Selesnick
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Independent Show Organisers ( SISO ) CEO Summit 2024 was held in April at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island , FL . The conference broke records with 35 new members in attendance and over 300 organisers and industry suppliers . Lisa Hannant , CEO Clarion Events took over as chair from Mary Larkin , Americas CEO , Arc Network .
A farewell , a congrats , and a solar eclipse Freeman ’ s Carrie Parsons-Freeman and Janet Dell led a toast to Bob Priest-Heck , celebrating his long career and upcoming retirement . Nancy Walsh , president North America , Informa Markets , was awarded the Robert Krakoff award , SISO ’ s highest honour .
Delegates participating in the day before Women ’ s Forum and Small Business Roundtable took a break to view the solar eclipse , safely .
Educational sessions Speakers ranged from political and economic experts to those covering customer-centricity for success , advice from B2C events for the B2B event space , to commerce through sustainability , to mergers and acquisitions ( M & A ) – a long staple of conversation for the organisation .
Anirban Basu , Sage Policy Group and Daniel Lippman from Politico took the stage to discuss , ‘ Navigating a complex and changing environment ’.
While Basu last year predicted the US was going to have a recession in 2023 , it failed to appear . He is not sure about another one in 2024 ( maybe 2025 or 2026 ?), much to the audience ’ s relief . He mentioned the US economy grew 2.2 % and that consumer spending is strong , particularly in services , including travel . Hotel occupancy is on the rise , too .
Lippman said while the Biden
Administration ’ s economic data is good , there is a disconnect with people pessimistic about the US economy . The ex-president Trump is still popular , meanwhile , despite 91 indictments and facing a cash crunch .
Customer focus The session , ‘ Preparing for future success : The key to unlocking value for your organisation by focusing on your customer ’, with Hervé Sedky , Emerald Holdings , Inc ., Michelle Metter , Fast Forward Events , Paul Miller , Questex , and Hugh Jones , RELX plc , covered how industries are listening to customers . Jones suggested asking event directors the following question : ‘ What is the value proposition of your show by segment ?’ This includes buyers and exhibitors , demographics , company size , etc .
Miller said that Questex takes the data from digital content interest ( clicks , opens , interactions ) and shares it with event directors . The areas and specifics of said interest is then used to develop event / digital programing , including speaker selection , creating educational sessions and content .
Metter shared how Fast Forward Events uses ‘ social listening ’ tools to find strategic shifts and get more vertical depth on the industries they serve . They want to find their clients ’ “ pain points then deliver solutions via our shows .” She noted that Unique Selling Propositions ( USPs ) may shift as a show matures and industries change .
Left : The value proposition was emphasised by Hugh Jones
New perspective ‘ A new perspective on innovation and experience – new entrants to the for-profit event landscape ’, with Lance Fensterman , Fanatics Events ; Dierdre Connolly , Bravocon and Bravo ’ s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , and Aaron Levant , NTWRK ( ComplexCon for sneakers ),
12 Issue 3 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk