Following its highly acclaimed inaugural showcase in 2010, BizBash, today’s leading authority on the events industry, returns for its second annual BizBash Florida Expo, sponsored by The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, taking place on Tuesday, April 12 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m.
After a hugely successful first year and with the industry craving for more, the second annual installment of BizBash Florida Expo will bring together the state’s largest gathering of event and meeting professionals and feature some of today’s most acclaimed pioneers in production, design, catering, hospitality and lifestyle. This year’s Expo will feature some new additions to its schedule of events, developed to inspire and innovate the anticipated 1500 attendees expected at this year’s showcase.
“We are thrilled to be back for a second year of our annual BizBash Florida Expo in one of the most emerging and inspiring markets in the corporate events industry today,” says David Adler, founder and C.E.O. of BizBash Media. “This year we celebrate our 10th Anniversary of BizBash Media and while we look back at how the events industry has flourished over the last decade, we look forward towards developing new and exciting ways in which we can empower each and every individual in the business, not only through our publications and resources, but with the BizBash Expo series of events that bring the entire industry together under one roof.”
BizBash Florida Expo will feature over 130 exhibitors to inspire, educate and entertain. The show floor will not only bring fresh ideas, local to the sunshine state, but provide access to special guest appearances by renowned specialists in the event and corporate planning industry who are at the cutting-edge of their own field of expertise.
Lee Brian Schrager, vice president of corporate communication and national events for Southern Wine and Spirits of America will be a keynote speaker, taking attendees “behind-the-scenes” at The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival that has just celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary.
America’s sassiest Lifestyle Guru, Steve Kemble, will make a keynote presentation to share his “Sassiest” secrets from the red carpet and how to work with celebrities to “Sell-up” your event. Kemble shares his stories from the red carpet and behind-the-scenes with the celebrities he has worked with at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the American Music Awards, as well as his tips on how to attract celebrities to increase the visibility of an event.
Howard Givner, Executive Director of the Event Leadership Institute, will make a special presentation on “The Business Accelerator for the Independent Planner.” Whether a solo planner or managing a team in an agency, this program led by Howard Givner will cover a wide range of business training topics critical to a company’s success.
BizBash is proud to honor the very best in Florida’s event creativity for the very first time, with the premier of the BizBash Florida Expo Event Style Awards. The presentation ceremony will award individuals and groups in 16 categories, ranging from Best Nonprofit Event Concept to Best New Venue. Hundreds of submissions have been gathered by the BizBash management team for this most prestigious award presentation of well-earned industry accolades.
The introduction of the first BizBash Readers’ Choice Awards honors the best of the local event industry, nominated and voted by the readers themselves in ten categories, including: Corporate Event Planner of the Year, DJ of the Year, Event Caterer of the Year, Event Designer of the Year, Event Producer of the Year, Lighting Designer of the Year, Nonprofit/Association Event Planner of the Year, Publicist/PR Executive of the Year, Social Event Planner of the Year and Venue Manager of the Year.
As the largest industry trade show in the region, BizBash Florida Expo offers industry vendors the ultimate opportunity to connect with event and meeting professionals from across the Southeast. This year’s trade show floor will include more than 130 exhibitors, including the first Miami Design District booth, featuring an exclusive appearance by celebrity Iron Chef, Michelle Bernstein, as well as Ken Lyon from the District’s Italian restaurant, Fratelli Lyon.
BizBash Expo Florida offers a new outreach program to help reach the top planners from Latin American cities. Latin American planners and industry specialists are invited to attend the BizBash Florida Expo and Awards for a three-day incentive experience in South Florida.
The Design Lab with an Industry Leader allows attendees to create and design their very own masterpiece on the show floor in this hands-on session led by event pro Donald Braun, President of Donald Braun Events, LLC.
The BizBash Social Media Lounge allows attendees to get acquainted with Twitter, and amplify their brand through social media by connecting with event professionals at the BizBash Florida Expo. From the pre-show reception to the BizBash Social Media Lounge and post-Expo party, there are more opportunities than ever before to network and fuel creativity.
Actions Stations on the Expo Floor provide brand new interactive stations, showcasing the latest in Florida’s event trends. From book signings to ice carving demonstrations, these flash sessions will fuel cutting-edge creativity and provide inspirational ideas.
With The International Special Events Society (ISES) Tabletop Competition, attendees will be able to view the creative prowess of established designers on display. Designers will create their tabletop visions, and the displays will be available for viewing during the entire day of the Expo. Winners will be announced at the Expo’s Morning Keynote Session.
In addition to the featured keynote speakers and host of other presentations, the Morning General Session will include presentations and a conference program led by today’s industry experts on a wide range of subjects effecting the market today, including: Clearing the Path for Success: How to Boost Your Productivity; The New Measurement Standards for Green and Sustainable Events; The Latest Ideas in Online Marketing to Help You Engage Customers and Break Cultural Barriers and The 7 Biggest Trends Affecting Events and How to Exploit Them.
After the Trade Show Floor opens at 11:00 a.m., the Afternoon General Session will include a series of stage presentations and seminars on desirable topics, including: The Fast-Changing Face of Multigenerational Marketing Strategies and Invitation Trends: Affordable Luxury in 2011 among others.
Throughout the Expo, attendees will be astounded by the innovative LIVE entertainment scheduled, that includes performances by: 42Five, The New Century Dance Company; China White, Promobot, Sing!, So Cool Events, Zhantra Entertainment and with a live performance during the Expo’s post-show cocktail reception and industry mixer by Miami’s masters of minimalist electronica, organicArma.
This year’s signature event not only presents an industry insider’s guide, showcasing the latest developments in technology, products and services but also provides with the ideal networking environment for event aficionados or aspiring professionals to connect with thousands of other experts in the field.
A one-day Expo Floor Pass starts at $60 with pre-registration (Early Bird at $50) and includes access to the trade show floor, general sessions, Event Style Awards and Readers’ Choice Awards, on-floor entertainment, mini sessions and post-show cocktail reception. A conference pass, for those who pre-register, starts at $150 (Early Bird at $135), and includes a pre-show continental breakfast, access to trade show floor, general sessions, Event Style Awards and Readers’ Choice Awards, on-floor entertainment, mini sessions and post-show cocktail reception.
For further information on all registration packages and for a full schedule of events, visit www.bizbashfloridaexpo.com