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The Special Event Show Review
The Special Event Conference and Trade Show celebrated its 30th year at the 2015 conference in Anaheim, California. The Special Event (TSE) is one of the largest conferences for the events industry. It takes place in a different location each year over three days in early January. Over 5,000 people attend the TSE conference each year.
TSE includes an education track with more than 60 available classes taught by experts in the events industry. The conference also includes a large trade show with more than 200 exhibitors ranging from décor and lighting to software and entertainment companies.I have attended many industry conferences in the past ten years but this was my first time attending TSE. My first impression was that they really know how to run a large conference. My experience with registration and with the staff was excellent. Conference rooms were well labeled, each attendee received a booklet of information with the full schedule, class locations, tradeshow map, and tradeshow exhibitor list. I stayed at the Anaheim Marriott which hosted the conference along with the Anaheim Convention Center. My experience with the hotel was excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful. There was a full Starbucks inside the hotel – I think this should be a requirement for all conference locations!
The opening session was one of my favorite things at the conference. Along with a comedian, one of the speakers (who was quite the comedian herself), acted out a hilarious day-in-the-life skit of an event planner. It was so funny and realistic. The entire crowd of thousands was in hysterics.
Choosing classes to attend was a bit challenging: mainly because there were so many offered at the same time. The wedding track was a bit basic for my experience level but would be very helpful to a newer planner or for a planner looking for specific topics such as booking Asian clients or planning a wedding in Latin America. The business track had some good options and the design tract was great for wedding planners.
The trade show was fantastic. There were over 200 exhibitors who specialize in the events industry, all in one room eager to show off their products and services. I spent hours browsing, taking photos, and talking with exhibitors. This was definitely the best trade show I have been to for our industry. I found a few new tools, décor ideas, and technology that I am really excited about for my planning business.
Overall, the conference was focused on the larger side of the events industry such as planning and production for large corporate events. As an experienced wedding planner, I found the trade show to be most helpful along with the classes on design. I also enjoyed catching up with planner friends from across the country, as well as meeting new planners and service providers. Sometimes I feel stuck in our little world of wedding and party planning but this conference reminded me of how huge and amazing the events industry is as a whole.
Have you attended The Special Event Conference in the past? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
A complete set of templates, checklists, and tools for professional wedding planners.
Business
Wedding Planning
Marketing
Day in the Life
Self Development
Friday Favorites
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