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1 min read

Photonics West Prep: A Conversation with SPIE's Jeff Nichols

By Mary Crowley on Thu, Dec 21, 2023

Contrary to belief, Photonics West is not just a six-day show featuring the best in optics and photonics research and technology but a months-long marathon of campaign planning and marketing & sales strategy both pre and post-show. Launch Team President, Michele Nichols, chats with the Director of Sales at SPIE, Jeff Nichols, about trade show planning and how to get the greatest ROI at Photonics West.

Topics: Marketing Strategy Trade Show Strategy
5 min read

Smart Moves for Trade Shows 2023/2024

By Michele Nichols on Tue, Sep 19, 2023

Fabtech 2023 kicks off the season with one of the earliest major tradeshows for manufacturers. This 45,000-attendee show alternates cities each year and offers B2B technology companies an early preview of what works and what doesn’t in time for their booth planning for major 1Q 2024 shows like CES and Photonics West.

Topics: Change and Innovation Trade Show Strategy Branding and Identity
2 min read

Catch Launch Team at FABTECH 2022

By Michele Nichols on Wed, Nov 02, 2022

We're headed to FABTECH 2022, November 8-10 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Topics: Trade Show Strategy Manufacturing
2 min read

2022 Photonics Trends and Themes: Photonics West Observations

By Victoria Ferroni on Mon, Feb 07, 2022

Another successful year at Photonics West is in the books! With the show being back in person again since it last was in 2020, we wanted to share some main themes that we observed after attending in person at this year's event.

Topics: Change and Innovation Trade Show Strategy
1 min read

Photonics West 2022: Catch Us Live or Remote

By Michele Nichols on Thu, Jan 20, 2022

We have missed seeing our photonics clients face to face and hope to see many of you at Photonics West January 23-27. We’ll be sharing market insights and marketing best practices and catching up with old friends. Watch for Launch Team at: 

Topics: Company News Trade Show Strategy
3 min read

Best Practices for Tradeshows in Today’s Environment: A look at FABTECH

By Michele Nichols on Fri, Oct 01, 2021

Tradeshows are back, but the best in class aren't back to 'business as usual'--conference organizers and exhibitors are rethinking tradeshow goals and approach post-pandemic. FABTECH was one of the first big industrial conferences to return. What was it like? Who did it well? In-person attendance, by casual observation, felt slightly lighter, but exhibitors were pleased with the booth traffic and quality of leads. FABTECH organizers were committed to a safe, inclusive experience, with hybrid streaming content and pre-recorded educational sessions. As much of the show is capital equipment, exhibitors were faced with a costly decision: live equipment demo or video? 

Topics: Trade Show Strategy
2 min read

We're Back: Meet Launch Team at FABTECH 2021

By Michele Nichols on Thu, Sep 09, 2021

After last year's cancellation, FABTECH 2021 is back live and coming at full speed on September 13-16 in Chicago, Illinois! A lot has happened since FABTECH 2019 — from a dramatic shift to an all-remote environment for over a year, to now a period of re-opening and navigating hybrid workforces and employee engagement. One thing is for sure, we are happy to be back and present at live events. 

Topics: Trade Show Strategy Manufacturing
3 min read

Replacing Trade Show Leads

By Alex Ormond on Wed, May 19, 2021

In the medical device, optics and photonics, consumer electronics, and many other industries, a single first-quarter trade show can generate a significant portion of the year’s leads. Well, 1Q 2021 has come and gone, and many are finding that the virtual events have not been a sufficient replacement.

Topics: Lead Generation Trade Show Strategy
3 min read

Leveraging Existing Technology to Enhance Virtual Events

By Alex Ormond on Thu, Apr 29, 2021

Although many people are waiting to get back to the real trade show floor, virtual events are here for a while longer. In fact, many shows may even maintain hybrid or virtual formats even after floors open back up given the significant cost difference. However, we are repeatedly hearing about the difficulty associated with virtual events. Common challenges include:

Topics: Trade Show Strategy
2 min read

2021 Product Launches: 5 Tactics That Can Replace Trade Shows

By Cameryn Bugman on Wed, Mar 03, 2021

With so many product launch timelines tied to trade shows, it’s a good time to step back and consider how to add an element of excitement, unveiling, and engagement without a live event.

Topics: Marketing Strategy Trade Show Strategy Product Launch
4 min read

Virtual Tradeshow Recommendations: Photonics West is virtual…now what?

By Michele Nichols on Tue, Jan 26, 2021

Whether planned or a last-minute call, the vast majority of 2021 tradeshows will be virtual events. With a variety of offerings, platforms, and formats, it’s hard to know if this is a good investment or if you’re better off diverting the funds to your own marketing and events. Here, we break down one event, Photonics West, but our recommendations and ideas may be worth considering regardless of event or industry.

Topics: Marketing Strategy Change and Innovation Trade Show Strategy
6 min read

FABTECH Canceled: Advanced Manufacturing Market Outlook 2020

By Nate Fuller on Mon, Aug 31, 2020

It's hard to imagine that we will be missing FABTECH 2020 this year, among many other cancelled trade shows. Last year, leading up to FABTECH 2019, we covered the market drivers, upcoming trends, and widespread changes in the advanced manufacturing markets. This year, despite the cancellation, sales and market growth continues.

Topics: Marketing Strategy Trade Show Strategy Tariff Manufacturing