Event Report: The Challenge of Wowing an Exhibitions and Events Trade Association in Anaheim

Standing from left to right:
Candace Bisconte, Mindy Abel, Debbie Juliani, Janet Elkins and Jessica Barganski.
Front Row: Brynne Peña and Lindsey Walker.

The Event: Expo! Expo! Opening Event
Date: December 6, 2016, 7-10:30pm
Guest Count: 1,500 - 2,000
Location: Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza

Event Producer Brynne Peña:
"We had the wonderful opportunity to work with our partners and friends from Visit Anaheim, ACCESS - Orange County and Aramark in Orange County, California, last week to kick off Expo! Expo!, the 2016 IAEE Conference. Our common goal: to highlight Anaheim's many facets outside of the immediate Disneyland and Convention Center area to approximately 2,000 exhibition and event professionals.

We brought the most exciting aspects of this ever more cosmopolitan city into the Grand Plaza."



It was a pleasure to produce the headline entertainment: Andy Grammer, who delivered an energized, tight set that had the crowd dancing and cheering.

Mindy Abel, CMP, CTA.

Senior Vice President, Strategy & Development, Visit Anaheim:

"Anaheim offers a variety of options to meeting, trade shows and events. 

Our dining scene continues to thrive, with unique tastes popping up 

throughout Anaheim.

Our Convention campus, which includes 4000 guest rooms footsteps from the Anaheim Convention Center, can accommodate large city wide groups to multiple meetings and events occurring simultaneously. It’s easy to navigate, convenient and it allows groups to be the main focus when here.

The IAEE guest reaction was great! All week we heard how we blew them away, best opening event ever…a lot of "I’ve been attending IAEE for over 10 years and never experienced an opening so fantastic and memorable". 

We loved the Twitter reaction!" 

Anaheim has developed into an American capital of craft beer brewing and many new, eclectic restaurants have energized the local culinary scene in recent years. On Opening Night guests could chose from a large variety of cuisines from Anaheim's best food trucks who lined the Grand Plaza as part of the event.

We added a Whisky and Cigar Bar Vignette and a Brew and Wine Grotto at the Western end of the plaza. This area provided a quieter, sophisticated seating area for networking and conversation.

The end result: Destination Anaheim really impressed our guests!

 Candace Bisconte, Partner, ACCESS - Orange County:

“It’s always a pleasure to come together as a team to create important events such as IAEE’s Welcome Reception on the Grand Plaza.

We are especially proud that we can showcase so many great event components and talent each time we design something for an engaged client."

We are very grateful to our wonderful friends and partners for this collaboration.

Mindy Abel, CMP, CTA. Senior Vice President, Strategy & Development, Visit Anaheim

Debbie Juliani, Director of Marketing, Aramark

Candace Bisconte, Partner, ACCESS - Orange County.

Photo Credits:

Event photos: many thanks to John Fitzpatrick, allure:ventures

Group Shot: Greg Bisconte/ ACCESS - Orange County