8 Ideas From Ignite Business Event Expo to add a Spark to Your Next Event

Ignite Magazine, a Canadian periodical featuring what's hot for event planners, is bright, interactive and jam-packed with innovative ideas. It is, therefore, not surprising that Ignite Business Event Expo (iBe), the magazine's new trade show and conference for corporate event planners, has also been a breath of fresh air.

With wide aisles, elegant displays and creative spaces, it was as if pages from Ignite Magazine had come to life on the showroom floor. For example, at the High/Low Showcase, Decor + More, IceCulture and Caesars Windsor created 3D versions of one of Ignite's popular features.

High Low Challenge

8 Ideas From Ignite Business Event Expo
to add a Spark to Your Next Event

Event, meeting and conference planners can use these ideas immediately to make their next corporate events, conferences or business meetings sparkle:

Provide Inspiration with Mini-Keynotes.

Busy professionals can have short attention spans. Maintaining audience interest and attention will become even more of a challenge as Generation Y makes its way through corporations. Kick off the day with a series of mini-keynotes instead of long keynotes. Keynote speakers included Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-Founders of Free the Children, Sonia Verma and David Chilton.
Make It Easy for Participants to Get Information and Assistance

A large and prominent information area where participants could obtain assistance in a relaxed setting with armchairs was visible upon entering the trade show.
Spark Creativity.

Diva on a Dime showcased what six CanSPEP event planners created on a shoestring budget of $100 to reflect the expo's theme Be the Change!.

Six chefs went head to head to create culinary delights from a mystery basket of ingredients in the IACC Copper Skillet competition

Good to Know Theatre explored a range of issues of relevance to event planners through high energy, interactive sessions (e.g. social media, the joy of eating local, the business case for sustainability)
Engage Participants Through Interactive Experiences.

At Battle of the Beds attendees tried out beds from Westin, Fairmont and Sheraton and voted for their favorites.
Provide Places for Conversations, Relaxation and Networking.
Provide a Place to Connect

Thanks to D.E Systems and Streampoint Solutions, participants were able to pick up e-mail and do printing at Connection Corner
Provide the Piece of Mind of Place to "Plug in"

Participants and exhibitors never had to worry about running out of battery power. The Recharge Zone was a place to drop off mobile devices to be re-charged. The Take it Easy Personal Concierge was on hand to keep the devices safe and also to call cabs, make reservations for dinner and provide Toronto tips.
Create a Non-Networking Space for Participants to Re-charge Their Own Batteries

Skyline Hotel and Resort's Shizen Spa helped guests unwind with massages and mini-spa treatments at The Relaxation Centre.