SOURCE: Harvard Business Review
Great leaders are those who can inspire their employees to commit 100 percent to something bigger than themselves; who care about their workers and who understands their needs. Yet being a great leader often means making tough decisions, having hard conversations and following through quickly -- even when it hurts.

SOURCE: CMO.com
The numbers prove that gaming is everywhere, and brands are using in-game tie-ins to influence gamer mindsets while simultaneously drawing more accurate information on their target markets and enhancing their brand awareness.

SOURCE: Forbes
Rather than relying on the fallen-out relationships of more established organizations for business prospects, entrepreneurial startups are finding that partnering with larger incumbent organizations often leads to broader avenues for contact, exposure and information.

SOURCE: TSNN News
Debuting at the Pepsi Center WTC March 21-24, the Mexico City Comic Con is expected to draw attendees from across the country as well as the U.S. and Latin America. The show will feature more than 200 exhibitors, plus live performances, interactive activities and a host of speakers from the publishing and programming industries.

SOURCE: Fast Company
Shifting from vacation to work mode is tough enough without the overflowing email and voicemail inboxes. So, rather than diving straight in, take a few minutes to create a plan of action that can improve productivity now and for the future.

SOURCE: Exhibition World
Taking your brand's concept to the physical world gives event attendees a broader understanding of the message being conveyed. But realizing consumer experience is not always such a straightforward proposition.

SOURCE: Inc.com
Flipping the script on the social hierarchy of today's workforce, the rise of gig economies and on-demand, freelance work has outpaced the traditional 9-5, 5-day workweek mode. The on-demand platform is so successful, traditional employers are becoming more competitive with salaries and scheduling to fill their own needs.

SOURCE: International Meetings Review
With an edict to treat the travel and tourism industry as the "main battlefield" in its ongoing trade war with the U.S., an English-language newspaper in China warns that Chinese citizens may be influenced to turn away from doing business in the U.S. -- a move that could have adversely affect the event and exhibition industry.

SOURCE: CEIR blog
In the afterglow of the event, organizers should consider a new marketing strategy for keeping in touch with their audience and partners -- and more importantly, for keeping your brand awareness high -- throughout the year.