WOCNext 2024: Partnership delivers record exhibitors and sponsorships

WOCNext is an annual event hosted by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), aimed at educating and inspiring healthcare professionals worldwide about advancements in wound, ostomy, continence, foot and nail care. As the only educational event of the year organized by healthcare professionals for their peers, WOCNext offers the latest evidence-based education, valuable professional development and an inclusive environment that fosters a sense of community.

In 2023, WOCN® wanted to expand the reach and impact of WOCNext. They needed a new team to revitalize their exhibit hall with fresh ideas. The goals were to grow the event by increasing exhibitor participation, securing new sponsorships and enhancing attendee engagement. To achieve these goals, they partnered with MCI USA, leveraging the company’s expertise in event management and sales.

Results

MCI USA implemented a comprehensive strategy to meet WOCN®’s objectives for WOCNext 2024.

▪️ Exhibitor expansion: MCI USA brought in 25 new exhibitors for WOCNext 2024. They won back 14 exhibitors who had not participated since at least 2022 through a targeted “win-back” marketing campaign. Additionally, booth upgrades were facilitated for nine exhibitors. These efforts resulted in 126 exhibitors for 2024, a nearly 7% increase from 2023. MCI USA also focused on new categories to diversify the exhibitor base, based on attendee feedback from previous surveys.

▪️ Sponsorship growth: MCI USA introduced new sponsorship opportunities, including branding initiatives, Bingo, park benches and turnkey packages. They generated $67,000 in net new sponsorship revenue.

▪️ Onsite rebooking success: MCI USA contracted 79% of 2024 exhibit revenue for 2025 during this event. They secured 63 companies on-site, representing 50% of the 2024 exhibitors, and booked 18,100 square feet, accounting for 63% of the 2024 floor space. Also, they facilitated booth upgrades for four companies, adding an additional 900 square feet.

▪️ Additional achievements: MCI USA revamped the floor plan, reconceptualizing the layout to enhance exhibitor and attendee experience.

“In our inaugural year together, our partnership has surpassed expectations and redefined success with exceptional exhibitor participation and sponsorship revenue,” said WOCN’s chief staff executive.

The partnership between MCI USA and WOCN led to the event’s success. Exhibitor participation and sponsorship revenue increased significantly. In the first year working together, MCI USA surpassed the revenue goal by 4.5%. This smooth transition involved building strong rapport and trust, demonstrating MCI USA’s capability to enhance event revenue. Their practical strategies and efficient execution ensured WOCNext remained a leading event in the healthcare sector.