Association Show News

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Aug 30, 2022
A leading exhibit builder and an event planning company recently launched new divisions in an effort to expand their business offerings and help clients boost the performance of their events. Skyline Exhibits Skyline Exhibits, a leading trade show exhibit company, unveiled a new live, virtual and hybrid events agency focused on synchronizing live event elements to increase reach and return on investment. Announced on Aug. 16, BrandSync is designed to help brands improve their business performance by joining with their top stakeholders to align messaging, values and direction, and by… more
Aug 26, 2022
  Destinations International, the world’s largest association for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus, unveiled a groundbreaking tool to measure equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and discover ways to improve upon the results. The EDI Assessment Tool is designed to help its member organizations understand how EDI has been incorporated into their operational practices as a basis to elevate and integrate performance, and it is also expected to be a model for other entities in the business events industry to embrace.  The tool allows users to… more
Aug 18, 2022
Despite the fact that summer tends to be a slower season for the trade show industry, event-related organizations across the country are sizzling with activity, busily forming new business partnerships and acquisitions as they look toward a robust fall and beyond. Take a look! ASM Global Global venue and event strategy and management leader ASM Global has formed a sustainability partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consultant for the hospitality, sports and event industries. Announced on Aug. 17, the multi-year action plan will enable ASM Global facility owners… more
Aug 14, 2022
The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) has named Vinnie (Vincent) Polito as its next CEO, with his firm, VP International, chosen to take over as the management company for the organization. Polito will be replacing David Audrain, CEO of Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo), who has run the association with his team for the past seven years. The selection was recommended by the SISO Executive Committee, which undertook the selection process. The recommendation was unanimously approved by SISO's Board at its Aug. 11 meeting in Oklahoma City, held in conjunction with the… more
Aug 09, 2022
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have teamed up to launch The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), a new annual hospitality trade show and conference scheduled for June 27-29, 2023 at The Venetian Las Vegas.  Designed to be a comprehensive one-stop-shop for hospitality leaders to meet, learn and conduct business across the entire hospitality ecosystem, the new three-day event is designed to reach AHLA’s expansive membership across all segments of the industry, including leading service providers and suppliers, hotel owners and management companies, and senior… more
Aug 02, 2022
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping association, event and corporate clients evolve from legacy-based to data-driven operating models, mdg, A Freeman Company, has launched a new division dedicated to research, data and insights.  Consisting of data strategists, scientists, analysts and experts specializing in collecting and evaluating market research and intelligence, this newly-formed department’s mission is to help clients capitalize on technological advances to reach new audiences and create more personal and human customer journeys, from marketing campaigns to meaningful… more
Jul 26, 2022
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released its latest flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research report, designed to take the pulse of the global exhibition industry, with results pointing to a continued wave of positivity.  Concluded in June 2022, the 29th edition of the bi-annual survey includes data from 366 companies across 57 countries and regions, and outlooks and analysis for 23 focus countries and regions, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,… more
Jul 18, 2022
After a two-year hiatus, industry leaders, innovators, experts, artists and creators harmoniously reunited at The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference for global music product, pro audio and sound and entertainment technology industry professionals. Held June 3-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., the streamlined, three-day platform for the $17 billion music products industry pivoted back to face-to-face by welcoming a smaller but serious audience of 46,627 attendees from more than 111 countries and… more
Jul 14, 2022
E3, the world’s largest and most important event in the video gaming industry, will make its long-awaited in-person return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in June 2023. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) teamed with boutique RX Global division ReedPop, the veteran event production company behind PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration and other acclaimed pop culture events, to produce E3 2023. The event will reunite global gaming industry developers, manufacturers, buyers, licensors and media professionals for a week of momentous reveals, earth-shaking world premieres… more
Jul 08, 2022
LightFair 2022 united thousands of lighting industry professionals in-person last month for a conference and trade show that was a resounding success. The industry’s largest annual lighting event took place June 19-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing more than 10,000 attendees for five days of brisk business, valuable networking and bustling energy. “LightFair has proven yet again how important it is for the lighting industry to connect under one roof—this event is where emerging technologies are discovered, lighting trends are communicated and industry news is unveiled,” said Dan… more
Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact