Association Show News

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Jun 27, 2022
More than 51,000 foodservice professionals flocked to Chicago's McCormick Place May 21-24 for the first time since 2019 to happily reconnect in person and indulge in this year's National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (National Restaurant Association Show), the premier event to learn about foodservice technology innovations, unique ingredients and emerging trends in the restaurant industry. “The 2022 show was one of the most anticipated events of the year, and after three long years, we couldn’t wait to bring the foodservice community back together to celebrate the… more
Jun 21, 2022
As its second major in-person convention since the onset of the pandemic, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association’s (AAHOA) annual AAHOA Convention & Trade Show (AAHOACON) once again converged to unite the who’s who of the hotel industry for four days of networking, learning, deal-making and cultural celebration.   Held April 12-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the lively expo and conference drew more than 6,000 registered attendees and 515 exhibiting companies as well as innovative industry professionals, prominent politicians, business leaders and entertainers serving as… more
Jun 17, 2022
Celebrating 25 years of innovation and trendsetting in the confectionary and snack industries, the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo drew nearly 16,000 total attendees, including nearly 700 exhibitors and more than 110 exhibitors in the Supplier Showcase, to Chicago’s McCormick Place May 23-26. This year’s show spanned 4.5 acres of candy and snack innovation and focused on the show’s evolution over the past 25 years and its history of offering new confectionery and snack products, actionable insights and opportunities for members of the industry to connect.  “There’s no better way to celebrate… more
Jun 08, 2022
The pet industry’s premier trade show and conference for pet retailers, product manufacturers, importers and thought leaders recently converged in Orlando, Fla., to celebrate a triumphant return to live and in-person events. Hosted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the 18th annual Global Pet Expo took over the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) March 23-25, attracting more than 5,400 buyers, 722 exhibitors and a fair share of adorable cats and dogs.  According to show officials, 52% of buyers were first-time attendees and… more
May 31, 2022
The International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC) West recently wrapped up the first major security and public safety event of the year, boasting record-breaking attendance growth. Held March 22-25 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas and hosted in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), the leading annual comprehensive and converged security trade show and conference in the U.S. had an 88% increase in participation compared to its 2021 West event, which took place July 19-21 at the same venue. According to officials from RX, which owns and produces… more
May 24, 2022
An expected rebound of the U.S. B2B exhibitions industry is underway, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which released the results of its 2022 First Quarter Index on May 23. According to the stats, the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions industry improved significantly in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the previous eight quarters, with cancellation rates for physical in-person events continuing to drop, compared with 2021. In Q1 2022, the cancellation rate was 9.2%, compared to 91.3% in the first quarter of 2021, 66.2% in the second quarter,… more
May 23, 2022
While the trade show and meetings industry continues its steady path toward recovery, some event-related organizations remain committed to making sure that those less fortunate within the communities they operate aren’t left behind. Check out two event industry entities who recently went the extra mile to make a difference in their home cities and beyond.  Music City Center Nashville’s Music City Center, in partnership with Sodexo Live! and Nestlé, recently donated 150 gallons of soup to The Nashville Food Project, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to grow, cook and share… more
May 17, 2022
MHI, the international trade association representing the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry, brought its largest MODEX event ever to Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) March 28-30, drawing more than 37,000 attendees and  more than 850 exhibitors to a show floor that spanned 405,000 square feet of space.    According to John Paxton, CEO of MHI, MODEX 2022 was a huge success, a dramatic return to in-person events for the supply chain industry and a boon for the Atlanta area, with the direct economic impact of the event estimated to be $45 million. “After two… more
May 13, 2022
Association Analytics, a leading provider of business intelligence and data analytics for the association industry, debuted Acumen Major Meetings, a platform designed to improve conference and trade show performance with actionable data on exhibitors, sponsors and attendees all in one place. The new platform augments the company’s flagship analytics platform, Acumen, which provides a 360-degree view of association members, bringing together all association data in one place for clients to visualize, analyze and take action. Acumen Major Meetings was created to specifically address the… more
May 12, 2022
World of Asphalt and the co-located AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo brought asphalt paving and aggregates professionals together for the first time in three years March 29-31, selling out Nashville’s Music City Center and breaking records in size and attendance. Organizations from across the country sent representatives ranging from C-suite executives to field operators to this year’s show to view specialized exhibits and product unveilings, take in the latest education offerings, learn about the newest innovations in the asphalt and aggregates industries and make purchasing decisions… 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