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May 15, 2018
In the wake of movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, every industry must act to end sexual harassment and create positive, lasting change. The exhibitions and meetings industries are no exception. A new coalition recently was formed to eradicate sexual harassment in the events industry and workplace; a task force that will identify tools and develop new resources to assist in educating individuals and the events industry about sexual harassment.  Comprising leaders and executives from organizations including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); Association for Women in… more
May 09, 2018
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Megan Tanel has been named the 2018 TSNN Awards Industry Icon Honoree and will be celebrated at an awards gala held during the Aug. 10-12 weekend in Louisville, Ky. “I am beyond humbled to be receiving the TSNN Industry Icon Award,” Tanel said. She added, “I look to each day to continue to learn more about myself and how I can continue to improve and be relevant while advocating for my members, our services and events in general. I am thankful for the opportunities I've had and continue to have at work and at home.” Tanel has more than 20 years… more
May 07, 2018
Last week’s IAEE Women's Leadership Forum, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., drew a sold-out crowd of more than 220 attendees to hear several dynamic speakers talk about topics that ranged on how to not get burnt out trying to manage the elusive work/life balance to permitting yourself to ‘ask outrageously’ for something you want. The event kicked off with two sessions the day before – one that focused on How to “Negotiate Your Life – Tips for Quintastic (those who believe 50 is the new 30) Women in the Workplace” and the other was about “Projecting Your UV (Unique… more
May 03, 2018
If popular new features and satisfied exhibitors were any indication, the third edition of PACK EXPO East proved to be its most comprehensive and successful yet. Held April 16-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the show attracted more than 6,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies spanning nearly 100,000 net square feet of expo space. Launched in 2015 to provide Northeast packing and processing professionals with the opportunity to experience the latest in technology and innovative solutions; exchange ideas with leading industry suppliers; access cutting-edge… more
May 02, 2018
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Diversified Business Communications’ Mary Larkin as president of UFI for 2020. This decision was made at the board meeting during the UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 85th UFI Global Congress, which runs from Oct. 31- Nov. 3 in St. Petersburg. Corrado Peraboni, UFI’s current president, welcomed the election of Larkin, saying: “I congratulate Mary Larkin for being elected as the new UFI incoming President. It will be a great privilege for me to be part of the presidential trio, together with… more
May 01, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrates another successful Women’s Leadership Forum April 30-May 1 at the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf in Washington, D.C. More than 220 attendees sold out this year’s event, which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career. The 2018 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Jennifer Hoff, CEM, president, Taffy Event Strategies during the forum. “Jen took a leap of faith when she launched Taffy Event Strategies. She knew she had the knowledge, skills, and a bit of courage to be… more
Apr 24, 2018
Based on after-show feedback from the more than 14,000 participants of the WVC Annual Conference held in Las Vegas, the show is moving their conference back to February and has shortened the duration by one day.  New dates for the WVC Annual Conference will be Feb. 17-20, 2019, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  The conference dates will stay on President’s Day Week, with an exception in 2021 due to “MAGIC” reserving much of the convention space in the city for their international apparel show. “WVC’s goal is to always respond to the needs of the profession and our participants.… more
Apr 23, 2018
The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) will hold the 2019 (July 21-24) VenueConnect Annual Conference & Trade Show in Chicago, Ill., at McCormick Place Convention Center and the 2020 (July 26-29) VenueConnect in Long Beach, Calif., at Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. IAVM’s VenueConnect is the industry conference that provides targeted education created specifically for more than 2,000 arena, stadium, convention center, performing arts center, amphitheater & fairgrounds, and college & university venue professionals. VenueConnect 2019 will bring… more
Apr 23, 2018
ASAE hosted its Xperience Design Project (XDP), April 19-20, at the Gaylord NationalResort & Convention Center. The two-day event drew 1,512 association professionals and industry partners. They co-created strategies, ideas, and solutions on how to engage attendees through gamification, drive attendance at meetings, and create meaningful partnerships with industry suppliers. “Throughout the event, association professionals and industry partners created new ideas they could apply to a future event. The three areas we focused on this year impact our industry, and we wanted to provide an… more
Apr 08, 2018
Predict: CEIR’s Annual Exhibition Industry Conference will be held Sept. 13-14 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. This one of a kind executive-level, invitation-only conference looks to the future — three to five years out – bringing meaningful insights from experts outside the industry to align with trends occurring in the industry in an interactive and engaging format. This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Lindsey Piegza, serves as Chief Economist for Stifel Fixed Income. She specializes in research and analysis of economic trends and activity, world economies, financial markets… 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