May 12, 2023
A testament to the industry’s recovery, this year is turning out to be a major success for Questex, a leading information and event services company focused on the experience economy.
With new event activations connecting buyers and sellers at the 2023 editions of six Questex shows — International Beauty Show New York, International Esthetics Cosmetics & Spa Conference New York, Bar & Restaurant Expo, World Tea Expo, Vibe Conference and Fierce Pharma Events — the company delivered record-breaking numbers of attendees, exhibitors and revenue and now exceeds… more
May 11, 2023
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S., a time to honor and recognize the contributions and influence of those in the AAPI community to the history, culture and achievements of the U.S., in addition to the industries in which they work. It’s also an ideal opportunity to learn about the AAPI community through their valuable insights.
Trade Show News Network checked in with five AAPI events industry professionals to get their thoughts on how their organizations support the AAPI community, AAPI event professionals to watch, advice for the next generation of… more
May 05, 2023
The U.S. Travel Association, which has been diligently advocating for the end of COVID-19 restrictions along with several other tourism and events industry entities, overwhelmingly welcomed the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement May 1 to repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for inbound travel to the U.S.
“[The] action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward, said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.
However, he added, the return of international visitors should be as efficient… more
May 04, 2023
U.S. trade shows are continuing their robust return to face-to-face, attracting industry professionals from far and wide to connect and conduct business on bustling show floors. Here are two major events that pulled off successful and record-setting editions recently.
ProMat
Following a four-year, pandemic-induced hiatus, the manufacturing, logistics and supply chain community came together for a record-setting ProMat 2023 trade show and conference, held March 20-23 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Typically held biennially in the Windy City, the pent-up demand resulted in the show boasting… more
May 01, 2023
OneSystem Plus delivers organizers the most speed, control, and customization out of any other registration and housing platform.
Most show organizers have gotten used to the limitations of traditional registration and housing platforms on the market today. If you are a smaller event, a SaaS platform is great for configurability, compliance, and a quick turnaround, but lacks customization, basic integration, and the ability to handle large group support. For organizers of large events, a custom platform offers a different but similar experience. It can handle large events, is fully… more
May 01, 2023
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, buffets were a staple feature at most corporate meetings and events. But during the pandemic, this versatile, practical and popular meal option was basically eliminated due to health and safety concerns, as buffets typically involve guests handling shared utensils and serving dishes, thus potentially increasing the risk of virus transmission. To minimize this risk and keep both employees and guests safe, many hotels and event venues temporarily eliminated self-serve buffets and replaced them with alternatives such as plated or pre-packaged meals, or… more
Apr 27, 2023
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is thrilled to unveil that it will be celebrating the 2023 TSNN Awards Oct. 27-29 on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
This celebration event for the trade show industry will feature a bevy of awards celebrating all of the amazing innovation at trade shows in the past year, as well as the people who are the best of the best at what they do.
The 13th Annual 2023 TSNN Awards gala celebration and educational conference are just two of the event’s highlights.
“We are beyond delighted and honored to hear Puerto Rico was selected as the host destination for the… more
Apr 26, 2023
A new fashion sourcing trade show and a consumer event celebrating military culture will be making their debut in September and November of this year, respectively.
SOURCING at MAGIC New York
Informa is gearing up to launch an East Coast version of its long-standing SOURCING at MAGIC fashion trade show, held biannually at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Set for Sept. 19-21 alongside COTERIE and MAGIC at the Javits Center in New York City, SOURCING at MAGIC New York will resemble its Las Vegas sister expo, featuring an array of global exhibitors and categories from textile… more
Apr 25, 2023
Global live event leader Freeman recently acquired Denver-based Impact Point Group, a technology-focused, boutique consultancy firm offering a full suite of strategic advisory and event management services. A nationally certified women-owned business, Impact Point Group’s client roster boasts market-leading tech brands, including Cisco, Atlassian and DocuSign, to name a few.
According to Adam Charles, executive vice president of Freeman’s Agency, the acquisition comes as Freeman continues to invest in growth opportunities for its agency business.
“Impact Point Group brings a proven… more
Apr 21, 2023
Caesars Entertainment, long renowned for its celebrity chef establishments, has further elevated its Las Vegas dining scene with three delectable restaurants by Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsay and Chris Santos, all of which are available for group bookings.
The recently opened additions join an already impressive list of Caesars Entertainment dining options by top chefs and restaurateurs, including Dominique Ansel, Michael Chow, Giada de Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Buddy Valastro and Lisa Vanderpump.
The Bedford by Martha Stewart
Global lifestyle icon… 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