News

Aug 11, 2023
Event technology solutions are evolving at warp speed again, giving event professionals even more tools to streamline the experience for them and attendees. Check out a few of the latest offerings to hit the market.   Cvent   Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events and hospitality technology provider, unveiled its new Cvent Events+ solution, which is designed to deliver an always-on branded event hub to promote future events and webinars and showcase video content from past events. "Many of today’s event organizers and marketers are hosting more events — across… more
Aug 08, 2023
After more than nine years of planning, including a three-year feasibility period demonstrating significant demand from convention clients, the city of Indianapolis is about to get a larger convention center and a new 800-room headquarter hotel.  On Aug. 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops were joined by community leaders, project representatives and some of the city’s largest convention clients for a groundbreaking celebration of the sixth expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and construction of a new Hilton convention hotel.  Key… more
Aug 07, 2023
Freeman has acquired Sparks, a global brand experience agency with more than 750 employees. Sparks provides exhibit and event experiences to a diverse group of Fortune 1000 brands, including Google, Salesforce, Anheuser-Busch InBev and T-Mobile. Sparks will combine with Freeman’s agency business, which also caters to major corporate clients, including Amazon, Cisco and Kohler. “Our combination with Sparks creates a unique opportunity to accelerate Freeman’s vision to become a leader in the corporate space,” said Freeman CEO Bob Priest-Heck. “Sparks, like Freeman, is built by great people,… more
Aug 07, 2023
Exclusively Sponsored by Visit Tampa Bay With an award-winning airport, cutting-edge venues, a vibrant array of amenities and innovative tech grants, Tampa Bay can transform your meeting into an unforgettable success story.    Celebrated service for air travelers from around the world.   Occupying the number two spot on the J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is home to world-class service. And now it can bring an even wider range of attendees to your meeting.   The crown jewel of your meeting.   Now meetings at the waterfront Tampa… more
Aug 04, 2023
Oak View Group (OVG), which takes over venue management for Chicago’s McCormick Place on Oct. 1, named veteran convention and hospitality executive Samuel Thomas Jr. as senior vice president and general manager of the campus, which includes McCormick Place, featuring 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena and the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater.  Thomas, who will relocate to Chicago from Washington, D.C., where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Events DC, will begin his new role the first week of September. McCormick Place… more
Aug 03, 2023
Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), unveiled “The State of In-person B2B Conferences: Analyzing Organizer and Attendee Insights on Today's Most Impactful Gatherings,” a comprehensive report underscoring the value of face-to-face events.   Despite a year of headlines about economic uncertainty and layoffs, in-person events are thriving, according to the survey,” said Alon Alroy, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bizzabo.   In June 2023, Bizzabo conducted the extensive survey of more than 4,000 event organizers and attendees to gain deeper insights into the current… more
Aug 03, 2023
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is thrilled to unveil the 2023 TSNN Awards top honoree for the Industry Support Award.  All of the award honorees will be celebrated Oct. 27-29 at the 2023 TSNN Awards at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two-day event will kick off with an opening party at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort and Casino sponsored by Discover Puerto Rico, followed the next day by an education conference at the Puerto Rico Convention Center and an awards gala at the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico and after-party at the Sheraton.  Industry Support Award… more
Aug 01, 2023
While some industries tend to slow down in the summer, the U.S. trade show industry has been doing anything but resting on its laurels, as evidenced by the plethora of event-related organizations and suppliers continuing the industry’s still-hot hiring and promoting trend. Here’s all the latest People News you need to know!  RX   RX has appointed Peter Lindsay as its new global chief strategy officer, responsible for formulating and executing strategies, leading corporate development activities, including mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing various projects and initiatives geared… more
Jul 31, 2023
The Specialty Food Association's (SFA) 67th Summer Fancy Food Show, held June 25-27 at the Javits Center in New York, drew more than 30,000 professionals from the specialty food and beverage industry. The sold-out event marked a 20% increase in registration compared to 2022, with significant growth in all key buyer categories, including a 21% rise in retailers, a 20% surge in food service professionals, and a 12% jump in distributors.  Recognized as one of the largest specialty food industry gatherings in North America, the Summer Fancy Food Show drew more than 2,200 companies covering… more
Jul 28, 2023
Event technology continues to rapidly evolve, providing the industry with inventive strategies for marketing and producing the most successful, engaging and efficiently run gatherings. Check out some of the latest solutions aiming to make the event experience easier and more rewarding for organizers, marketers and attendees alike.   NoteAffect NoteAffect, an AI driven software learning and workflow management platform for conferences, launched Event-Ace, a new platform specifically created for the events industry. Based on the company’s award- winning platforms Note-Smart for education and… 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