News

Apr 01, 2016
In the 1940s, department stores were the primary retailers of most every item for daily life, including stationery and writing instruments. Tessie Goldwater, a buyer for May’s Department Stores, regularly attended gift shows in New York and Chicago, but felt there was a need for a more specialized paper goods show. She approached Bill Little at George Little Management (now part of Emerald Expositions), urging that stationery, custom invitations, pens and related goods be given their own event. In 1945, the first New York Stationery Show was held in the New Yorker Hotel. While… more
Mar 31, 2016
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) launched a Virtual Reality Companion app that helps transport trade show delegates and would-be visitors alike to popular attractions in the No. 1 city for top trade shows in the U.S. Now, taking a tour of the Grand Canyon, riding in a gondola at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino or taking a zipline through the downtown streets is possible from anywhere in the world. The LVCVA showcased virtual reality through Oculus Rift, a technology company that builds and distributes virtual reality head-mounted display units that allow users to have… more
Mar 31, 2016
The 2016 World of Asphalt Show & Conference and AGG1 Academy & Expo broke a trio of records – attendance, number of exhibitors and attendees taking part in the education – when its recent show wrapped up March 22-24 in Nashville, Tenn. Record registered attendance of more than 9,000 is 18 percent more than the record-setting 2015 shows and 38 percent growth, compared with 2013. Attendees came from all 50 states, nine of the 10 Canadian provinces and more than 60 other countries worldwide; 30 percent were company presidents/owners, vice presidents, general managers or chief financial… more
Mar 30, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson ‘Branding’ is perhaps the most commonly used, but most commonly misunderstood, word in business. Reactions to brands, such as Coca-Cola or Apple, are immediate. An organization or product with a strong brand may compel people to instantly think of its logo, or tagline or jingle. A brand, by definition is all of those things and more - it’s everything we think about a particular organization or product. A strong event brand offers its audiences a promise on the value it will deliver. And then, it uses communications tools to deliver the message of that promise.  A… more
Mar 28, 2016
While the convention and meetings industry is able to breathe a sigh of relief today in Georgia, headaches abound in North Carolina, after both states recently dealt with legislation that was deemed discriminatory to the gay community by many.   Less than two weeks after the Georgia assembly voted through House Bill 757 – the Free Exercise Protection Act, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the bill.   The bill would have allowed churches to refuse to perform gay marriages and not hire people they felt conflicted with their religious beliefs, which prompted big-name companies, such as… more
Mar 26, 2016
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York launched a new camera system that allows customers to view their exhibits in real time from a mobile app on their personal devices. Under the program, thousands of customers operating an exhibit at the Javits Center can purchase the installation of high-definition cameras that provide live-stream aerial footage of their exhibit, enabling them to assess sales activity, the level of customer engagement and the impact of product placement. Live-stream footage from each camera – installed and maintained by Javits Center staff – will be… more
Mar 26, 2016
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York launched a new camera system that allows customers to view their exhibits in real time from a mobile app on their personal devices. Under the program, thousands of customers operating an exhibit at the Javits Center can purchase the installation of high-definition cameras that provide live-stream aerial footage of their exhibit, enabling them to assess sales activity, the level of customer engagement and the impact of product placement. Live-stream footage from each camera – installed and maintained by Javits Center staff – will be… more
Mar 24, 2016
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list had a record number of submissions this year and represents the top 250 trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage. The full, searchable list, sponsored this year exclusively by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center, can be found HERE. The Consumer Technology Association’s CES 2015 show snagged the No. 1 spot and spanned more than 2.2 million net square feet at the… more
Mar 22, 2016
UBM Game Network's 2016 Game Developers Conference, an event serving professionals dedicated to the art and science of making games, has set a record for event attendance, with more than 27,000 game industry professionals at last week's conference in San Francisco's Moscone Center.  This year, UBM Game Network also debuted the 2016 Virtual Reality Developers Conference, an event focused on the creation of new video games, entertainment and technology around virtual and augmented reality, which was held alongside GDC.  GDC 2016 marked the 30th edition of the event, and to… more
Mar 22, 2016
The Consumer Technology Association, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), has revealed Kirk Skaugen, senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group for Intel Corporation, as the speaker who will deliver a keynote address at the upcoming CES Asia™ 2016. Owned and produced by CTA, and co-produced by Intex Shanghai, CES Asia 2016 will run May 11-13 in Shanghai, China at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC). Skaugen's keynote will take place on May 11 at the Kerry Hotel, Shanghai Ballrooms 2-3. He will detail the… 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