News

Oct 12, 2015
Comcast Spectator’s Spectra Venue Management division (formerly Global Spectrum) and the Spectra Food Services & Hospitality division (formerly Ovations Food Services) will be combined, effective Nov. 2.  This model integrates Spectra food and venue operations management into one team. In total, there will be four geographic divisions and 19 regions.  “The strong partnerships we have with our clients allow us to innovate in ways that benefits our clients, our employees and our customers,” said Glen Brandeburg, who joined the company in 2015 as the president and COO of… more
Oct 12, 2015
Comcast Spectator’s Spectra Venue Management division (formerly Global Spectrum) and the Spectra Food Services & Hospitality division (formerly Ovations Food Services) will be combined, effective Nov. 2.  This model integrates Spectra food and venue operations management into one team. In total, there will be four geographic divisions and 19 regions.  “The strong partnerships we have with our clients allow us to innovate in ways that benefits our clients, our employees and our customers,” said Glen Brandeburg, who joined the company in 2015 as the president and COO of… more
Oct 11, 2015
Penton’s Comfortech, a contractor-focused conference and exposition, brought together 1,700 mechanical and electrical contracting professionals and nearly 150 exhibiting companies. The show also grew its attendance by 21 percent, when it was held Sept. 15-17 2015 in St. Louis, MO. Comfortech was collocated with association events including Service Roundtable/Service Nation Alliance, Quality Service Contractors, National Comfort Institute, and Women in HVACR and mechanical contractors. “Comfortech covered the vital issues and challenges mechanical and electrical contracting… more
Oct 11, 2015
Meet AC, a tourism development agency designed to attract meetings and conventions to Atlantic City, has officially launched three new websites this year and three more websites are in the works to launch within the next six months. Recently, Meet AC has established our convention website, www.meetinac.com, which features our convention calendar, comprehensive meeting planner tools such as guides, floor plans, specs and RFP forms, along with marketing materials such as a press kit, press releases, video podcasts and employee contact information. The Atlantic City Convention Center website has… more
Oct 11, 2015
Meet AC, a tourism development agency designed to attract meetings and conventions to Atlantic City, has officially launched three new websites this year and three more websites are in the works to launch within the next six months. Recently, Meet AC has established our convention website, www.meetinac.com, which features our convention calendar, comprehensive meeting planner tools such as guides, floor plans, specs and RFP forms, along with marketing materials such as a press kit, press releases, video podcasts and employee contact information. The Atlantic City Convention Center website has… more
Oct 08, 2015
By Elizabeth Johnson Conventional marketing wisdom tells us “go where your audience is.” Recently, Facebook announced 1 billion users logged on in a single day, and earlier this year, global internet usage on mobile devices surpassed internet usage on desktops or laptops for the first time. These signs make it clear trade show planners and marketers need to invest more online. Beyond email marketing campaigns and social media pages, trade show planners and marketers have a wealth of digital marketing tactics available to them. Many are adding them to their strategies to engage with their… more
Oct 07, 2015
Urban Expositions and the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia (RCAP) have decided two is better than one and will collocate their shows next year.  As part of the arrangement, the RCAP's Philadelphia National Candy, Gift & Gourmet Show (Jan. 9-11) formerly held in Atlantic City, will move to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Penn. to run alongside Urban Expositions' Philadelphia Gift Show (Jan. 8-11). Urban and the RCAP will each operate its respective show independently - utilizing one cohesive floorplan at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center to ensure… more
Oct 06, 2015
Donna Russo, who has muscular dystrophy, sits in a chair as dancers move around her in beautiful rhythm choreographed by Tam Warner, creating a profound and memorable experience. This experience has been a part of showfloor during the Abilities Expos series of shows, which are geared toward people with disabilities and their families. Lew Shomer and David Korse, owners and producers of the Abilities Expos series, were so moved by Russo and her group’s performance, they now have all teamed up to bring a documentary, “A Passion for Dance”, to the screen. HERE is a video of the performance that… more
Oct 06, 2015
Trade Show News Network is pleased to announce that the 3rd annual TSNN Awards $5,000 Student Scholarship awardee is Sophia Hatchitt, a student pursuing event management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality. The scholarship is sponsored by the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (Reno Tahoe USA), and Hatchitt will receive the funds and be feted during the celebration gala dinner at the 6th Annual TSNN Awards Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen as TSNN 2015 scholarship recipient,” Hatchitt said. “I am so grateful to the Reno-… more
Oct 05, 2015
Last week was a good one for two different shows – ICUEE 2015, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition, and Pack Expo Las Vegas – both of which broke not only attendance records, but also exhibit space and number of exhibitor records as well. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ biennial ICUEE 2015 was the largest ever, with more than 18,000 registered attendees, 13-percent bigger than the previous show. The 2015 event ran Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. “This was our most comprehensive ICUEE ever, and there was tremendous… 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