News

Nov 29, 2012
In 2012, we saw Google, the dominant search engine; make some radical changes to its indexing and ranking policies. The focus has shifted, once and for all, from quantity to quality. What event marketers say about a given brand has become less important than how consumers respond to that brand’s presence online. This emphasis on target audience driven social engagement will further strengthen in 2013. How often users share your content on social media sites, comment on it, review it and return to it will carry more weight than it has ever before. The number of times a link is tweeted… more
Nov 29, 2012
Everywhere you turn in the events industry someone is talking about webcasting, hybrid events and virtual events. It’s a hot topic, but it’s still relatively new to many trade shows. Show organizers are struggling to understand how to incorporate this new technology into their events successfully. Organizations recognize the fact they have a potential audience who cannot attend their event in person. According to results of the study entitled “Measuring and Maximizing the Impact of a Hybrid Event”, half of all respondents say they record their conference content for on… more
Nov 29, 2012
In 2012, we saw Google, the dominant search engine; make some radical changes to its indexing and ranking policies. The focus has shifted, once and for all, from quantity to quality. What event marketers say about a given brand has become less important than how consumers respond to that brand’s presence online. This emphasis on target audience driven social engagement will further strengthen in 2013. How often users share your content on social media sites, comment on it, review it and return to it will carry more weight than it has ever before. The number of times a link is tweeted… more
Nov 28, 2012
Apple iPads now give the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority personnel access to real-time information previously carried around in hefty paper binders that quickly became outdated. That helps them address exhibitor and show management requests more quickly and streamlines guest services functions. Five years ago, the MCCA laid the groundwork for its innovative mobile solution through a $9 million investment in an event management system called ShowBiz. ShowBiz is a custom, open-source software platform developed for MCCA by strategic IT partner Optaros, after the MCCA IT team… more
Nov 28, 2012
The Chicago Auto Show features big names such as General Motors, Toyota and Ford, but in 2013, they’ll also be featuring some of Chicago’s technology startups like SpotHero, the creators of an app that helps people find parking in Chicago. As the largest auto show on the continent, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space, the Chicago Auto Show hosts multiple world and North American vehicle debuts. For the first time, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show, announced plans to bring… more
Nov 28, 2012
Apple iPads now give the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority personnel access to real-time information previously carried around in hefty paper binders that quickly became outdated. That helps them address exhibitor and show management requests more quickly and streamlines guest services functions. Five years ago, the MCCA laid the groundwork for its innovative mobile solution through a $9 million investment in an event management system called ShowBiz. ShowBiz is a custom, open-source software platform developed for MCCA by strategic IT partner Optaros, after the MCCA IT team… more
Nov 28, 2012
The Chicago Auto Show features big names such as General Motors, Toyota and Ford, but in 2013, they’ll also be featuring some of Chicago’s technology startups like SpotHero, the creators of an app that helps people find parking in Chicago. As the largest auto show on the continent, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space, the Chicago Auto Show hosts multiple world and North American vehicle debuts. For the first time, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show, announced plans to bring… more
Nov 27, 2012
People just want to have fun, and that was apparent with the recent success of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade show – IAAPA Attractions Expo 2012 – held Nov. 12-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The show drew 26,500 attendees, which included an increased number of buyers, 15,800, an expansive trade show floor – the largest in four years - and largest outdoor space in 10 years, as well as a 14-percent increase in education attendance. “IAAPA Attractions Expo 2012 is the one time of year when the amusement park… more
Nov 27, 2012
Calls from within the Taiwanese jewellery industry to hold an international, professional jewellery exhibition in Taiwan have been answered, with UBM Asia and the Taiwan Jewelry Industry Association joining forces, supported by the Taipei Jewelers’ Association, to launch the first Taiwan Jewellery & Gem Fair. The show will be held Nov. 15-18 at the Taipei World Trade Center. "We received strong requests from within the Taiwan jewellery industry, as well as from international suppliers of jewellery products, for us to hold a professional jewellery event in Taiwan,” said… more
Nov 27, 2012
The international organic sector met for the 12th year in a row for BioFach Japan 2012 Nov. 21-23 in the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre. This year was notable for the large international share of exhibitors. More than 210 companies from 14 nations, compared with 10 nations in 2011 presented their organic products. Italy, particularly the region of Sicily, and Argentina were at BioFach Japan for the first time. Other countries that participated were Germany, Australia, France, South Korea, Nepal, Austria and the United Arab Emirates. As in the previous years, natural cosmetic… 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