News
Mar 24, 2022
Event tech and marketing wizard Dahlia El Gazzar is on a mission to empower event professionals with intel that helps them create next-level experiences. It’s the very reason she has been so passionate about the events industry since diving into it more than 10 years ago.
“What first got me interested in event tech is the ability the solutions have to help catapult event organizers' desires to create better experiences for their stakeholders, their events and their internal teams,” she said. “And yet it's an enabler, and I found that strategizing about how to use tech and combining it with… more
Mar 22, 2022
The North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) has been acquired by newly established trade show platform Trifecta Collective LLC, a partnership between leading private equity firm GreyLion and trade show industry veterans Rick McConnell and Jennifer Hoff.
Nick Curci, president and founder of Corporate Solutions, served as NATDA’s financial advisor for the transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed.
Founded in 2007 by Amy and Andy Ackerman, NATDA is the only North American professional business association serving light and medium duty trailer dealers. It comprises a… more
Mar 21, 2022
While it’s wonderful and uplifting to celebrate the achievements of women on International Women’s Day or during Women’s History Month, it goes without saying that striving for gender equality, diversity and inclusion is a year-round effort. For example, ensuring equitable pay for women serving the same roles as their male counterparts and empowering female professionals to realize their career aspirations. Our industry still has work to do in achieving gender parity, but there has been progress. TSNN recently had the pleasure of speaking with several dynamic female event professionals to get… more
Mar 18, 2022
From recognizing the stars behind tech in the industry to unveiling comprehensive solutions aimed at helping event professionals succeed, event technology is ever evolving. Take a look at some of the latest developments!
Event Technology Awards–The People
Event Technology Awards (ETA) opened submissions for its new people-focused offshoot this summer and selected a panel of judges. Event Technology Awards–The People will take place live and virtually June 8 during Event Tech Live, Las Vegas, the first in-person U.S. edition of the show, which has taken place in London for nine years and was… more
Mar 17, 2022
The U.S. Travel Association led a delegation of 11 travel industry leaders to Washington, D.C., March 8 for a roundtable discussion with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves on ways to bolster the industry’s recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion centered on promoting safe business and professional travel and identifying opportunities to help all aspects of the travel and tourism sector, including professional meeting and events, fully and evenly recover.
At the meeting, Graves voiced his support for the industry, saying the U.S. Department of Commerce will… more
Mar 16, 2022
U.K.-based Raccoon Events has made its first acquisition, as it continues to expand its U.S. footprint by forging a long-term partnership with Snowsports Industries America in conjunction with the B2C event Snowbound Expo. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The partnership is a win for consumers and exhibitors alike and combines Raccoon’s success as a consumer show organizer with SIA’s know-how and reach as the leader of the winter outdoor industry.
“This is an exciting development for our U.S, business and is a sign of our continued ambition to deliver exciting and engaging B2C events… more
Mar 15, 2022
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, a number of leading trade show and event industry associations have been taking a stand against Russia’s military aggression, condemning the conflict, announcing the suspension of business activities in Russia, providing information about humanitarian support efforts to help the Ukrainian people and updating members about new measures they’re taking in response to the ongoing situation.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, convened its executive committee last week in a special session to discuss the association’s continuing… more
Mar 14, 2022
The recovery of the trade show industry continues to pick up momentum as event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad make acquisitions and form new strategic partnerships to further their long-term business goals.
ASM Global Tapped to Run Olympia London
Leading venue and event management company ASM Global has been appointed to manage Olympia London, a premier UK exhibition center located in central London and one of Europe’s most historic venues. The iconic, 135-year-old facility joins ASM Global’s extensive portfolio of more than 300 venues throughout the world, including… more
Mar 11, 2022
Freeman, a leading event management company, has partnered with Hubilo, a leading virtual and hybrid event platform, to provide its customers around the world with a seamless digital component for events.
The alliance is designed to allow Freeman’s customers the ability to tap into the company’s strategic expertise and event planning know-how combined with Hubilo’s best-in-class platform as a one-stop approach to planning and managing all aspects of virtual, hybrid and in-person events. Capabilities through Hubilo include custom branding, mobile ready, personalized networking, break-out… more
Mar 11, 2022
The 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show(SHOT Show), owned and operated by the National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF) made a strong return to Las Vegas, drawing more than 2,400 exhibitors and more than 43,000 attendees from 100 countries and featuring its largest floor plan in history.
Held Jan. 18-21 at Caesars Forum and The Venetian Expo, the 44th SHOT Show brought the firearm industry together in-person again after holding it’s 2021 edition virtually. As the fifth-largest trade show in Las Vegas, the SHOT Show provides an estimated $88 million in non-gaming revenue to 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