News

Aug 08, 2011
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that Hong Kong’s overnight MICE arrivals increased by 10 percent year-on-year to 725,779 in the first six months of 2011. According to HKTB, the growth of MICE arrivals can be attributed to record-breaking numbers of participants at large-scale conventions and exhibition during the period. Of those 725,779 arrivals, 43 percent or 310,913 were from mainland China, which grew 15 percent year-on-year. South and south-east Asia arrivals also recorded significant growth, rising 11 percent to 116,788. European, African and the Middle Eastern… more
Aug 07, 2011
The American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exposition, on tap Aug. 6-9 in St. Louis, attracted 5,400 total participants, which was slightly more than the 5,270 participants that came to last year’s event in Los Angeles. “We surpassed Los Angeles last year, and we’re really excited about that,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, at a press conference on the meeting’s third day. There also were 672 booths and 400 companies on the showfloor at America… more
Aug 01, 2011
U.K.-based B2B media group, UBM plc, released its results for the six months ended June 30, showing headline revenue growth of 9.1 percent, from £434 million last year to £474 million. Adjusted group operating profit grew 10.5 percent from £83 million to £92 million. Revenues from UBM’s exhibition business grew 27.1 percent in the first half to £177 million and adjusted operating profit was up 41.8 percent to £58 million – which the company attributed in part to the acquisition of Canon events last year. Underlying annual revenues are up 13.… more
Aug 01, 2011
U.K.-based B2B media group, UBM plc, released its results for the six months ended June 30, showing headline revenue growth of 9.1 percent, from £434 million last year to £474 million. Adjusted group operating profit grew 10.5 percent from £83 million to £92 million. Revenues from UBM’s exhibition business grew 27.1 percent in the first half to £177 million and adjusted operating profit was up 41.8 percent to £58 million – which the company attributed in part to the acquisition of Canon events last year. Underlying annual revenues are up 13.… more
Jul 28, 2011
The first half of this year started off on a high note for U.K.-based Tarsus Group and looks to be even better going into the second half with the recent release of the company’s Interim Results ending June 30. Overall revenue was $32 million, a 14-percent increase, compared with $28 million in 2010. Like-for-like revenues also were up 7 percent, compared with 2010, and adjusted pre-tax profits were $987,000, down from $1.8 million during the same period last year. The company attributed the drop to increased interest costs in the period before receipt of proceeds from equity… more
Jul 28, 2011
U.K.-based United Business Media bought International Business Events, the owner of the Ecobuild exhibition business, for an initial cash payment of $51 million followed by another $33 million payable during the next 12 months. UBM acquired the business on behalf of its UBM Built Environment division, according to company officials. Ecobuild’s CEO David Wood will remain with the business until mid-2012. Ecobuild, an exhibition for sustainable building products, was launched in 2004 and is held annually at ExCeL London.  “Ecobuild is a great show that complements our other businesses in… more
Jul 25, 2011
Business Events Sydney (BESydney), tasked with promoting MICE opportunities in Sydney and New South Wales (NSW), has reported that the organisation supported 67 successful bids for business events during the 2010-2011 financial year – generating revenues of US$198 million for the NSW economy. As a result, the 67 events will deliver an estimated 55,000 delegates to NSW – an increase of 28% over the 2009-2010 figure. BESydney expects that the additional space to be provided by the new Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre (scheduled to be completed in 2015) will… more
Jul 25, 2011
The Taiwan government’s trade promotion body, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), is reportedly planning to lead a delegation team to mainland China next month to seek out possible trade show partnerships. The tour is to be organised on the back of the Taiwan-China Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed last year. According to media reports, the executive vice president of TAITRA, Walter Yeh, has stated that the delegation will hold meetings in Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Shenzhen and Xiamen with potential trade show partners. Yeh added that an agreement… more
Jul 25, 2011
The “Maximise Your Business Opportunity in ASEAN through Thailand’s Champion Trade Shows” business forum recently was organized by the Thailand Convention & Visitors Bureau with the aim to attract Indonesian visitors to five ‘champion’ trade shows being supported by the bureau. At the forum, the two countries came together on agreements in the exhibition industry with the goal to create long-term mutual economic benefits, according to TCEB officials. The event was part of TCEB’s “Better the Best” campaign, which focuses on some of the… more
Jul 25, 2011
China International Travel Service (CITS), one of the largest domestic and outbound travel agencies in China, has acquired stake in the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings China (IT&CM China) through its MICE division. IT&CM China, a MICE and corporate travel trade show based in China, had previously been owned and organised by TTG Asia Media and MP International since 2007. In 2012, IT&CM China will be co-organised by TTG Asia Media, MP International as well as CITS. The next edition of the event will be held at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center… 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