News

May 30, 2018
The Ascent CEO Promise to create more inclusive workplaces and events will have 100 signatures by the end of May, PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat said today. More than 50 senior executives have made the commitment since the pledge was unveiled last week at IMEX in Frankfurt by PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association). Ascent is an initiative by PCMA-Convene to promote inclusion and diversity across the business events industry.  “The momentum tells us that industry leaders understand that there is work to do, and that they’re ready to do it,’’ Karamat said. “Greater… more
May 25, 2018
International virtual marketing and communications incubator, Event Tech Lab, is continuing to do its part to mentor and develop the next generation of event technology companies by growing its start-up partnerships.  “There is a global remit to work with start-ups worldwide that specialize in production and logistics technology, marketing and management technology and attendee engagement technology – three areas that cover almost all event technology types,” explained James Morgan, who founded UK-based Event Tech Lab in January of 2015 as a partnership community for event tech providers and… more
May 24, 2018
E.J. Krause and Associates and Tarsus have purchased a 60-percent interest of Expo Restaurantes, the leading restaurant show in Mexico. “I am excited by this new acquisition in Mexico given that E.J. Krause and Tarsus have a long and successful history of working together in this market. Expo Restaurantes and Pescamar are perfect vehicles for us to enter this growing market in Mexico,” said Ned Krause, president and CEO of E.J. Krause and Associates. Established 18 years ago Expo Restaurantes is the leading restaurant supplier show in Mexico. The next edition will be held on 27-29 June… more
May 24, 2018
BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering and Construction Publishing Group is gearing up to launch AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo, an interactive conference and exhibition designed for architects, engineers and contractors to learn and leverage new building processes, materials and emerging construction technologies.  Set for April 30-May 2 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, AEC BuildTech will include an expo floor featuring exhibitors showcasing the products and services needed for the latest trends in building, as well as expert speakers and in-depth,… more
May 23, 2018
E.J. Krause & Associates (EJK) is expanding its 2018 event portfolio with the debut of its Electric Bike Events series, created to cover the recreational electric bicycle sector.  This year, the new series will launch eMTB Experience, a four-city electric mountain bikes (eMTB) tour developed as a collocate with Bonnier Corp., producers of the EnduroCross series, and will include events in Prescott AZ, Reno, Denver and Boise, ID running August through November, respectively.  “This partnership will allow for a unique expansion of the Eudurocross program by engaging consumers through… more
May 22, 2018
JD Events will be launching Plant Based World Conference & Expo, set to take place June 7-8, 2019 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. PBW intends to catalyze a healthier world by establishing a home for the rapidly evolving community of human beings making the shift towards a more plant-based lifestyle, according to show organizers. The event will feature an exhibit floor ripe with innovative plant-based foods, beverages, products, services and brands, as well as an educational conference with separate tracks for healthcare professionals, businesses and… more
May 22, 2018
Audio-visual and event services company, Staging Connections, has launched Cumulus, its latest mobile event app that allows clients to create a tailored solution with a range of features to streamline their management process and maximize event ROI. With Cumulus, event organizers can manage their own event-specific content via a user-friendly interface so that they can make changes instantly, while event attendees have easy access to important event information from their smartphone or tablet. Event information accessible on Cumulus includes venue details, floor plans, maps, event program,… more
May 22, 2018
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) recently concluded its largest NPE2018: The Plastics Show, known as the top plastics industry event in North America.  The triennial trade show and conference, which took place May 7-11 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, attracted approximately 65,000 attendees and more than 2,180 exhibiting companies covering more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.  In addition, more than 11,000 international attendees from 110 countries participated in the event.  At its 2015 edition, held March 23-27 at the OCCC, NPE boasted 65,810… more
May 21, 2018
Drumroll please …. After a RECORD year of nominations, TSNN proudly unveils the top seven show finalists competing for the TWO “Best of Show” Awards being announced at TSNN Awards Aug. 10-12 in Louisville (www.T-awards.com). The two winners will be determined on social media and industry voting!  So, get out there and vote for your top choice today! (Voting closes June 16.)  Waste Expo – Why a finalist? Because they "wowed" in multiple ways and didn’t waste any time jumping in on their 1960's theme. They got groovy and celebrated 50 years (rockin’ it since 1968) carrying their fun theme… more
May 18, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has chosen The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) as this year’s recipient of the 2018 IAEE International Excellence Award. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has made exceptional strides in creating, launching and managing an event in the exhibitions and events industry on an international scale. PMMI was honored at the IMEX Gala Dinner & Award, which took place at IMEX Frankfurt, held May 15-17 at Messe Frankfurt Germany. Krista DeBrosse, PMMI’s international trade show… 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