News

May 02, 2018
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Diversified Business Communications’ Mary Larkin as president of UFI for 2020. This decision was made at the board meeting during the UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 85th UFI Global Congress, which runs from Oct. 31- Nov. 3 in St. Petersburg. Corrado Peraboni, UFI’s current president, welcomed the election of Larkin, saying: “I congratulate Mary Larkin for being elected as the new UFI incoming President. It will be a great privilege for me to be part of the presidential trio, together with… more
May 01, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrates another successful Women’s Leadership Forum April 30-May 1 at the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf in Washington, D.C. More than 220 attendees sold out this year’s event, which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career. The 2018 IAEE Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Jennifer Hoff, CEM, president, Taffy Event Strategies during the forum. “Jen took a leap of faith when she launched Taffy Event Strategies. She knew she had the knowledge, skills, and a bit of courage to be… more
May 01, 2018
May 25 is the day that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect. The GDPR provides EU citizens specific privacy rights regarding the collection, storage, transfer and use of their personally identifiable information. Non-compliance with the GDPR may result in significant fines and penalties of “up to €20 million, or 4% of the worldwide annual revenue of the prior financial year, whichever is higher,” according to the GDPR’s regulation 2016/679. In March, I attended a roundtable event co-hosted by Key Events and Lenos Software on GDPR compliance and how it will affect… more
Apr 29, 2018
While planning an event in an industry, show organizers quickly learn the leading voices of that industry. These voices influence large communities and offer a type of credibility brands themselves cannot. As a result, marketers have quickly engaged in “influencer marketing campaigns.”   “Influencers are a class of individuals who naturally attract emulation by their behaviors, relationships or opinions,” said Tamar Beck, CEO of Gleanin, an influencer marketing platform.   Ed Several, senior vice president of Reed Exhibitions-Americas, defines event influencers as any attendee or exhibiting… more
Apr 26, 2018
B2B eCommerce company, NuORDER, has launched Online Trade Show, a digital B2B marketplace where wholesale buyers can discover new brands, browse digital brand catalogs and place orders on demand anywhere and anytime from any mobile web browser.  Designed to be a digital continuation of the expo floor that compliments the physical trade show experience, the new platform offers buyers the discovery element experienced at live shows while enabling them to connect and conduct business with brands online both during and after the event.  Officially unveiled in December, Online Trade Show… more
Apr 26, 2018
In a continuing effort to enhance its international business relationships, World Trade Center Las Vegas recently signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) at the 49thWorld Trade Center Association General Assembly in the Netherlands with host World Trade Center Leeuwarden, World Trade Center Twente and World Trade Center Denver. The agreements encourage Las Vegas to co-market with the three cities under the WTCA’s expansive brand to create access to key trade information and market research as well as facilitate business trade missions around the world.  “Following a record-breaking… more
Apr 25, 2018
An event provides one of the most powerful opportunities for sponsors to get their brand and message out in a face-to-face environment. For event organizers, sponsorships can help offset costs, increase revenue, enhance the attendee experience and strengthen partnerships.  To help clients increase the value, efficiency and impact of their live events, GES has launched GES Sponsorship Strategy & Sales. Announced on Apr. 10, the new program enhances the company’s sponsorship program offerings.  “We’ve blended decades of experience in live event marketing and domain knowledge with the… more
Apr 24, 2018
Based on after-show feedback from the more than 14,000 participants of the WVC Annual Conference held in Las Vegas, the show is moving their conference back to February and has shortened the duration by one day.  New dates for the WVC Annual Conference will be Feb. 17-20, 2019, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  The conference dates will stay on President’s Day Week, with an exception in 2021 due to “MAGIC” reserving much of the convention space in the city for their international apparel show. “WVC’s goal is to always respond to the needs of the profession and our participants.… more
Apr 24, 2018
The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) has awarded the trade show for-profit industry’s most prestigious award, the “Robert L. Krakoff Industry Award of Excellence” to Galen Poss, vice chairman of dmg::events. “SISO is proud to announce the winner of the 2018 R L Krakoff Award is Galen Poss,” said Tony Calanca, executive vice president of Exhibitions for UBM. He added, “Galen has demonstrated in his more than two decades of work in the face-to-face industry his leadership, professionalism, dedication to the industry, and his humanity.  We could not be happier than to have Galen… more
Apr 24, 2018
Workforce management technology solutions provider, LASSO, has launched LASSO Signature, a new e-signature product that enables customers to electronically complete, review and sign documents from the same system they use to schedule, communicate and manage their workforces. Designed to help streamline the on-boarding process and simplify on-going policy management, the new solution operates seamlessly with LASSO’s workforce management platform, dedicated to helping companies manage and automate their labor workflows and simplify processes for their crew and staff, according to Angela Alea,… 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