News

Apr 23, 2018
ASAE hosted its Xperience Design Project (XDP), April 19-20, at the Gaylord NationalResort & Convention Center. The two-day event drew 1,512 association professionals and industry partners. They co-created strategies, ideas, and solutions on how to engage attendees through gamification, drive attendance at meetings, and create meaningful partnerships with industry suppliers. “Throughout the event, association professionals and industry partners created new ideas they could apply to a future event. The three areas we focused on this year impact our industry, and we wanted to provide an… more
Apr 23, 2018
The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) will hold the 2019 (July 21-24) VenueConnect Annual Conference & Trade Show in Chicago, Ill., at McCormick Place Convention Center and the 2020 (July 26-29) VenueConnect in Long Beach, Calif., at Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. IAVM’s VenueConnect is the industry conference that provides targeted education created specifically for more than 2,000 arena, stadium, convention center, performing arts center, amphitheater & fairgrounds, and college & university venue professionals. VenueConnect 2019 will bring… more
Apr 23, 2018
For the ninth year in row, Trade Show News Network will hold its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program that honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Aug. 10-12 in Louisville, Ky. The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled event can be found listed below and also HERE.  “The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2015-2017 in attendance and net square footage,” said Tarsus Media President Rachel Wimberly. She added, “We are really excited to fete all of the winners for… more
Apr 20, 2018
Global event technology company, Expo Logic, has launched an innovative new solution for onsite registration that allows attendees to check in at events using only their face. Created in partnership with biometrics company, Zenus, Expo Logic’s facial recognition event check-in service helps show organizers improve the onsite attendee experience via shorter registration wait times, more secure events and personalized attendee greetings. The process is simple: using images uploaded by attendees during the registration process, a camera setup at the onsite registration kiosk captures the… more
Apr 20, 2018
We know how hard you and your team work to make your trade show a success! We know you’ve earned bragging rights, so we want to hear from you!  Nominations are open for the TSNN Awards “Best of Show” Awards and we’re leaving it up to you to Tell us why you think your show is the BEST!This is the eighth year for this special award, and five nominees will be invited to the 2018 TSNN Awards: Celebrating Success Aug. 10–12 in fun Louisville, KY. The overall winner will be announced at the gala awards celebration Aug. 11. To be considered, please, submit your show HERE.There is no specific… more
Apr 19, 2018
Last month, full-service global meetings solution company, ConferenceDirect, provided 23 of its associates with the opportunity to learn how to identify and help stop a growing problem in the hospitality industry: human trafficking. At the company’s Annual Partner Meeting on March 28 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, the ConferenceDirect employees completed a Human Trafficking Awareness course presented by the Los Angeles Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), which works to identify human trafficking cases in the Los Angeles region and offers a variety of local public speaking… more
Apr 18, 2018
The St. John’s Convention Centre, National Association of Drug Stores and International Market Centers all either brought on a new supplier or renewed an existing contract in the past month during a busy time in the trade show industry.  Centerplate was selected as the exclusive catering partner for the St. John’s Convention Centre, following a comprehensive bid process. Located in the heart of downtown St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador, SJCC offers state-of-the-art facilities for meetings, conferences and events.  The 10-year contract will encompass all food and beverage services… more
Apr 17, 2018
Next month’s Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) will be offering something extra special for its audience of 200 event executives: the ECEF TechDemo & Reception. Set to debut May 30 at the 17thannual edition of ECEF at the JW Marriott in Washington D.C., the inaugural technology and networking experience will offer hands-on demonstrations of 10 event tech solutions that will allow participants to take these leading-edge solutions for a test drive. “As event technologies advance and proliferate at a breakneck pace, it is critical for technologists, non-tech executives… more
Apr 17, 2018
Dallas-based Freeman bought Sydney, Australia-based Info Salon Group led by CEO Jo-Anne Kelleway, an event technology solutions company that focuses on online and onsite registration, as well as data tracking and capture. “We’re always looking for ways to simplify the event and show planning processes for our clients; and investing in leading digital technologies enables us to provide the robust capabilities show organizers need to thrive in the ever-evolving events industry. This was the case with our recent Blueprint floor plan management solution launch, and it is the driving factor… more
Apr 17, 2018
After a shareholder vote today in which 99 percent voted in favor of approval, Informa’s $5.5 billion valued deal to buy UBM was given the greenlight, creating the largest trade show company in the world. “We are encouraged by the strong support from shareholders of both companies for this combination, which will create a leading, international B2B Information Services Group,” said Stephen A. Carter, Informa’s CEO. Under the terms of the offer, UBM shareholders will receive 1.083 Informa shares for each UBM share and $2.33 in cash. Carter in an earlier statement said that shareholders… 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