News

Apr 16, 2018
If you attend a fair amount of industry conferences, you’ve likely run into Jim Spellos, an incredibly popular and engaging technology speaker whose educational sessions on topics ranging from mobile apps and digital security to VR and other hot technologies have a reputation for packing a room. But besides his love for tech and rock music (he’s an accomplished musician and songwriter, too!), Spellos harbors a lesser-known passion: saving the planet while helping those in need.  As a board member and director of technology for Rock and Wrap It Up!, an anti-poverty think tank dedicated to… more
Apr 16, 2018
Trade shows in the fashion retail sector have gone through another shift, with Liberty Fairs buying Reed Exhibitions’ Capsule shows. "Bringing the Capsule show under the Liberty Fairs Fashion Group umbrella creates an even stronger platform for all of our shows,” said Sam Ben-Avraham, founder of Liberty Fairs Fashion Group. He added, “We are always thinking about the future, about what's coming, how we create the right thing to satisfy our core audience, and also attract new eyes to what we are doing. Together, we will have more opportunities to serve the fashion space and also build our… more
Apr 16, 2018
It goes without saying that trade shows and events are tough on the environment, producing daunting amounts of waste and carbon emissions every year. According to MeetGreen, the typical conference attendee creates more than four pounds of waste and just under 400 pounds of CO2emissions per day. Multiply that by hundreds or even thousands of attendees and the environmental footprint of a typical event is pretty staggering.  As an event organizer, you know you should do your part to help the planet by taking your events in a more sustainable direction but you’re concerned that going green will… more
Apr 16, 2018
Last year was an especially green one for the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Global Center for Health Innovation, which knocked it out of the ballpark in the areas of waste diversion and recycling. The facility, which is managed by SMG,succeeded in diverting a grand total of 357,274 pounds of materials from the landfill last year, including 75,880 lbs. of cardboard; 46,440 lbs. of wood pallets; 18,480 lbs. of mixed plastic; 14,780 lbs. of mixed fibers; 10,000 pounds of glass and nearly 9,000 pounds of bulk and shredded paper, sustainable efforts that diverted 49.1 percent… more
Apr 13, 2018
Last year was a pivotal one for Detroit’s Cobo Center and its environmental initiatives, which have been highlighted in its recently released 2017 Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report. According to Claude Molinari, general manager of Cobo Center, each year the facility’s Green Committee makes great strides in expanding its environmental program, and last year was no exception.  “We were recertified by the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), hosted Sustainable Brands 2017, and made significant strides in our efforts on environmental and social stewardship of the Metro Detroit… more
Apr 12, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released its 2018 CEIR Index Report, which analyzes the 2017 exhibition industry and provides an economic and exhibition industry outlook for the next three years. The growth of the B2B exhibition industry accelerated along with the macro economy in 2017. The CEIR Total Index, a measure of overall exhibition industry performance, increased by a moderate 2 percent, 1 percentage point higher than in 2016. All four metrics rose in 2017, with real revenues leading at 2.9 percent above 2016. Attendees and net square footage rose 2.1… more
Apr 12, 2018
In an effort to deliver even more value to its customers, digital marketing and analytics software provider, Feathr, has formed technical partnerships with Convention Data Services and CompuSystems to create unique combined solutions for event planners.  Through Feathr’s partnership with Convention Data Services, an event registration, business intelligence and lead capture solutions provider, joint customers will have the ability to easily integrate both platforms, enabling CDS clients to quickly launch Feathr campaigns and more accurately measure conversions.  “As our customer base and… more
Apr 12, 2018
If the recently unveiled design drawings of its expansion project are any indication, the nearly 60-year-old Las Vegas Convention Center has a vibrant new look in its future. Presented on April 10 by architects from tvsdesign to the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the drawings depict an innovatively designed, modern-looking convention center as iconic as the city itself, according to Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the LVCVA. “This is one of the most important days in the history of the LVCVA,” Ralenkotter said. “Southern Nevada’s economy is driven by… more
Apr 11, 2018
I hear it all the time: “How do I effectively market my events?” This is one of the greatest challenges meeting planners face. They want to improve app adoption, engage attendees with content and on social media, and increase visibility for their sponsors and exhibitors. The thing is, many planners who are using event management and attendee engagement software already have the tools they need. Let’s take a look… What is marketing? First, let’s clarify what marketing is. According to the American Marketing Association: “Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for… more
Apr 10, 2018
Zuant has released two new add-on product features for its mobile lead capture cloud solution, Mobile Lead Capture App: Zuant Custom Skins and Showroom Plus.  Unveiled Feb. 26 at ExhibitorLivein Las Vegas, the new features are designed to help exhibiting companies reinforce their corporate brand and personalize customer engagement while driving revenue by shortening the sales cycle.   Zuant Custom Skins: enables event marketers and sales reps to not only customize the entire app with their own brand identity but also with rich graphical backgrounds, enabling marketing and sales teams to… 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