News
Jan 10, 2018
The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Global Center for Health Innovation recently has completed two significant facility upgrades geared toward improving energy efficiency and enhancing its exhibitor services.
Late last year, the facility replaced 140 metal-halide light bulbs in its truck loading dock with LED technology bulbs as well as installed a permanent pneumatic air distribution system (compressed air) in the utilidor beneath the exhibit hall floor.
“These facility upgrades were aimed at increasing energy efficiency and lowering operating costs, providing a valuable… more
Jan 09, 2018
Visit Seattle has unveiled a new event planner-focused video that takes a unique and artistic approach in showcasing what the Pacific Northwestern destination has to offer.
Using paper cut animation, “Seattle: A City Ready for You,” not only highlights typical events checklist items in Seattle such as walkability, convention centers, hotel supply and airlift, but also the myriad trailblazing collaborators and innovative companies clustered in the city’s bustling downtown.
Created in collaboration with local Seattle creative agency PB&, the video is designed to be a new tool Visit… more
Jan 09, 2018
Hannover Fairs USA is gearing up to debut DOMOTEX USA, a new trade show and conference for the U.S. residential floor covering industry.
Set for Feb. 28-March 2, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the event is slated be a U.S. extension of Deutsche Messe’s global portfolio of flooring events, including DOMOTEX, launched in Hannover, Germany in 1988.
DOMOTEX USA will include expo space, conferences and education, and feature flooring and flooring innovations, with exhibitors displaying the latest machine-made carpets, wall-to-wall carpeting, textile floor coverings,… more
Jan 08, 2018
Experiential events and exhibitions production company, Hargrove, has been acquired by the parent holding company of PSAV, a global provider of audiovisual and event experiences.
No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.
The acquisition not only brings together a premium experiential events and trade show company with one of the largest event experience providers in North America and Europe, but also marks PSAV’s ownership group’s entry into the global trade show market and the acceleration of its expansion into live experiential events.
For Hargrove, the acquisition by PSAV will… more
Jan 05, 2018
The holiday spirit extended before and after the new year to the signing of plenty of new contracts for suppliers and venues serving the trade show industry.
The Expo Group will provide event-related services to International Carwash Association as ICA seeks to boost the experience of their attendee, exhibitor and sponsor stakeholders at The Car Wash Show.
The Car Wash Show is the largest convention in its sector, bringing together buyers and sellers from more than 30 countries. The Car Wash Show is ranked No.148 on the Trade Show News Network Top 250 list.
“The Expo Group has the… more
Jan 04, 2018
In an effort to draw more top-tier trade shows to Boston, Teamsters Local 25 has launched the city’s first trade show worker training program.
The goal of the program is to create more skilled workers while elevating Boston’s trade show business to match its bustling tourism industry, thus creating jobs and growing economic impact.
“Boston is a top destination for international tourists and working together, we can make it a top destination for the most coveted trade shows,” explained Sean M. O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25.
He continued, “Having an educated and well-trained… more
Jan 04, 2018
Event production company, Shepard, has made its second buy this winter with the acquisition of Northern Virginia-based Production Associates, a full-service audio-visual management, staging and consulting company that provides services to association, corporate and government events.
“We are excited to welcome Production Associates to our growing Shepard AV family,” said Stuart Danneman, executive vice president of Shepard AV. “They bring to the team a strong service-based culture, innovative technology and a thriving presence in the Virginia, Maryland and DC markets.”
According to Shepard… more
Jan 04, 2018
Apple has published updated App Store guidelines, adding specific arrangement for exhibition and event mobile applications.
Apple uses the App Store Guidelines to work with app developers, to ensure that the programs offered through the company's App Store are in line with user experience standards.
In June, Apple announced iOS 11 and introduced changes to its App Review Guidelines. Among the changes was a section that had the event industry concerned:
Section 4.2.6: Apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service will be rejected.
This change was interpreted by… more
Jan 03, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently opened a regional office in Latin America.
Based in Bogota, Colombia, the new office will serve the growing number of UFI members across Latin America, and will be the base for collaborations with national and region industry associations like AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA and UBRAFE.
The position of the UFI Regional Manager for Latin America will be filled by Ana Maria Arango.
"UFI is the global association for our exhibition industry. I am very pleased that we are now in a position to also have a permanent presence in Latin America… more
Jan 02, 2018
More than 70 senior exhibitions industry executives converged on Dec. 6 at Savoy Place in London for Transform Europe, a conference focused on event data, analytics and digital strategy.
Organized by strategy consultancy AMR International, the event provided delegates with critical insights into a range of top-of-mind topics including the commercial benefits and competitive advantage of implementing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); how the “customer-first” mantra needs to apply to data and analytics initiatives for valuable impact; the importance of fostering a culture of… 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