News
Nov 14, 2017
A brand experience company and an event technology service provider recently have made key acquisitions.
In an effort to enhance its interactive experience capabilities, Freeman has acquired Helios Interactive, the latest in a series of commitments Freeman has made since forming Freeman Digital Ventures, a fund set up to accelerate innovation and provide investments and partnerships supporting the increasing impact technology and digital advances are having on the brand experience category.
The acquisition of Helios will allow Freeman to improve its ability to integrate technologies… more
Nov 12, 2017
Three teams of Clark County (Nev.) student entrepreneurs earned the opportunity to pitch their business ideas at CES 2018 - owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) - Jan. 9-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The teenagers are part of the CTA Future Innovators program - established by CTA and EVERFI in 2015 - which teaches students how to apply math and creative skills to think entrepreneurially about business.
During a recent semi-final round, 17 teams of students pitched their business plans to four judges: Cindy Hoag, senior director, CTA; Helena Lagos,… more
Nov 12, 2017
The PCMA Education Foundation Leadership Committee reviewed an extraordinary group of candidates for the 2018 Board of Trustees. Following committee deliberations and approval by the current Board of Trustees, the slate was deemed elected. Officers and Trustees will immediately take office Jan. 11 following the PCMA annual meeting, Convening Leaders in Nashville, Tenn.
2017 SLATE OF TRUSTEES
Chair: David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company
Term: 2018
Chair-Elect: Carol McGury, MPS
Executive Vice President, Events and Education Services
SmithBucklin Corporation
Term:… more
Nov 12, 2017
As the total amount of exhibition space available around the world continues to grow, exhibition organizers have a more and more diverse choice of venues available in their target markets.
Data released by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, shows that the number of venues offering more than 100,000 square meters (1.1 million square feet) of gross indoor exhibition space is the fastest growing segment, while the number of venues offering at least 5,000 square meters (53,000 square feet) of gross exhibition space also continues to grow.
“We are pleased to see that in… more
Nov 10, 2017
Leaders representing the meetings, travel and hospitality sectors gathered Oct. 10 during IMEX America at the Sands Expo & Convention Center to support #VegasStrong, the hashtag that represents the resiliency of Las Vegas after a mass shooting occurred at the Route 91 Harvest Festival 10 days earlier.
The Sands Showroom was packed for the press conference with individuals from the Las Vegas hospitality community, as well as media and executives from industry associations, including IAEE, SISO and ASAE.
A video played first with an Andre Agassi voiceover asking “What Is Strength” and… more
Nov 09, 2017
With an NFC-enabled mobile app, attendees can check into an event or individual sessions, swap contact details or collect content, all by using their own smartphones. While Android phones have offered access to NFC capability for some time, it’s taken longer for the iPhone to catch up, with Apple announcing earlier this year that the existing NFC capability on the iPhone (currently used primarily for Apple Pay) was being opened-up to third-party app developers in the iOS 11 update.
Since then, Noodle Live has been working to integrate this new functionality into their Android and iPhone… more
Nov 09, 2017
This article is the first in a series that we will be running throughout the holiday season shining a bright, well-deserved spotlight on companies that are #GivingBack.
Is your company #GivingBack? Tweet us using the #GivingBack hashtag to @TSNN_com_us and we’ll feature what your company is doing to help make the world a better place!
Several event, exhibit and airline companies are doing their part to give of their time and energy in an effort to help build a kinder and more equitable world.
Last month, representatives from three SMG-managed convention centers teamed up with a dozen… more
Nov 09, 2017
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau has created a new multicultural sales team to help build on its success in attracting multicultural meetings and conventions to the region.
The move, which is a strategic allocation of CVB resources to attract and win more diverse business, comes in response to industry trends and changing national demographics indicating strong and continuing growth in the multicultural sector of the tourism and hospitality industry in the coming years.
“We are committed to making Cincinnati the most welcoming city in America,” said Mike Laatsch, COO of… more
Nov 08, 2017
Four event technology companies have teamed up to create EventTechHub, a collaborative initiative featuring fully integrated digital solutions designed to make event planning more efficient, increase attendee engagement and grow event revenue opportunities.
EventTechHub brings together Eventinterface, an event management platform; Piitchr, which directly connects speakers with planners; Tap To Speak, a web-based tool that enables live audiences to communicate with speakers in real-time, and Zenus, a facial recognition solution for fast and secure event check-in.
“Event and meeting planners… more
Nov 08, 2017
The Vancouver Convention Centre has set a new bar in the event sustainability realm. Last month, the already greener-than-green convention center’s West building was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification (version 4) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance by the Canada Green Building Council.
Coupled with its 2010 LEED Platinum certification for New Construction, the VCC now owns the bragging rights for being the only double LEED Platinum convention center in the world.
“While the Vancouver Convention Centre was built to the highest… 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