News

Mar 25, 2017
The Association for Women in Events (AWE), a not for profit organization supporting gender equality and diversity in the event industry, has unveiled its Hall of Fame Recognition Program, hosted by the AWE Awards Committee. The AWE Awards Committee was formed with a vision to create an engaged group of recognized people and programs that exemplify AWE values to serve as an ongoing resource for inspiration, guidance and leadership. The AWE Hall of Fame will recognize the advancement of women in events by honoring women and men with a categorical award. Categories for nominations are: Disruptor… more
Mar 24, 2017
Vinexpo, the international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals, is gearing up enter the world’s largest wine-consuming market with its first U.S. trade show. Scheduled March 5-6, 2018, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Vinexpo New York is expected to host 200 exhibitors from wine-producing regions throughout the globe, along with 3,000 attendees, including importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. “We’re excited to combine forces with Vinexpo to bring the international world of wine and spirits to New York – the… more
Mar 23, 2017
Trade Show News Network will collocate its 8th Annual 2017 TSNN Awards: Celebrating Success with Connect Expo, which is a part of Connect Marketplace, Aug. 21-23 in New Orleans. As the premiere awards program in the trade show industry celebrating fastest-growing shows, more than 50 show organizers will be feted during the three-day event (www.T-awards.com). “We are very excited to do something a little different this year and collocate the 8th Annual TSNN Awards with Connect Expo,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. She added, “Connect Expo is a perfect fit for the TSNN Awards, with each… more
Mar 23, 2017
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Chairman Gary C. Sherwin, CDME and President and CEO of Visit Newport Beach, Inc. and President and CEO Don Welsh unveiled that DMAI will become Destinations International, effective July 2017 during its Annual Convention in Montreal.  The announcement was made during the 2017 CEO Summit at The Westin Nashville, where a record 182 guests were in attendance.  Through collaboration with Miles Partnership, feedback gathered from stakeholder interviews, paired with extensive analysis of key operational facets of the Association… more
Mar 22, 2017
Positive vibes, robust attendance and a bustling, sold-out trade show floor added up to a record-breaking year for the International Roofing Expo, held March 1-3 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Owned and operated by Informa Exhibitions, the annual tradeshow and conference for the roofing industry drew 11,273 commercial and residential roofing construction professionals and 476 exhibitors spanning a 131,700 square foot showfloor. “This was an amazing show to find leading-edge products, high-level education and numerous networking opportunities,” said Tracy Garcia, IRE show… more
Mar 22, 2017
The Board of Directors of Visit Mobile (Ala.) have tapped hospitality professional, David Clark, to fill the role of president and CEO, beginning April 1. Clark joins The Visit Mobile team with 29 years of hospitality, lodging, tourism and leadership pf which 27 of those years working and living in Coastal Alabama. “I am excited to join the Visit Mobile team and stakeholders to continue to raise the bar with promoting tourism, lodging and positioning Mobile as one of the South’s leading destinations,” Clark said. He added, “I believe that Visit Mobile is about sales, service and experience… more
Mar 22, 2017
Convention industry telecommunications provider Smart City Networks has signed a two-year contract with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which manages the Hawai’i Convention Center. The contract stipulates that Smart City now is the Honolulu-based facility’s exclusive internet and data services provider through Dec. 2018. The tech company had been operating under an interim agreement since Nov. 2016, after which Smart City completed an entire overhaul of the HCC’s data and wireless capabilities in a record-setting 27 days. “The network install and wireless upgrade… more
Mar 21, 2017
Decked out with spring flowers, EXHIBITORLive 2017 offered a fresh take on attendee engagement and experiential marketing, blending ingenious design with seamless technology and thoughtful giveaways. The 29th annual conference and expo drew approximately 6,000 trade show and event marketing professionals March 12-16 to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Among the show’s more than 200 exhibitors, the showfloor sparkled with ideas, including a wide range of innovative engagement experiences. Czarnowski celebrated its 70th anniversary with a “Dinner Party” in an exhibit… more
Mar 21, 2017
Exhibition organiser, E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. (EJK) has announced plans to launch a new event serving the music industry in China. The new show, the Music Industry Grand Expo and Conference, will be held at the New International Exhibition & Convention Center in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, from 9th to 11th November 2017. Organised by EJK, the China Music Industry Promotion Committee and the Sichuan Xinhua Publishing Group, a state owned enterprise for cultural institutions, the Music Industry Grand Expo and Conference will feature an industry forum,… more
Mar 21, 2017
The Shenyang New World EXPO opened to glowing accolades March 1. Located in Liaoning province’s capital city, EXPO is positioned to become an exhibition and meeting industry magnet for China’s northeastern geographical region consisting of the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, according to venue officials. The opening event was the 2017 DPES Sign and LED Expo China - Shenyang held March 1-3. As the venue’s first trade show, buyers primarily from Northeast China viewed current digital, printing, signage and engraving equipment, systems and technology. The event, including … 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