News

Jun 15, 2014
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority was named a 2014 CIO Top 100 company in IDG’s CIO magazine’s 27th annual CIO 100 Awards. The CIO 100 Awards recognize 100 organizations that have distinguished themselves by creating business value through the innovative use of IT. “For 27 years now, the CIO 100 awards have honored the innovative use of technology to deliver genuine business value,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor-in-chief of CIO magazine and events. “Our 2014 winners are an outstanding example of the transformative power of IT to drive everything from… more
Jun 15, 2014
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority was named a 2014 CIO Top 100 company in IDG’s CIO magazine’s 27th annual CIO 100 Awards. The CIO 100 Awards recognize 100 organizations that have distinguished themselves by creating business value through the innovative use of IT. “For 27 years now, the CIO 100 awards have honored the innovative use of technology to deliver genuine business value,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor-in-chief of CIO magazine and events. “Our 2014 winners are an outstanding example of the transformative power of IT to drive everything from… more
Jun 12, 2014
The aisles of the United Fresh 2014 show were filled with a cornucopia of mouth-watering produce , eye-popping booths, bright colors and plenty of people on the first day of the show’s opening this week at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Attendees had the opportunity to try out Pom Wonderful’s new flavorful juices and every kind of guacamole imaginable from different growers, while also taking in education on and off the showfloor, hearing high-profile speakers such as former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and networking at places like Chicago’s Millennium Park.… more
Jun 11, 2014
For the past 10 years, George Jage, founder and director of World Tea Expo, has been busy building up the show, as well as launching Healthy Beverage Expo and growing them both into successful events. World Tea Expo was such a success, that for several years it was named by now-defunct Tradeshow Week magazine one of the fastest-growing shows in the U.S. But now, Jage has decided to switch tea for another natural product by taking the lead at CannaBusiness Media, a division of Anne Holland Ventures, Inc., headquartered in Pawtucket, R.I., is a publishing and event company serving the medical… more
Jun 11, 2014
Since Reed Travel Exhibitions’ AIBTM launched a few years ago in Baltimore, its model has been to have a showfoor filled with suppliers who wanted to show off what they had to offer to buyers who were hosted by the show to come into town. But now, not only has the show decided to drastically scale back its hosted buyer program from more than 1,000 attendees this year to just 250 next year, but there also will be just 250 exhibitors on the showfloor as well, compared with 508 this year. In addition, the show’s name will be changed from AIBTM to IBTM America 2015. “We have… more
Jun 10, 2014
With the colder winter days firmly in the rearview mirror and the summer months ahead, companies have kept up a brisk hiring pace into the sunnier, longer days of the season. Atlanta-based Nth Degree has named Brad Langley as president of its Events division. In this key senior leadership role, Langley will be charged with providing overall strategic direction to and overseeing growth and client service for the company’s Events business. Langley, a seasoned professional in the global meetings and events industry, has more than 20 years in executive-level leadership roles at Creative… more
Jun 09, 2014
As a standalone event again, the OS+H Asia - 9th Occupational Safety + Health Exhibition for Asia attracted 157 exhibitors from 18 countries and attracted 5,800 trade visitors from Singapore and the region May 7-9 at Suntec Singapore. “We have had excellent feedback from exhibitors indicating what a great success OS+H Asia 2014 has been,” said Gernot Ringling, managing director of the organizer Messe Düsseldorf Asia. He added, “The exhibition was able to draw quality and targeted visitors. Exhibitors have been extremely happy with the number and diversity of… more
Jun 09, 2014
Shanghai’s recently concluded environmental trade show, IE expo, attracted 880 exhibitors and 38,000 visitors to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The show ran from 20th to 22nd May 2014 covering 50,000 m2 of exhibition space – up 27% over the previous edition. This year’s IE expo hosted 880 exhibitors from 23 countries, where 33% originated from overseas. IE expo is jointly organised by the Chinese Society for Environmental Science, Messe München International (MMI), MMI-ZM Trade Fairs (Shanghai), and the China Environment Chamber of Commerce.… more
Jun 09, 2014
Construction of the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydneyat Darling Harbour has officially started. The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia(EEAA) joined New South Wales’ Premier, Mike Baird, and Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner, at the construction site for a ground-breaking ceremony earlier this week. The EEAA was pleased to hear that the project was on-time and that the preparation of the site for commencement of construction was on target. According to Mike Baird, the overall redevelopment project of Darling Harbour Live project will provide 3,700 jobs during… more
Jun 09, 2014
The Malaysian state of Penang is planning to set-up its state convention bureau by the end of 2014. The announcement was first made at the Penang International MICE Conference in January 2013, and is currently still dependent on the success of hiring of a consultant to start work in August on formulating its structure and funding. The bureau will be named Penang International Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PICEB), and the hiring of the consultant requires the approval of the chief minister and the board of directors of Penang Global Tourism. The consultant will be tasked with drawing-up… 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