News
Jul 18, 2022
After a two-year hiatus, industry leaders, innovators, experts, artists and creators harmoniously reunited at The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference for global music product, pro audio and sound and entertainment technology industry professionals.
Held June 3-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., the streamlined, three-day platform for the $17 billion music products industry pivoted back to face-to-face by welcoming a smaller but serious audience of 46,627 attendees from more than 111 countries and… more
Jul 15, 2022
ExpoPlatform, an international event technology company supporting leading global exhibition organizers with digital innovations for more valuable in-person events, released the findings of its recent “Event Tech Returns to Live” survey. The results pointed to the main obstacles event professionals face in the new era of events and the ways digital tools can help overcome them.
Exhibitor ROI is the most important challenge facing event organizers as the in-person comeback continues, according to the research, with 66% of respondents ranking it as a high priority. A seamless experience across… more
Jul 14, 2022
VenuIQ, a leading platform for live, hybrid and virtual events, and akire productions, an event production agency, announced a strategic initiative to accelerate growth, create new technology for the industry and produce a variety of events.
akire productions has been and will continue to be VenuIQ's premier event production partner, and the higher-level strategic partnership will pave the way for innovative features to be unveiled in the coming months, according to John D’Adamo, head of sales, USA for VenuIQ
"Together, we will be collaborating on new solutions to revolutionize the events… more
Jul 14, 2022
E3, the world’s largest and most important event in the video gaming industry, will make its long-awaited in-person return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in June 2023.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) teamed with boutique RX Global division ReedPop, the veteran event production company behind PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration and other acclaimed pop culture events, to produce E3 2023. The event will reunite global gaming industry developers, manufacturers, buyers, licensors and media professionals for a week of momentous reveals, earth-shaking world premieres… more
Jul 14, 2022
Convention delegates staying at Resorts World Las Vegas now have a faster, greener and more convenient way to get to and from meetings and trade shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Unveiled June 30, the new Las Vegas Convention Center Loop passenger station, located beneath the resort, provides direct underground access to the LVCC’s West station in just minutes via all-electric Tesla Model X and Model Y vehicles traveling at 35-40 miles per hour.
Created by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, the Resorts World station is the fourth to be added to the LVCC Loop, an all-… more
Jul 12, 2022
When it comes to achieving true sustainability, the meetings and events industry has a lot of work to do. For decades, many planners have been touting the “green” practices they’ve been carrying out at events such as going paperless, recycling, reducing waste and reusing signage, all with good intentions. But when faced with the hard, cold fact that the industry by its very nature creates temporary experiences in an extremely wasteful way, producing massive amounts of carbon emissions in the process, are those low-hanging-fruit-type practices really enough? The answer is obvious.
It’s time… more
Jul 11, 2022
As the return of face-to-face trade shows gains momentum, event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad are forming new partnerships, scooping up compatible businesses and announcing office expansions as they move steadily toward a busier and brighter post-pandemic future. Take a look!
Heritage Exposition Services
Heritage Exposition Services, a privately owned and operated general service contractor specializing in trade show, convention and event experiences, recently expanded into a new operations facility in Phoenix. Five times larger than its original facility, the new space… more
Jul 08, 2022
LightFair 2022 united thousands of lighting industry professionals in-person last month for a conference and trade show that was a resounding success. The industry’s largest annual lighting event took place June 19-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing more than 10,000 attendees for five days of brisk business, valuable networking and bustling energy.
“LightFair has proven yet again how important it is for the lighting industry to connect under one roof—this event is where emerging technologies are discovered, lighting trends are communicated and industry news is unveiled,” said Dan… more
Jul 08, 2022
As the venerable Event Technology Awards (ETA) approaches its 10th anniversary this fall, two new categories based on increasingly trending industry topics were just added to the list: “Best Metaverse Experience” and “Best Sustainable Tech Solution.”
The metaverse is a hot topic in the events industry at the moment, especially when coupled with how it can best use it to enhance future events and encourage audience interaction within the virtual world, according to Adam Perry, co-founder of ETA and co-creator of Event Tech Live.
“We want to hear from event organizers who are already… more
Jul 07, 2022
International Market Center (IMC) wrapped up its latest Atlanta Apparel market on a high note, with impressive attendance and order writing, as well as growing brand relationships between buyers and exhibitors.
The market, held June 8-11 at AmericasMart Atlanta, is one of five yearly Atlanta Apparel shows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors and industry professionals, and the last opportunity for buyers and brands to finalize orders for autumn and winter 2022, as well as source immediates.
Depending on the time of year, Atlanta Apparel markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young… 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