Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia Lends Support to Queensland Region
August 19, 2012
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) recently supported the Queensland region by holding its board meeting and a series of roundtable and networking events at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, which will host the G20 Conference in 2014.
The event drew a turnout of members and stakeholders and followed similar meetings that have been held in Adelaide and Perth as part of the EEAA’s focus on connecting with members around Australia and discussing issues that impact upon member businesses, according to association officials.
EEAA President Matthew Pearce, who also is managing director of Diversified Exhibitions Australia,urged members to become more involved in the association and support the development of the Market Monitor to ensure a true picture of the Queensland industry could be built over time.
“Winning the G20 Conference is further evidence that Brisbane is a global player in the exhibition and events market and the Queensland industry needs to be strongly represented in the association,” Pearce said.
He added, “Given that the majority of EEAA members based in Queensland are national players with clients throughout Australia, there are clear benefits from having a strong voice within the Association.”
EEAA General Manager Joyce DiMascio said after the meeting that the ideas generated from the member roundtable were extremely valuable.
She added, “Getting this input from the people at the coal face is critical to the work we do on behalf of our Membership.”
DiMascio said, “Our Queensland Members are looking to the association for support in conveying to clients the power of exhibitions as well as encouraging tertiary institutions to include more course content on exhibitions. This is important for the professional development of our industry.”
The events were hosted by EEAA Treasurer Bob O’Keeffe, CEO of Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Among the guests at the cocktail reception after the member roundtable were the head of Business Events Queensland, Sandra Passaro, and director of the Brisbane Convention Bureau, Annabel Sullivan.
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
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