Nov 01, 2019
Following an insightful session on leadership at IMEX, I was surprised to see a woman in a white doctor’s coat enter the room. “Everyone, stand up!” she said. Oh, great, I thought to myself — is this going to be one of those awkward, “go introduce yourself to someone new” activities? It turned out to be something much more fun.
Sarah Routman, founder of the company Laugh Healthy and a self-proclaimed “laugh doctor,” proceeded to lead our group in a new-to-me kind of exercise: laughter yoga. We practiced forced laughter, pretended to toss an imaginary laughing emoji up in the air, focused on… more
Oct 29, 2019
In 2018, the United States recorded 340 mass shootings and 108 natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, severe thunderstorms, wildfires and more), making it feel like emergencies are everywhere. Whether emergencies are more prolific than they used to be or not, the reality is event organizers must be ready for an emergency of any type to occur during their event. As such, emergency preparedness has gone well beyond hiring a team of security guards to stand at the door.
Event organizers must be prepared to keep their participants safe both inside and outside of the event. They… more
Oct 28, 2019
We’re all born curious – we came into the world with innate fascination and a desire to explore and experiment. As we get older and our lives are more structured, our creative self often takes a back seat to other life priorities.
As trade show and event organizers, we strive to be innovative, but the creative process is often mired in organizational layers. So the question becomes, how can we be truly creative in the face of personal and professional constraints?
The CEMA Roadshow workshop in Chicago earlier this month sought to answer that question. Under the sage guidance of former… more
Oct 25, 2019
You’ve been working on this trade show or conference for months — years, maybe — and your anxiety is through the roof as it approaches. You know that you can’t control every aspect of your event, and something, however minor, is bound to go wrong.
Stress and anxiety manifest in many different ways, such as sweating, a racing heart, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, insomnia … the list goes on. But when you anticipate what’s to come and approach your event with a sense of calm, feeling collected and in control, you’ll prepare yourself to better handle any situation that comes… more
Oct 24, 2019
Many associations do not have a strategic plan for their events, according to a survey of more than 100 association leaders and decision-makers conducted by general service contracting company T3 Expo. This finding and more were revealed and discussed at length at the company’s 2ndAnnual Executive Leadership Forum, held Oct. 10 at the W Washington D.C. hotel in Washington, D.C.
The annual survey focuses on critical issues necessary for trade show success, growth and increasing revenue. Conducted along with Heidrick & Struggles, an executive recruitment and placement firm, and Professor… more
Oct 22, 2019
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveiled this year’s recipients of its awards program, which recognizes outstanding contributions by IAEE members and member companies.
Along with the Woman of Achievement and International Excellence award winners, which were announced earlier this year, these award recipients will be honored at the Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Dec. 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The 2019 IAEE Award Winners were selected after careful consideration… more
Oct 21, 2019
Exhibitors trying to minimize their trade show exhibiting expenses might want to get their hands on “Demystifying Electrical Services for the Exhibitor,” the newest Industry Insights Series Report released by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.
A must-read for new exhibitors in particular, the report details a step-by-step process for determining how much electrical power is needed for an expo booth; how to clearly layout where to install power, and other tips and tricks for minimizing cost and time, and ensuring a smooth installation.
“The logistics of planning an exhibit booth… more
Oct 16, 2019
The Expo Group unveiled the top four honorees of The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards.
These awards are run independently of any industry associations with a judging panel of trade show professionals to honor unsung heroes of events and trade shows.
“This program is a way for us to give back to our profession by drawing attention to the people who impress everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said President and COO of The Expo Group Randy Pekowski.
He added, “By presenting these awards and making donations to the award winners’ choice of charities,… more
Oct 15, 2019
The 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo Europe concluded its largest, most international show to date last month. Held Sept. 24-27 at Brussels Expo in Belgium, the 2019 event covered nine halls and nearly 40,000 square meters (430,500 square feet) of floor space, up from 37,600 square meters (404,700 square feet) in 2017. The show had more live demonstrations and offerings in the label and package printing technology space than ever before, drawing nearly 38,000 attendees from 140 countries.
Show officials report that India, China and Japan were particularly well represented in the… more
Oct 08, 2019
Almost three out of four Americans are unprepared for the October 2020 deadline for full implementation of REAL ID, and millions could be prevented from boarding a plane due to lack of required identification, according to a U.S. Travel Association-commissioned study.
To combat this problem, USTA is leading an initiative by private-sector travel stakeholders to better prepare the country for the REAL ID deadline. The association has developed a toolkit filled with resources for its membership and other allies to help educate Americans about REAL ID and is coordinating engagement with… 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