Jun 22, 2015
After 27 years with Reed Exhibitions, Chairman Mike Rusbridge will retire at the end of 2015. Chet Bruchett was promoted to CEO of the company earlier in the year.
“Mike’s achievement at Reed Exhibitions has been outstanding,” said Erik Engstrom, RELX Group CEO. “Over the two decades he has led the company and built the world’s largest exhibitions business, delivering consistent growth over 20 years. I wish him well for the future.”
Rusbridge joined Reed Exhibitions as its CEO Europe in 1988, becoming president of Europe and Asia in 1994 and appointed Chairman & CEO in 1996.
During… more
Jun 08, 2015
U.K.-based UBM has named Simon Foster, current CEO of UBM EMEA, as CEO of UBM Americas.
Foster takes over for Sally Shankland, who stepped down a few weeks ago and has a new position with McGraw-Hill Education.
“We feel Simon is very well placed to lead the UBM Americas business,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold. “He has extensive experience in managing integrations and has deep knowledge of our products, key customers and people in the region, having previously had responsibility for many of these business units.”
Foster will step into his new post June 29 and his focus will be on continuing the… more
May 28, 2015
The month of May has been an unusually busy one for new hires across a wide variety of companies in the trade show industry.
The Expo Group hired Lloyd van Meter its new general manager in its Las Vegas offices. Van Meter has extensive freight expertise, as well as 15 years in the trade show industry and strong leadership skills honed in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Expo Group also named Mitchell Gross as the new leader of its growing custom exhibits department. Gross also will continue to lead the Finance department for the company. Prior to becoming operations manager for MC2 Events Exhibits… more
May 22, 2015
Nine months after being appointed CEO of UBM Americas, Sally Shankland will be stepping down at the end of June to pursue an opportunity in a different industry.
“Sally’s commitment to UBM has been significant. She has seen the Group transformed from a print-heavy conglomerate into an Events-focused media and communications business,” said Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM.
He added, “Her role within this transformation has been noteworthy, particularly her long tenure as leader of our U.S. medical media assets. I thank her warmly for her contribution and wish her every success in her new role.”… more
May 12, 2015
As part of an ongoing series, TSNN Reporter Traci Browne has been profiling trade show executives and asking them probing questions like it’s the day before your show and there’s a zombie apocalypse – what would your first thought be? She got Mike Blackman to play along this month in our interview series. Traci met Mike at the SISO Executive Conference in Atlantic City, and said, “I knew right away he would be the perfect interview subject.”
Mike Blackman
Managing Director
Integrated Systems Events
30 Years In Industry
Traci Browne: Where did you grow up? What was your adolescent… more
Apr 30, 2015
There were several high-profile shifts in show management recently, with some people retiring, others named into new positions and another taking on a new role altogether.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation promoted Melissa Schilling to the position of director, Exhibitions & Conferences. Schilling’s most recent position with the organization was director, Recruitment & Retention, a title she held since 2012.
Schilling worked on the development and organization of NSSF’s many conferences and shows, including its annual Industry Summit, Congressional Fly-In and the SHOT Show, one… more
Apr 16, 2015
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Board of Directors appointed Lori Healey as CEO of the agency that oversees Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Healey comes to MPEA from the Chicago-based investment and urban economic development firm Tur Partners LLC, where she served as CEO. She succeeds Jim Reilly, who announced previously that he would be stepping down in 2015.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Lori‘s caliber of experience to lead the MPEA team during these exciting times, with construction of the event center and the headquarters hotel set to begin shortly,” said… more
Apr 09, 2015
This past month has been a busy one with several long-time industry figures switching jobs, being promoted or returning to prior places of employment.
In addition, there was the sad news that Earl C. Hargrove, founder of general service contracting firm Hargrove Inc., passed away at the age of 86.
A celebration of his life is planned for April 11, beginning 11 a.m. at St. James’ Church, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, Md. 20711, followed by internment.
Family and friends may visit April 10, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at his home, Holly Springs Farm, 571 West… more
Apr 06, 2015
Earl C. Hargrove, founder of Hargrove, a general service contracting company, passed away at age 86.
Hargrove CEO Tim McGill and President Carla Hargrove-McGill issued the following statement:
“It is with a very heavy heart that we share the news that Earl C. Hargrove, Jr., an icon of the events industry, passed away peacefully early this morning surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old.”
A very proud Marine Corps veteran, he began his career as a window dresser for stores in Washington, DC at the end of World War II. He was an industry pioneer, able to foresee a future… more
Feb 17, 2015
Supplier and show organizers alike promoted from within and brought on new personnel for a variety of positions across the trade show industry in the past month.
Reed Exhibitions appointed Nick Pilbeam to the position of divisional director – Travel.
Pilbeam will oversee the travel division under Reed Travel Exhibitions, which includes the International Luxury Travel Market portfolio, World Travel Market portfolio and the newly branded ibtm events portfolio of global and regional events providing business solutions on five continents.
They include ibtm world, ibtm arabia, ibtm… 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