Oct 05, 2017
The Art Basel art show plans to remain at the Miami Beach Convention Center for the long-term, as evidenced by a five-year agreement the show will sign with The City of Miami Beach on Oct. 5 at Miami Beach City Hall. This year’s event, set for Dec. 7-10, will mark the 16th edition of the modern and contemporary art show that draws visitors from across the U.S. and the globe to Miami Beach. Last year, the fair attracted 77,000 attendees and 269 international galleries spanning 29 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. “This agreement is comparable to locking in… more
Oct 04, 2017
A strong roster of expert speakers leading sessions is critical in an event’s appeal to attendees. In addition to events promoting their speaker lineup, speakers promoting the events they participate in can help push attendance growth. While not all show organizers are utilizing this grassroots effort, many have found it to be a critical tool and likewise, many speakers are eager to contribute to an event’s success. “Because of the ease of use in posting to social media and even creating videos (after all, how hard is it to stick your face in front of your computer’s webcam, hit ‘record’… more
Oct 03, 2017
MGM Resorts International will provide donations through the MGM Resorts Foundation in the amount of $3 million to fund humanitarian assistance to victims of the Las Vegas shooting, along with organizations who provide support to those who are first on the scene to assist in traumatic events. "There are simply no words to express our grief and outrage over this senseless and horrific attack on our community," said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts. "Yet in this devastating time, we are inspired. From the heroic stories of victims on the ground who placed the safety of strangers and… more
Oct 03, 2017
For event planners and marketers, analytical reports can be gold mines for driving registrations, adoption of tools and calculating ROI. However, the true potential of analytics remains underutilized in testing the effectiveness of marketing efforts, testing new audience segments and creating impactful cross-promotional efforts. This is mostly because there are a plethora of options and features available, as well as disconnected channels that add significant complexity to the analytical process and make accurate attribution extremely difficult. If you have been struggling with putting your… more
Oct 03, 2017
Last week, the Anaheim Convention Center unveiled its biggest and most significant expansion in nearly two decades: ACC North, boasting 200,000 square feet of flexible, two-level meeting and event space. The addition of the new building officially marks the ACC’s induction into the “1 million-square-foot-club,” increasing its ranking to the 11th largest convention facility in the U.S. and preserving its standing as the largest on the West Coast. “This is a transformative event for the Anaheim Convention Center,” said Tom Morton, executive director of Anaheim’s Convention Sports &… more
IMEX America
Oct 02, 2017
In the wake of the mass shooting last night on the site of the Route 91 Harvest country music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, several shows scheduled in Las Vegas in the coming week have released statements. Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which is set to open Oct. 3-5 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, attracts more than 450 exhibitors and 26,000 attendees. American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman released the following statement: "The American Gaming Association and our Global Gaming Expo (G2E) partner, Reed Exhibitions, are closely… more
Sep 29, 2017
Smart City Networks, a provider of technology and telecommunications services for the convention industry, has embarked upon a process to convert phone lines at 39 convention centers and venues to SIP trunking in the next year. The upgrade is expected to improve reliability, performance and cost at these facilities, according to Smart City officials. While not the in-demand technology in the current industry landscape, phone service in public assembly areas can play a key role in emergency response situations, as demonstrated in Houston with Hurricane Harvey, Florida with Hurricane Irma and… more
Sep 29, 2017
Show organizers will have an opportunity to find even more answers to their questions about sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) at this year’s IMEX America. The annual exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events industry is set for Oct. 10-12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian | The Palazzo in Las Vegas. From environmental best practices and making a business for green to pairing the right CSR activity with an event and eliminating waste at meetings, new CSR and environmentally focused learning sessions will grace the show’s Sustainability… more
Sep 28, 2017
If the Los Angeles Convention Center’s recent fiscal report is any indication, the Downtown L.A. facility most certainly is not a loss-leader, but rather an integral economic impact generator for the City of Los Angeles. The LACC recently reported generating a record-breaking $781 million of economic impact for the City in fiscal year 2016/2017, with $478 million attributed to convention attendee direct spending. An additional $26.4 million was generated in tax revenues to the City, with $18.2 million in hotel transient-occupancy tax contributions to the City’s general fund – an increase of… more
Sep 27, 2017
Core-apps has updated and enhanced its Access 365 product, an event app feature that allows show organizers to extend the life of their apps beyond their events. The new updates not only provide associations and event planners with a flexible payment structure but also technical enhancements designed to help turn an event app into a year-round engagement tool. The new pricing model features a low monthly fee to help mitigate the upfront costs of implementation, thus lowering the barrier of entry so organizers can engage with their audiences 365 days a year. This goes into effect immediately… 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