ASAE’s Springtime Expo to be Replaced in 2017 with Xperience Design Project
April 28, 2016
After more than 40 years as an event for association professionals and industry suppliers, the ASAE Springtime Expo will no longer be held, replaced instead with what is being called the Xperience Design Project
The Xperience Design Project is a two-day, business-focused experience for associations and industry partners at which participants will co-create solutions to shared challenges, as well as build meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships.
There won’t be a traditional showfloor, with attendees and industry suppliers having the opportunity to meet one-on-one in a Business Exchange environment.
“Why is ASAE launching a new event?” asked ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham, IV, FASAE, CAE. “The meeting planning industry has changed dramatically since Springtime started. Relationships are still key, but how they are created and maintained has shifted.”
He added that Springtime has served the community well, but now it was “time to move on.”
“Xperience Design Project will transform the meetings industry,” Graham said.
The new event, which was developed in partnership with 360 Live Media, will be held May 23-24 next year at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.
On day one of the new event, in a room set up that will reflect a hub and spoke concept, there will be six key topics around meeting trends: Location: Technology: Experience Strategy, Design & Production; Performance Metrics & ROI; Marketing; and Curriculum.
On day two, there will be a kick-off breakfast, followed by findings from day two Day 1 are unveiled through a “TED-style” recap.
In addition, attendees will participate in the Business Exchange, which will be one-on-one conversations with businesses in dedicated meeting space for association professionals and businesses to discuss upcoming events.
Don Neal, founder and CEO of 360 Live Media, said there are three main trends in the meetings industry impacting the way events are being held.
“Audience expectations are very different today than they were even 3-5 years ago,” he added.
For example, at any given meeting, there might be five generations in the room who all learn in unique ways.
Neal also said that new event models, such as SXSW, are constantly challenging the traditional event model, and events also are becoming more of an ‘experience’ that attendees actually have a hand in co-creating.
He described the experience of walking up to a Coca-Cola machine at which a consumer can make their own flavored drink with a myriad of choices.
“It gives a sense of ownership in the product we are creating,” he added, which can be parlayed into attendees helping to co-create an event they are taking part in as well. “There is a higher collaboration rate when collaboration occurs,” Neal said.
To develop the concept of the new event. ASAE and 360 Live Media went through a three-part development process that included: research, experience strategy and design, industry co-curation and branding of XDP.
For information and to pre-register for XDP, visit www.xdpbyasae.org.
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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