Association Executives Heading to St. Louis in August for ASAE Annual Meeting
June 19, 2011
More than 5,000 attendees are expected to take part in the American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 6-9 in St. Louis, with some of those participants coming from local medical associations, such as Optimists International, American Optometric Association and American Association of Orthodontists.
“Association professionals and meeting planners call ASAE the ‘Super Bowl’ of conventions, and that is a very valid comparison,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Convention.
She added, “Member associations dominate this $102 billion meetings industry, spending more than $60 billion annually to hold meetings and conventions. ASAE is a great opportunity for us, and our many partners to showcase St. Louis as a super region for future meetings and conventions.”
ASAE will bring together 3,000 association executives, 2,500 industry suppliers and 500 other participants to St. Louis for an array of educational and networking opportunities, according to the St. Louis CVC.
It is estimated 1,400 association CEOs will attend the four-day convention, as well as senior executives responsible for administration, technology, communications, marketing, publications, meetings and education.
Several of the association executives, including the medical ones, will come from the approximately 900 associations in the St. Louis area.
Some of the larger national associations located in the region are the American Soybean Association, National Association of Electrical Distributors and Electrical Apparatus Service Association, as well as diverse associations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Supplier representatives from most major airlines, hotel brands, and convention & visitors bureau in the United States and around the world also will be on hand, along with suppliers from the banking and investments, computer and communications industries.
“ASAE will bring the best and brightest in the association world to St. Louis to exchange ideas and network with colleagues,” Ratcliffe said. “We look forward to showing ASAE members what a vibrant and high-energy region we are for work, business, networking and play.”
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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