Feb 01, 2024
Returning to its traditional January dates for the first time since the pandemic, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show brought together more than 62,000 attendees who are part of the $17 billion music products industry — a double-digit increase over last year’s attendance numbers.
Held Jan. 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center (ACC), the NAMM Show featured more than 1,600 exhibitors displaying more than 3,500 brands. Comprising 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals, NAMM produced its largest event since 2020.
The music industry has experienced… more
Feb 01, 2024
The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), which opened Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 1, features 620,000 square feet of exhibit space with 1,434 exhibitors — the largest trade show floor in IPPE’s history, covering all four halls of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
The vast trade show floor showcases the latest technology, equipment and services used in the production and processing of animal food, meat and poultry and egg products. About 30,000 visitors from 120 countries are expected to attend, but final numbers won’t be available until after the show… more
Jan 30, 2024
On Jan. 10, American Psychological Association Senior Director, Meetings and Events Desirée Knight, who served as 2023 PCMA Chair, officially passed the gavel to Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops on the main stage at Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24) in San Diego.
Hoops, the first destination marketing organization (DMO) leader to chair the association, addressed the audience, which peaked at more than 4,200 during the three-day annual event – the largest ever, according to PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat.
Prior to taking the stage, Hoops sat down with us at the Visit Indy… more
Jan 29, 2024
A group of six trade show industry associations have joined forces to form the Exhibitions Industry Collective, a coalition created to drive awareness on crucial, top-of-mind issues within the exhibitions ecosystem such as workforce development, sustainability and health and safety.
The new Collective comprises key organizations including the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of… more
Jan 26, 2024
CES 2024 Attracts Record International and Startup Participation, Shares Strategic Growth Strategies
Displaying everything from flying cars and transparent TVs to ice cream robots and artificial intelligence-enhanced products, CES 2024 was a triumph. Spanning over 2.5 million square feet (pending an audit) — an estimated 15% increase from last year’s 2.2 million net square feet — the 57th annual CES was the largest such show since COVID-19 decimated live events.
The number of exhibitors jumped to more than 4,300, up from 3,200 in 2023, while more than 135,000 attendees gathered at a dozen venues, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, for the Jan. 9-12 show, compared to 115,000… more
Jan 18, 2024
What do attendees want in 2024? The good news: More events, according to the latest Freeman Trends Report, “2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior.” In fact, 92% of respondents said they will attend more in-person events in 2024 than in 2023, according to a comprehensive behavioral assessment of B2B events by global events company Freeman.
Building on the findings and insights of Freeman’s Q1 2023 Trends Report that identified attendee gaps, analyzed sentiment and revealed expectations, the 2024 report surveyed attendees to find out what’s changed, what’s remaining the same and what to expect… more
Jan 16, 2024
In an effort to drive growth and a strong corporate culture, global exhibition and live events industry experiential marketing and logistics partner Global Experience Specialists (GES) recently made two major executive promotions: Jeff Quade and Jason Stead to president of GES Exhibitions – North America and GES Exhibitions – EMEA, respectively.
Deeper dive with Jeff Quade
With more than three decades of executive leadership experience at GES, Quade leads the North American business unit of GES Exhibitions, which includes its leading trade show general service contractor business, housing… more
Jan 15, 2024
What’s trending in group food and beverage (F&B) as 2024 begins? We asked Eric Vaughn, executive director of culinary operations for CAESARS FORUM and the Las Vegas region, to share what his F&B team is preparing for events at Caesars Entertainment venues in Las Vegas this year.
Vaughn is responsible for banquet and culinary operations at all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas properties, which include Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Cromwell, Flamingo, LINQ hotel, LINQ promenade and CAESARS FORUM. Bringing more than 18 years of experience with Caesars Entertainment… more
Jan 09, 2024
Industry acquisitions and consolidations, rising costs, brand launches, attendance and travel trends and the rise of next-gen event technology topped the list of most popular topics for trade show professionals in 2023.
Many of last year’s most-read stories not only helped show organizers navigate their biggest challenges, but also celebrated the industry’s steady post-COVID recovery while looking ahead at new ideas, technologies and trends propelling business forward.
Both a year in review and a compendium of resources and ideas, here are TSNN’s 10 most popular articles of 2023:
Trade… more
Jan 08, 2024
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a coalition of professional, industry and labor associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, has unveiled its public policy agenda for 2024.
ECA’s alliance partners and board of directors have identified five key areas of focus for the year ahead, including:
Ensuring a favorable industry operating environment
Growing seamless international travel and commerce
Creating a welcoming environment for the industry in states and cities nationwide
Championing industry-led decarbonization efforts
Developing… 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