Association Show News
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Apr 20, 2017
Nominations now are open for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Awards. Deadline to submit is June 21.
All event professionals in associations and corporate entities with authority for bringing attendees and exhibitors together are eligible.
Since 2000, the crystal SMOTY obelisk trophy has been presented to those behind-the-scenes pros creating amazing experiences within their exhibition and convention.
Each winner also is honored with a donation to their favorite charity and recognition industry-wide. Since 2000, over $80,000 has been donated to charity by The Expo Group in… more
Apr 18, 2017
The American Society of Association Executives unveiled the winners of the 2017 Gold Circle Awards competition, which denotes excellence, innovation, and achievement in association/nonprofit marketing, membership, and communications programs.
The Gold Circle Award for Overall Excellence will be announced during ASAE’s 2017 Marketing, Membership & Communications Conference (MMCC), May 2-3, in Washington, D.C.
The 2017 competition received 172 submissions. Over 80 judges from different associations, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations evaluated the submissions this year. The… more
Apr 18, 2017
PCMA’s Digital Experience Institute [DEI] recently released the publication of their The Power of Digital Events white paper.
“The emergence of live streaming and digital events has significantly shifted how participants engage with our organization,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO.
She added, “Our goal in transparently sharing PCMA’s six years of results is to assist those organizations, who desire to expand and enhance their engagement strategies, build a business case for digital events.”
This comprehensive white paper examines the power of digital events in 2017,… more
Apr 13, 2017
The trade show industry continues to be alive and well, with several suppliers inking new deals with to manage venues, oversee housing and take care of registration.
Aberdeen City Council has named SMG to manage the existing AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Scotland) ahead of a move to its newly built home near Aberdeen International Airport in 2019.
The partnership follows last year’s announcement that SMG was awarded preferred bidder status to manage, operate and program the new $416 million complex.
The new state-of-the art venue will include a 12,500 seat arena with a… more
Apr 13, 2017
Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hannover, Germany’s Deutsche Messe will combine two of HANNOVER MESSE portfolio trade shows, Industrial Automation and Motion, Drive & Automation, to form Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives (IAMD).
The new trade show will feature the full range of industrial automation, power transmission and fluid power solutions for the factory of the future.
“Industry 4.0 and the global manufacturing markets desire for digitally integrated products is the driving force behind this merger,” said Larry Turner, president and CEO of HFUSA.
He added, “… more
Apr 13, 2017
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center will be getting much-needed nearby hotel room inventory when a new Omni Hotel & Resorts-branded hotel opens in early 2021.
An agreement for the $550 million project was signed between the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts.
With a variety of innovative guest amenities, the hotel will be among the city’s largest, with 1,050-plus rooms and suites, as well as 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, which includes a 25,000 sq. ft. grand ballroom.
These are key features that meeting planners… more
Apr 10, 2017
With so much technology supporting events, much of it digital technology that runs on or is facilitated by the Internet (aka back door for hackers), event organizers would be remiss in not making sure that every technology they use is secure.
In this week’s #Expochat, moderator Michelle Bruno will tweetchat with Jon Johnson, cofounder and CTO of Core-Apps to find out how vulnerable the industry really is and what organizers and technology providers can do to safeguard company and personal information on event apps and platforms.
If you’ve got questions of your own or would like to contribute… more
Apr 06, 2017
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and leaders from across the meetings industry are joining together today for the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day (#GMID17), with more than 100 events in 90-plus locations spanning nearly 25 countries and six continents.
This international day of advocacy showcases the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.
Thousands of industry professionals are participating in today’s events, coupled with a robust social conversation to ensure… more
Apr 04, 2017
Northstar Travel Group acquired not only the TEAMS Conference + Expo and Meetings Quest conferences from Schneider Publishing, but also magazine titles SportsTravel and Association News.
Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing, joins Northstar Travel Group as founder and chairman of the company's new Sports Division.
The division will be a part of Northstar's Meetings Group, which includes Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meeting News, and Incentive, and the Group's integrated data, digital, and in-person event… more
Mar 31, 2017
A record 300-plus C-level executives, sponsors and guests spent a few sun-drenched days at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., for the 2017 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ CEO Summit.
“The SISO CEO Summit is the largest and more important event of the year for the for-profit side of the global exhibition/event industry and the most valuable part of the event are the participants, they make the event the success it is,” said SISO Executive Director David Audrain.
He added, “The majority of the program is an open dialogue and contribution from our members/participants, and it is… 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