#ExhibitionsDay Hosts Record 125 Attendees, 100 Meetings on Capitol Hill
June 12, 2018
This year’s #ExhibitionsDay, held June 5-6 in Washington, D.C., drew a record-breaking 125 trade show professionals to Capitol Hill to meet with congressional representatives in more than 100 meetings.
“2018 marked a record year for Exhibitions Day in Washington, D.C. with 125 attendees and 100 meetings on the Hill. The four areas of focus during all of our conversations with Congressional members and staff were Hotel Anti-Scam Legislation, Safety and Security, Global Travel Facilitation and Airport Infrastructure Enhancements,” said IAEE president and CEO, David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.
He added, “The U.S. exhibitions industry is strong with $91 billion being contributed to the national GDP in 2017. Advocating for our industry and meeting with federal lawmakers affects positive change and increases awareness of our importance in the global marketplace.”
Attendees came from all over the United States to meet with their local reps to talk about the pressing issues in the trade show industry.
The event kicked off June 5 with an opening reception before everyone hit Capitol Hill the next day.
HERE is video coverage from CNTV on the event.
Here are a few quotes from participants:
“I loved attending #ExhibitionsDay! Walking around the different buildings on Capitol Hill really made me feel like I was part of the Democratic process.” - Amy Durkin, CEM, CMP, director of events, National Catholic Educational Association
“Las Vegas is a top travel destination and exhibitions and events are key to driving visitation. Exhibitions Day provides a great opportunity to interact with valued partners and decision makers to highlight the importance of our industry and what it contributes to the overall economy.” - Alex Land, CEM, sales executive, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
“The opportunity to share the message with congressional leaders that our industry represents $91 million is powerful. The fact that over 100 industry professionals are aligned and spreading the importance of our issues on one day is rewarding.” - Angi Van Berg, CEM, vice president of Trade Show Sales, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Besides the advocacy in D.C., there were events held all over the U.S. including at IAEE chapters in Northern California, New York and the Midwest to name a few.
In addition, there were a bevy of tweets under the #ExhibitionsDay hashtag from destinations like Columbus and Las Vegas, as well as companies such as T3 Expo and a2z, Inc.
Want to share your story on why face to face works on the Exhibitions Mean Business web site? Go HERE
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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