Oct 17, 2018
Steady growth is the meetings and event industry’s “new normal” according to the American Express Meetings & Events (M&E)2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, released on Oct. 15 at IMEX America.
For the fourth consecutive year, the events industry has achieved consistent growth in both spend and attendees. In 2019, global meetings activity is expected to continue to grow, accompanied by small increases in budget allocation for meetings and events. This matches data from CWT Meetings & Events’ 2019 Meetings & Events Future Trends report, released earlier this month.
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Oct 16, 2018
Today is opening day for IMEX America 2018, the country’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. Held annually at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, IMEX America runs Oct. 16-18.
Smart Monday, the MPI-powered free educational day immediately prior to the main IMEX activities, broke attendance records yesterday, and keeping in line with the industry predictions for an event size increase, IMEX America’s showfloor will be its largest yet with more than 3,500 exhibitors representing 150 countries.
Twenty-eight percent of returning exhibitors opted for… more
Oct 12, 2018
Vision Expo West celebrated its 30thanniversary by achieving a nearly double-digit increase in attendance compared to the year before.
Held Sept. 26-29 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, the annual eyecare and eyewear conference and exhibition attracted 12,579 ophthalmic professionals from across the globe, a sizable increase compared to 2017, when 11,790 attended the event.
The show’s attendance increased in nearly every category, particularly in Opticians and Optometrists, as well as in Independent OD and MD practices, multidisciplinary practices, chains/superstores and laboratories,… more
Oct 11, 2018
The 16th edition of Tarsus Group’s biennial trade show, Labelexpo Americas, was the largest in its history.
A total of 487 exhibitors were spread across the biggest floorspace yet, at 203,642 square feet, with almost 30 percent of exhibitors new to this year’s show.
During the course of the three-day show, which took place Sept. 25-27 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, an increase in attendees to 16,413 from 86 countries passed through its doors.
The Latin America region was especially strongly represented, with a 95-percent increase on its 2016 show attendee total.… more
Oct 09, 2018
More than two million pets and other live animals are transported by air every year in the U.S. While the U.S. Department of Transportation offers guidelines, each airline establishes its own company policy for the proper handling of the animals they transport.
In April 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act. Many airlines responded to this law by implementing restrictions on accepting pets as cargo. United Airlines is currently the only domestic airline that will cargo-transport brachycephalic, aka flat-faced, short-nosed dogs such as bulldogs and pugs who are… more
Oct 04, 2018
TSNN is thrilled to announce that the 10th Annual 2019 TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence will head Nov. 15-17 to Dallas to celebrate the top U.S. fastest-growing trade shows in net square footage and attendance (www.T-awards.com)
Attendees will be hosted not only at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center for the TSNN Awards education conference, breakfast and lunch, but also the Omni Dallas Hotel for gala celebration and other activities.
“We are very excited to host the 2019 TSNN Awards in Dallas,” said Phillip J. Jones, president and CEO of VisitDallas.
He added, “… more
Oct 04, 2018
Some of the construction in downtown San Francisco will be ending soon, with a positive impact for event planners and attendees. The $551 million Moscone Center expansion project is due to be completed at the end of 2018.
Started in November 2014, the expansion adds more than 157,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to Moscone North and South, increasing the center’s total exhibit space to more than 504,000 sq. ft.
According to Tom David, executive vice president and chief sales officer for San Francisco Travel Association, the expansion was driven by the need to both keep and… more
Oct 03, 2018
Two large U.S. footwear trade show operators are teaming up to better meet the evolving needs of the industries they represent.
Spurred on by a clash of show dates in February of next year as well as the need for a consistent market calendar based on industry demand, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), the organization that leads FFANY Market Weeks in New York and its NY Shoe Expo trade shows, and Informa, organizer of FN PLATFORM, MAGIC, Coterie and PROJECT, are forming a collaborative industry partnership designed to address the footwear industry’s emerging and evolving… more
Oct 02, 2018
The National Restaurant Association and Winsight, an information services company in the foodservice industry that publishes “Restaurant Business”, have announced the formation of an equity partnership through which the National Restaurant Association will become an equity partner of Winsight, and Winsight will assume operational ownership and execution of the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.
The National Restaurant Association Show, the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the world, will continue to be branded under the name of the… more
Oct 02, 2018
Demand for meetings and events is on the rise. According to the recently released CWT Meetings & Events 2019 Meetings & Events Future Trends report, the meetings market will see an increase of five to 10 percent in 2019.
“The global meetings and events industry can look forward to a buoyant 2019,” said Kurt Ekert, president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). “On top of growing demand worldwide, we also expect global hotel rates to rise 3.7 percent, and flight prices 2.6 percent.”
In most regions, meeting attendance numbers are also projected to grow, with a 14 percent… 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