Jun 28, 2018
The Expo Group, an exhibitions and events partner that invests in growth, has unveiled The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards for 2018. Honorees were nominated by their peers, voted upon by an independent industry judging panel and will be celebrated on Aug. 11 at the 2018 TSNN Awards in Louisville, Ky. “These are top-notch professionals advancing the objectives of not just their organizations but also their trade show community’s attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners,” says President and COO of The Expo Group Randy Pekowski. He added, “The stories told in these… more
Jun 28, 2018
Health and wellness is a $4 trillion industry and growing. The “healthy eating and nutrition” and “fitness and mind-body” segments alone accounted for $1.19 trillion in 2015, with “workplace wellness” adding another $43 billion, which is why it’s no surprise that events are including the latest health and wellness trends in their planning. According to the IRF Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel Study by Incentive Research Foundation in 2017, the top five health and wellness inclusions (many of which are budget-friendly) are:  Smoke-free property Free access to fitness facility… more
Jun 27, 2018
LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) set a new record at its 29thannual edition, held May 6-10 at McCormick Place in Chicago, with increased registration and a larger expo footprint compared to the year before. Known as the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, the event registered 28,075 attendees from 85 countries and boasted 600 exhibitors – including 66 first-time exhibiting companies and 136 manufacturers from outside the U.S. – spanning 285,600 net square feet of exhibition space. Held annually in rotation between Chicago, Philadelphia and… more
Jun 27, 2018
Just like the city of Louisville, Ky., is undergoing a massive transformation with new and renovated hotels, an expanded and spiffed up Kentucky International Convention Center and a bevy of new distilleries, restaurants and other entertainment attractions, the 2018 TSNN Awards, on tap Aug. 10-12, is mirroring the transformation theme in all facets of its event. “This year’s awards program in Louisville is packed with exciting events around the city,” said Tarsus Media and TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. She added, “The theme of transformation will be omnipresent in all activities, but… more
Jun 26, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the third installment of its 2018How to Grow Attendance report series.  The four-part research report series is based on phone interviews and in-depth surveys conducted with executives responsible for final decision-making for attendee marketing for North American business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions.  Titled “Messaging that Resonates and Delivers,” the report identifies the three primary ingredients of marketing messaging that help drive attendee growth as well as the most effective elements that all B2B event marketers… more
Jun 21, 2018
PSAV, a global leader in event experiences, entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity and real estate funds affiliated with Blackstone from affiliates of Goldman Sachs and Olympus Partners. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We are very excited to partner with Blackstone, one of the world’s preeminent investors in the hotel, tradeshow, travel and leisure, and business services sectors, to support the next phase of PSAV’s growth,” said Mike McIlwain, president and CEO of PSAV. He added, “Blackstone is an ideal partner who is highly supportive of our… more
Jun 21, 2018
The Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has joined forces with Emerald Expositions (EEX) in a partnership intended to strengthen the presentation of Italian jewelry manufacturers in the U.S. market at EEX events, including COUTURE and the soon-to-be-launched PREMIER. Both events are set to place during Jewelry Market Week, which runs late May through early June in Las Vegas. The agreement is part of IEG’s long-term strategy to broaden its foothold in the U.S., which represents more than 43 percent of the world’s total trade show market.  “For the Italian Exhibition Group, this new partnership… more
Jun 21, 2018
Oklahoma City is gearing up to welcome a brand new convention center. On June 15, officials from the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (OKC CVB), local civic leaders and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the $288 million Oklahoma City Convention Center, which will open debt-free in 2020. “This is a great day for Oklahoma City,” said Mike Carrier, OKC CVB president. “This totally new convention center marks a significant milestone in OKC’s commitment to the meetings and convention industry.” Designed by the architecture and design firms of Populous… more
Jun 20, 2018
It’s been a busy year so far for Marketplace Events, which been actively acquiring even more home and garden shows to add to its already extensive consumer event portfolio, including its most recent purchase of the Minnesota Home & Patio Show from Cenaiko Productions. The four-day show, which celebrates its 40thanniversary in 2019, runs annually in February at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minn.   Marketplace Events already operates four other shows in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market including two holiday shows and two other home shows. “Of the 32 markets in which we operate… more
Jun 19, 2018
The 2019 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) appears to already be breaking its own showfloor records eight months prior to the event.  The annual feed, meat, egg and poultry trade show, which is scheduled for Feb. 12-14 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, has already surpassed 560,000 square feet of exhibit space while securing more than 1,100 exhibitors booking up 92 percent of the expo floor. The 2018 edition of IPPE attracted 30,678 attendees and 1,218 exhibitors spanning more than 521,000 square feet of expo space.  “We are pleased that our decision to… 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