Mar 28, 2018
Robots sparring with light sabers, t-shirts printed on the spot for a good cause, genetic testing companies and lots and lots of AR and VR were just a few of the highlights at the South by Southwest (SXSW) main trade show that ran March 11-14 at the Austin (Texas) Convention Center. This trade show actually was just one of many that ran during the two-week SXSW main event that drew together 70,000+ attendees in the interactive, film and music industries for parties, brand activations, sessions and keynotes. TSNN touched base with Brittani Mathis, senior exhibitions manager, before SXSW… more
Mar 28, 2018
Michael Fetter has been hired as the director of marketing in the Marketing Communications department for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Before coming to the bureau, Fetter was a media buyer for Bandy Carroll Hellige (BCH), as well as a marketing manager for Phoenix Process Equipment Company where he oversaw all strategic marketing and communications plans. Fetter returned to BCH in 2016 as an account manager, with the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau among his clients. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in… more
Mar 27, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the first study in its newest research report series for event attendee marketers, “How to Grow Attendance.” Focused on planning and goal setting to help position an attendee marketing campaign for success, Report One: Planning and Goal Setting that Positions Efforts for Success provides benchmarks for all phases of a marketing campaign, documents the most popular attendee marketing approaches used by show organizers and pinpoints characteristics where attendee growth is achieved. According to Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR, the “… more
Mar 23, 2018
Cincinnati Magazine has purchased Cincinnati Baby & Beyond Expo from Hart Productions. Set for Sept. 15-16 at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the annual consumer show for moms, moms-to-be, parents and extended family attracts more than 10,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibiting companies featuring the latest in baby gear, clothing and accessories, along with onsite child and health care experts and interactive activities to keep kids entertained. According to Ivy Bayer, publisher of Cincinnati Magazine, which has produced the expo’s program since its inception… more
Mar 21, 2018
The Expo Group, an exhibitions and events partner that invests in growth, is now accepting nominations from across the industry for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards. The awards program annually recognizes great leaders in events and trade shows. “Honorees of the SMOTY Awards wow everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said President and COO of The Expo Group Randy Pekowski. He added, “This awards program is a way for us all to recognize people who don’t always receive accolades in the press or within our industry associations. By presenting these… more
Mar 21, 2018
Reflecting the dynamic growth of the manufacturing industry in Latin America, EXPO MANUFACTURA, the annual trade show and conference for the manufacturing and processing industry in Mexico, recently pulled off its largest show to date at CINTERMEX in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Held Feb.6-8 under the theme “Manufacturing 4.0: Maximum Productivity and Competitiveness,” the 22nd edition of the three-day trade show and conference boasted a five percent increase in attendance with more than 12,944 industry professionals and 336 exhibiting companies showcasing 600 brands and technology… more
Mar 20, 2018
Fairmont Austin, the brand’s second largest property worldwide, opened its doors on Mar. 5 – just in time for the 2018 South by Southwest conference and festival. The long-anticipated property, initially scheduled to open in June of last year, supersedes the J.W. Marriott Austin as the largest hotel in Central Texas. It is also now the largest Fairmont hotel in the U.S. With 1,045 guest rooms, nearly 140,000 square feet of meeting space and direct access to the Austin Convention Center via an elevated walkway branded as “Red River Canopy Walk,” the hotel will appeal to many organizations… more
Mar 19, 2018
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2017 TSNN Top Trade Shows list in the United States. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage. The full, searchable list, sponsored exclusively by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center, can be found HERE. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 show snagged the No. 1 spot and spanned more than 2.67 million net square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In… more
Mar 15, 2018
While satisfying the needs of clients can provide a company with a genuine sense of accomplishment and purpose, there’s nothing like the heartfelt satisfaction that comes from helping to further an important cause – in this case, honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War. Exhibit design, fabrication and trade show management provider, Creatacor, had a chance to experience just that when it teamed up with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) to create a new mobile replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “The Wall That Heals… more
Mar 14, 2018
South By Southwest (#SXSW) with its thousands of attendees in the interactive, tech, film and music industries is THE place for brands to roll out the red carpet and show off their latest launches. This year’s event, held annually in Austin, Texas, did not disappoint, with several companies spending some serious cash to ensure they left an impression. The ones that hit it out of the park took the time to figure out an actual ‘experience’ that attendees would have, something that trade show and event organizers, as well as exhibitors, could take a page from. Here are the brand activations… 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