Dec 28, 2016
It’s not often that a business idea is sparked by a trip to the dentist, but that’s what happened to Julian Sandler. The dentist asked if he knew of anyplace where he could rent a computer.
Sandler, a nuclear physicist turned serial entrepreneur, thought there had to be other businesses and organizations needing short-term computer rentals, which led him to found Rent-a-PC in 1984 with two employees. The company was based (and still is) in Hauppauge, New York, so early clients were primarily corporate accounts on the East Coast, renting brand-name PCs and peripherals.
From the late… more
Dec 28, 2016
For the past 12-plus years, Steve Moster has moved up the ranks of Global Experience Specialists (GES). Serving currently as president and CEO of Viad since 2014 and as president of GES since 2010, Moster joined Viad in 2004 as vice president of Exhibition Furnishings.
His career evolved to sales and leadership roles with the company, including executive vice president — chief sales & marketing officer and as executive vice president — Products and Services, where he led double-digit revenue growth.
Moster received his bachelor of engineering degree from Vanderbilt University and his… more
Dec 27, 2016
The TEAMS ’18 Conference & Expo will be held Oct. 1–4, 2018, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, which will reopen in 2018 following a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation project.
“We are pleased to be the first travel industry show that will be held at the newly expanded Kentucky International Convention Center,” said Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing Company, which publishes SportsTravel magazine and organizes the TEAMS Conference.
He added, “We have had a longstanding relationship with Louisville, which proved to be an… more
Dec 27, 2016
Hannover Fairs Canada (HF Canada), Deutsche Messe’s Canadian subsidiary, today has formed a partnership with SME to collocate Industrial Automation, Motion, Drive & Automation, ComVac, parts2clean, and CeMAT trade shows with the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS).
“We were looking to secure a home for these five industrial events in Canada alongside a larger, well-established manufacturing technology trade show,” said President and CEO of HF Canada Larry Turner.
He added, “The opportunity to showcase these five advanced manufacturing technology shows and their industrial… more
Dec 22, 2016
Marketplace Events continued to expand its fast-growing home shows portfolio with the purchase of six more events from Southern Shows
All events in this transaction are located in North Carolina: two home shows in Raleigh, two in Charlotte and one in Greensboro, along with the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte.
Southern Shows will continue to own and produce their 11-show Women’s Show Series and the Southern Farm Show. In a transition agreement, Southern Shows will continue to manage through completion the three home shows that take place in the first quarter of 2017 on… more
Dec 22, 2016
Tarsus Group has made another acquisition this month and its second recent acquisition in China, with a 65-percent stake of Foshan Huaxia Home Textile Development Co., Ltd. ("Foshan Huaxia") from the Guangdong Home Textile Association and Association Member shareholders.
Foshan Huaxia owns the Home Furnishing Expo (Hometex), the leading biannual home textiles exhibition in China.
The acquisition of 65 percent of Foshun Huaxia was made for an estimated cash consideration of RMB174m (approximately £19.3m and $23.8 million).
"Following the recent acquisition of Intex in Shanghai, we… more
Dec 20, 2016
The Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority (GIMTCA), which governs the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (SITCC), has selected Songy Highroads, LLC., in partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, to develop a convention headquarters hotel.
It will be located on Hutchison Island adjacent to the riverfront convention center, which is managed by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA).
The next step of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the GIMTCA board at its Dec. 14 meeting, is to work through development agreements, said Sherrie… more
Dec 19, 2016
History was made today when Hainan Airlines’ first flight from Beijing to Las Vegas touched down at McCarrran International Airport filled with excited Chinese travelers, media and company officials. A traditional water arches salute greeted the aircraft as it taxied to the gate.
"We have just made history," said Hou Wei, senior vice president of Hainan Airlines, "flying the first commercial aircraft from Mainland China to Nevada, finally linking the capital of the People's Republic of China with the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas!"
With China considered to be one of the… more
Dec 19, 2016
The 22nd edition of the China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS 2017) will make its debut at its new location, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, April 26-29, which promises to be its biggest exhibition yet.
The longest-running and most comprehensive boating event in China, CIBS has firmly established itself as the leading platform for the regional leisure maritime industry with over 40,000 marine industry leaders and enthusiasts from over 50 countries set to attend the event.
The new venue will provide easy access for the increasing number… more
Dec 19, 2016
Based on its successful 2016 edition, Shanghai Hospitality Design & Engineering Expo (HDE) 2017, hosted by UBM Sinoexpo, will expand to over 45,000 sqm of exhibiting space and 90,000 visitors together with the concurrent Hotel Plus Mockup Room Show (Hotel Plus).
With four months to go, the preparation work for HDE 2017 is in full swing and the organizers will continue to work closely with all partners concerned to make the April show perfect.
A trendy hospitality design event, Hotel Plus attracts more hotel groups and designers to join HDE.… 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