Mar 30, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
‘Branding’ is perhaps the most commonly used, but most commonly misunderstood, word in business. Reactions to brands, such as Coca-Cola or Apple, are immediate. An organization or product with a strong brand may compel people to instantly think of its logo, or tagline or jingle. A brand, by definition is all of those things and more - it’s everything we think about a particular organization or product.
A strong event brand offers its audiences a promise on the value it will deliver. And then, it uses communications tools to deliver the message of that promise. A… more
Mar 28, 2016
While the convention and meetings industry is able to breathe a sigh of relief today in Georgia, headaches abound in North Carolina, after both states recently dealt with legislation that was deemed discriminatory to the gay community by many.
Less than two weeks after the Georgia assembly voted through House Bill 757 – the Free Exercise Protection Act, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the bill.
The bill would have allowed churches to refuse to perform gay marriages and not hire people they felt conflicted with their religious beliefs, which prompted big-name companies, such as… more
Mar 24, 2016
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list had a record number of submissions this year and represents the top 250 trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage.
The full, searchable list, sponsored this year exclusively by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center, can be found HERE.
The Consumer Technology Association’s CES 2015 show snagged the No. 1 spot and spanned more than 2.2 million net square feet at the… more
Mar 22, 2016
UBM Game Network's 2016 Game Developers Conference, an event serving professionals dedicated to the art and science of making games, has set a record for event attendance, with more than 27,000 game industry professionals at last week's conference in San Francisco's Moscone Center.
This year, UBM Game Network also debuted the 2016 Virtual Reality Developers Conference, an event focused on the creation of new video games, entertainment and technology around virtual and augmented reality, which was held alongside GDC.
GDC 2016 marked the 30th edition of the event, and to… more
Mar 22, 2016
Global Sources released its financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015. Revenues from continuing operations in 2015 were US$171.0 million, down 4.6 percent, compared with the US$179.3 million recorded in 2014.
Adjusted EBITDA fell to US$30.5 million from US$37.3 million in 2014. Net profits slipped to US$18.8 million in 2015 – down from US$22.5 million in the previous year. IFRS net profit, however, jumped 63 percent year-on-year to US$29.9 million from US$18.3 million in 2014.
More than half of the revenues were generated from the company’s exhibitions business – amounting to US$92… more
Mar 22, 2016
The Consumer Technology Association, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), has revealed Kirk Skaugen, senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group for Intel Corporation, as the speaker who will deliver a keynote address at the upcoming CES Asia™ 2016.
Owned and produced by CTA, and co-produced by Intex Shanghai, CES Asia 2016 will run May 11-13 in Shanghai, China at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC).
Skaugen's keynote will take place on May 11 at the Kerry Hotel, Shanghai Ballrooms 2-3. He will detail the… more
Mar 22, 2016
After a trio of terrorist bombings rocked the Belgian capital, two at Brussels’ airport and another at a metro station, the city’s main exhibition venue – Brussels Expo – announced several shows scheduled in the building were canceled.
A note on the venue’s Web site stated: “Due to the exceptional circumstances in Brussels, the PRS Europe Show of today and tomorrow is canceled. The Autotechnica show will not open this Tuesday and Thursday. INFOSECURITY and FOROM FOR THE FUTURE also are canceled. Thank you for your understanding.
The Autotechnica show, organized by i-ONE and Traxio, was about… more
Mar 22, 2016
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) recently became the first facility in Malaysia to install the 6500 ANSI Lumens laser technology projector as part of her RM3.1 million investment to upgrade the audio-visual (AV) capabilities in the venue’s 21 meeting rooms.
According to the Centre’s General Manager, Alan Pryor, the Centre is currently regarded as the most technologically-advanced facility in Malaysia, and the investment “reflects our commitment to continuously upgrade and improve the quality of service delivery for the Centre’s delegates and visitors.”
He added, “As technology… more
Mar 21, 2016
The Electronic Software Association’s E3 Expo won’t have some key gaming companies on the showfloor – such as EA and Activision – when the show opens its doors in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The game publishers, instead, are opting for smaller, public-focused events.
Other companies, including Wargaming and Disney Interactive, also have decided to skip booths at the show this year, prompting rumors that maybe the show would change its rules and allow the public to attend.
Not so fast, according to Dan Hewitt, ESA’s vice president of Media Relations and Event Management.
“The… more
Mar 18, 2016
One hundred and eighty-seven years hardly is a nice round number, so the Pennsylvania Flower Show (founded in 1829) is sharing the stage with the relative youngster National Park Service, celebrating its sweet 100.
“The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is honored that the Philadelphia Flower Show has been chosen by the National Park Service as a centennial event marking this amazing milestone,” said Sam Lemheney, PHS Chief of Shows & Events.
The centennial celebrations formed this year's theme "Explore America" at the show, which ran March 5-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and… 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