Nov 24, 2021
The co-chairs of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC), an industry-wide coalition created to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities, recently provided an update about next year’s Global Meetings Industry Day. Set for April 7, 2022, GMID is the meeting and event industry’s annual day of advocacy that shines a light on the positive impact that conferences, conventions and trade shows have on people, businesses and the economy.
“For the seventh consecutive… more
Nov 23, 2021
The Golden State’s official marketing organization was popping plenty of Mumm Napa cuvee at IMEX America 2021 in Las Vegas earlier in November, as it officially unveiled a $4.5 million initiative to invest and market in the professional meetings and events space for the first time in its history.
“We're here today to celebrate that California has reopened and is ready for business, and we really feel like 2022 is going to be a monumental year for the state, said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, before revealing the state’s new “Meet What’s Possible” campaign, which… more
Nov 23, 2021
As the trade show industry continues its return to in-person and exhibiting companies look forward to re-emerging at live events next year, some organizations may be taking a hard look at their exhibit properties and how they can make sure that all visitors remain safe and socially distanced. To understand how companies can design eye-catching exhibits that also adhere to the latest health and safety guidelines, TSNN consulted with the experts—in this case, Adam Deming, creative director of exhibit design at Skyline, to find out what exhibitors should be keeping in mind as they prepare to… more
Nov 19, 2021
In another move aimed at boosting the industry’s recovery through the full return of in-person professional meetings and events, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and the U.S. Travel Association announced the full integration of the coalition under the U.S. Travel umbrella.
With the assimilation, MMBC will strengthen its critical mission of uniting the meetings and events industry with one strong and powerful voice. The coalition will benefit more directly from U.S. Travel’s robust public affairs resources and advocacy network while providing greater value to coalition members as… more
Nov 17, 2021
Organizing a safe, productive and memorable event for thousands of attendees in a new pandemic world is one thing—doing it for your industry and proving it was a testament to its resiliency and ability to successfully recover is another.
The energy and excitement were palpable at IMEX America 2021, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Nov. 9-11, as attendees disembarked from shuttle buses and eagerly proceeded into the event. They happily showed proof of COVID-19 vaccination on their smart phones before heading onto the show floor to reunite with industry colleagues,… more
Nov 15, 2021
Connect teamed with World Meetings Forum (WFM), one of the most important events linking qualified hosted buyers with suppliers for the MICE industry, as part of its ongoing mission to present event planners with a diverse group of impressive destinations.
WFM has nearly 10 years of presence in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean and was the first event in the region to return face-to-face in 2020 in Los Cabos.
Rafael Hernandez, chair of the WFM, will act as a liaison to Latin American, Central American and Spanish-speaking Caribbean DMCs to attend future Connect events.
“We are… more
Nov 12, 2021
New business agreements and acquisitions are starting to pick up speed this fall as the trade show and events industry continues its gradual comeback. Take a look!
Association Services Group Transfers Ownership
LaGrange, Ga.-based association management company Association Services Group (ASG) recently transitioned ownership from Owner and President Charles Hall to existing management partners and veteran association management professionals, Caitlin Hyatt, Samantha Kilgore and Katie Oxford.
Oxford, who began her career in association management in 2013 and most recently served as ASG’s… more
Nov 11, 2021
In-person trade shows are continuing to make a comeback, filling a face-to-face business and knowledge gap for the industries they serve that digital-only events just can’t duplicate. Here are two major events that pulled off safe and successful iterations recently.
GSX
Presented by ASIS International, the world’s largest association for security management professionals, Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2021 trade show and conference for the global security community exceeded its attendance projections while creating an estimated $18.5 million in economic impact for its host city.
Held… more
Nov 10, 2021
Now that meetings and conventions are trickling back to an in-person format again, the question of what event food and beverage is going to look like for the foreseeable future is likely occupying the mind of many a pandemic-weary event planner these days. To find out how the last 20 months have influenced the kinds of menus events are opting to serve or forgo, we turned to the experts—in this case, 20-year culinary veteran Jen Bargisen, senior executive chef with Sodexo Live!—to find out which F&B trends are hot and which are not in this ever-evolving health and safety landscape.
What… more
Nov 08, 2021
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, unveiled plans to hold the 90th UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas, Nov. 1 – 4, 2023. It will be the first time the largest annual gathering of exhibition leaders will take place in the U.S.
The 2023 UFI Global Congress will take place at Aria Resort and Casino and will be hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), exposing Las Vegas to key decision makers in the global exhibition industry and poising the destination for future convention business.
Kai Hattendorf, CEO and managing director of UFI, underscored the… 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