News

Jul 31, 2019
Global trade show and events organizer Reed Exhibitions has made two major leadership changes.  Effective January 1, Fernando Fischer, who is the current president of Reed Exhibitions Brazil, will be moving to the U.S. to take on the role of president of Reed Exhibitions US (RXUS). In his new role, Fischer will report to Herve Sedky, president of Reed Exhibitions Americas. Fernando has served as CEO of RX Brazil for the past three years, during which time he dramatically improved customer value, financial performance and employee engagement, according to Reed Exhibitions officials. During… more
Jul 30, 2019
Freeman has achieved the Level 2 APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meetings Standard Certification from the Events Industry Council. This certification pertains to the evaluation and selection of exhibits for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences for suppliers (general service contractor/venue). The APEX/ASTM Standard is awarded to companies that exceed industry standards when it comes to helping customers execute sustainable events. BPA iCompli Sustainability Assurance is the official certification provider, having worked with EIC to develop… more
Jul 30, 2019
The trade show industry lost one if its own July 20, Terence Donnelly, a long-time executive at Experient and a good friend to many. “Terence was full of positivity, always had a smile on his face, a kind word to everyone around him and a warm hug whenever you saw him,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “There are no words to describe this loss, and TSNN sends thoughts to his wife, two sons, family, friends and colleagues.” Terence was a passionate moderator for TSNN-supported #Expochat as well, leading vibrant discussions on hot-button topics in the trade show industry. Below is… more
Jul 30, 2019
Event technology software provider Ungerboeck has partnered with TIBCO Software to launch Ungerboeck Connect, a new online tool that allows Ungerboeck customers to build integrations with other software systems quickly and easily. With TIBCO Cloud Integration, users can bring all their data streams together and seamlessly connect the important applications they already use from a user-friendly integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS). “For most of our customers, Ungerboeck is the core CRM, event management, registration and financial system,” said Manish Chandak, president and CEO of… more
Jul 29, 2019
ILEA Live 2019 will bring together event professionals in Minneapolis, Aug. 8-10. The International Live Events Association’s annual educational conference is focused on business strategies, leadership, inspiration and trends. The goal for the conference is to provide a forum where attendees can strengthen their creative output, sharpen their business strategies and find inspiration along what ILEA officials refer to as “the event horizon.” For meeting and trade show professionals, that means taking the opportunity to learn how event planning and production works in other industries, and… more
Jul 26, 2019
Is your trade show amazing but under-appreciated? Is your event doing incredible things that you think the whole industry should know about? Go ahead and brag – TSNN wants to hear why your show is the BEST!   Simply answer the following questions... What challenge(s) did the show face? What was the “Best of Show” solution(s)? And what were the overall results and impact on the show?  What innovative practices, customer service and/or networking environments occurred to make it the best show ever? For example, what tightened the attendee/exhibitor relationship?  Describe how you created “… more
Jul 25, 2019
Emerald Expositions has hired three new members for its senior management team as part of an effort to reorganize the business into more aligned portfolios. This news comes about seven months following the announcement that Informa would buy UBM for $5.5 billion. Emerald is led by Sally Shankland, who assumed her new role as CEO on June 1, as TSNN previously reported. The new hires are expected to begin employment in August or early September. They include: Lori Silva, who was previously managing director for Informa’s Advanced Manufacturing Group, is now executive vice president of retail… more
Jul 25, 2019
Event groups searching for the right venue that can accommodate and welcome special-needs attendees need look no further than MGM Resorts International. The resort company, which maintains a culture and mission of inclusion, recently hosted the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention July 7 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The property team underwent extensive preparation and training to ensure the event’s 3,284 attendees had an unforgettable experience. As the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people, NFB had never taken its convention to Las… more
Jul 24, 2019
Imagine a potential attendee has landed on your homepage for the first time. They’re considering your show and possibly two others. They are immediately distracted by various pop-up ads, complicated hero sliders transitioning way too fast and an endless sea of content. Frustrated, the user gives your event one last chance by surveying the top navigation to check out registration pricing and speaker details — but sadly, these items are hidden beneath three layers of navigation and odd naming conventions. This is a snapshot of what users may experience when it comes to event websites. We’ve… more
Jul 23, 2019
Revenue growth has slowed in the first half of 2019, compared with the same time period in 2018, according to UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry in its latest edition of its flagship Global Barometer research. Even so, there still is an overall positive trend for the year in relation to revenue. “Exhibitions mirror markets – therefore a slowdown in global economic growth also affects the exhibition industry, as this latest edition of our UFI Global Barometer shows,” said Kai Hattendorf, UFI managing director/CEO. He added, “But the data also proves that exhibitions are… 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