News

Jun 16, 2018
UBM Sinoexpo, a subsidiary of UBM plc, acquired 70 percent economic interest in the Shanghai International Franchise Exhibition ("SFE") organised by Shanghai Exhibition-Conference Ltd (SEC). Organised twice a year since 2005, SFE is one of the largest franchising events in China hosting 221 exhibitors with more than 450 brands and 50,261 visitors in the spring 2018 edition.   SFE's exhibitors are mainly in the food, beverage and retail sectors, which is reflective of the trends in the Chinese franchise market today.  Every year investors, potential franchisees, distributors, agents,… more
Jun 16, 2018
Hosted by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Asian Attractions Expo 2018 took place June 5-8, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong. Preliminary estimates indicate the Expo attracted more than 9,000 participants, including 6,500 qualified buyers and 393 exhibiting companies. Increases in participants, buyers, and exhibiting companies from 2017's event in Singapore reflect the strength and energy of the global attractions industry. The event featured a full trade show floor at 10,224 net square meters. The total number of… more
Jun 16, 2018
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) signed a cooperation agreement with Veronafiere S.p.A. to bring wineries from Italy to Hong Kong to exhibit at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair. Veronafiere, through its Vinitaly brand, has been in partnership with the HKTDC since 2009, primarily promoting Italian companies through its Vinitaly Pavilion at the Wine & Spirits Fair.  At the 2018 edition, the Vinitaly Pavilion will launch a new dedicated olive oil section that features a tasting bar as well as workshops. According to the HKTDC, the 2017 edition of the Wine… more
Jun 16, 2018
The 2018 edition of PCIM Asia has gained solid support from exhibitors and buyers within the power electronics industry. PCIM Asia is an international exhibition and conference for power electronics, intelligent motion technology, renewable energy and energy management. The fair, to be held June 26-28 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center, is jointly organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and the Shanghai Pudong International Exhibition Corp, with Mesago PCIM GmbH as a partner. This year, many exhibitors have opted to expand their booth size, resulting in a 12… more
Jun 15, 2018
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) has rolled out a new initiative to help event planners understand and minimize the environmental impact of their events: client sustainability reports. According to MCC officials, these customized reports will provide event planners with detailed analysis on energy and water usage, as well as how much material was recycled by each conference, meeting or trade show.  “Limiting our environmental impact is extremely important and our success is interconnected with the groups that hold their events with us,” said Mark Zirbel, director of facility and… more
Jun 15, 2018
The Palm Springs Convention Center has launched the Concept3Dinteractive 3D map and virtual tour platform, designed to bring the Southern California desert facility into the digital world while serving as a helpful and immersive resource for meeting and event planners.  “We’re proud to welcome the Palm Springs Convention Center to the Concept3D family and to see how this unique event space has come to life online,” said Chris Munz, vice president of business development for Concept3D, provider of immersive online experiences with 3D modeling, interactive maps and virtual reality-enabled… more
Jun 14, 2018
This week, we found out who will host the world’s largest and most passion-inducing event, For the Events Industry, it re-emphasizes a vital truth about our work, one we occasionally fail to put into practice.  The extravaganza in the spotlight is the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and its venues will be North American. Canada, Mexico, and the USA will provide a diverse setting for 48 national teams and over 100 stadium-filling matches. Now, you may not follow soccer or think much about sports in general, but “The United Bid”, as it is called, is a massive win for the three nation’s economies… more
Jun 14, 2018
Community Brands, provider of cloud-based software solutions for associations, nonprofits, schools and faith-based groups, has acquired global event technology and service company, Expo Logic. The addition of Expo Logic strengthens the Community Brands event management suite, which already includes event registration, mobile event fundraising and conference content video capture. “Meetings and events play an integral role in enhancing our customers’ organizational performance and our national economy,” explained Jean-Paul Guilbault, president and CEO of Community Brands.  He continued, “As… more
Jun 14, 2018
In this era of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, women across a wide range of industries are speaking up and pushing back against the patriarchal status quo, and the events industry is no exception.  But, in a field where women are chronically underrepresented in leadership positions, what’s it going to take to empower more female event professionals to reach their career goals free from the impediments of institutionalized sexism and gender inequality?  As a former political activist and organizer who has worked tirelessly to inspire progressive change, Emilie Aries is a passionate… more
Jun 13, 2018
Global B2B event organizer, UBM, has expanded its healthcare event portfolio with the acquisition of ExpoMed from LIVEMED in Mexico and Live Healthcare in Brazil from founders Dr. Vitor Assentuno and Dr. Raphael Gordilho. Through these new acquisitions, UBM continues to grow its portfolio of healthcare events and further expands its position as a leading organizer in the Latin America healthcare sector. “Healthcare is a strategic vertical for UBM Americas, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, where public and private healthcare spending and service markets are growing rapidly,” explained… 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