News

Jan 23, 2017
Want to take your trade show and turn it into a compelling, not-to-miss industry event? Try strapping a few live action cameras to some of your attendees, let them loose on the showfloor, live stream their experiences on Facebook and voila – you’ve not only given your at-home audience a glimpse of what they’re missing, you’ve also turned your event into a cutting-edge attendee marketing machine! One Atlanta-based trade show did exactly that, and with overwhelmingly positive results. As a biennial trade show and conference for the woodworking, design, and material processing industry, the… more
Jan 21, 2017
HIP Network won the Professional Convention Management Association’s first-ever “Shark Tank”-style event technology pitch competition in Austin, Texas. The competition was held during PCMA's Convening Leaders annual meeting Jan. 8-11.  First-place honors were given for its newly launched ShowScore™ Business Intelligence Platform and Reporting Standard. In winning, HIP Network beat out content management apps, event check-in tech and social customizations. HIP Network’s Founder and CEO Dan Sherman demonstrated the technology to a veteran group of industry… more
Jan 20, 2017
As part of TSNN’s Research Series, we currently are collecting survey responses from show organizers for the Event Technology Trends & Future Outlook study. The link is HERE and everyone who completes the survey will receive an executive summary of the report, as well as a 20-percent discount on the full 30-40 page report on the latest event technology trends. Events and technology have a unique and powerful relationship. Yet the pace of technological change is unprecedented and accelerating, and even staying on top of trends is a challenge. To help event management analyze these… more
Jan 19, 2017
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition had a busy 2016 advocating to prove the value of the meetings industry, and 2017 looks to be even busier, as MMB continues to push existing initiatives forward and launch new ones. “Meetings Mean Business continues to grow as a coalition, attracting new supporters and elevating the industry,” said Richard Harper, MMB co-chair and HelmsBriscoe executive vice president. He added, “In 2017, we are excited to build on this momentum and expand our reach through the newly launched Meeting Planner Taskforce aimed at engaging this important audience, a global… more
Jan 19, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson It was retail as far as the eye could see inside Jan. 15-17 the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The National Retail Federation (NRF) opened its doors to 35,000 industry members for the 2017 Retail BIG Show. This year, well-known figures in fashion and retail, including ABC “Shark Tank’s” Daymond John, NBA Basketball Player Kobe Bryant and Astronaut Captain Scott Kelly. The show caters its content to large brands, as well as small businesses and covers all areas of retail needs from operations to technology to marketing.  Last year, NRF launched an… more
Jan 19, 2017
The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has launched Meet L.A., a free mobile destination app for meeting and trade show professionals interested in bringing their events to the City of Angels. Following the launch of L.A. Tourism’s immersive “Virtual Discovery L.A.” last October at IMEX America in Las Vegas, the new Meet L.A. app allows users to quickly and easily view the virtual travel platform, browse through L.A.’s diverse regions and neighborhoods, and contact L.A. Tourism sales staff with any questions or booking requests. Developed in partnership with… more
Jan 18, 2017
Three years after Nashville’s Music City Center was built, the local Convention Center Authority just approved to expand the venue. The center now has a $19.9 million construction budget to build a new food and beverage outlet and expand the Exhibit Hall and Davidson Ballroom concourse space. “We are thrilled that the Authority agrees we should continue to invest in and enhance the Music City Center,” said Charles Starks, president and CEO of the Music City Center. He added, “As we have listened to our meeting planners’ feedback over the last three years, we’ve identified these as areas we… more
Jan 17, 2017
HANNOVER MESSE USA, the newly branded North American industrial technology trade shows collocated at IMTS 2018, will feature 130,000 square feet of exhibition space and special display areas. This marks a 44 percent increase, compared with the collocated shows’ total floor space at IMTS 2016. For the first time since the collocated shows launched at IMTS 2012, the exhibition space and three special display areas will be located on two floors of the East Building at McCormick Place. HANNOVER MESSE USA is organized and managed by Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA), the U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche… more
Jan 17, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry has decided to expand its events accreditation scheme. Beginning this year, quality exhibitions and events that focus on national audiences also will be able to apply for, and receive, UFI’s unique recognition – “UFI Approved Event” - opening up the industry’s gold standard to audited national quality shows. Until recently, UFI approval was reserved for exhibitions that meet the highest global standards, provide officially audited statistics and serve an international market. Under the new system, organizers can apply for either UFI… more
Jan 17, 2017
A group of veteran industry professionals has launched a consultancy company – the Event Advisory Group – designed to help associations, trade show organizers, publishers and corporations improve the financial, brand and operational performance of their events. Formed in early 2016 and officially launched six weeks ago, EAG features an executive team of five seasoned event professionals, who boast 120 collective years of event management, marketing and operational experience and a comprehensive knowledge of producing and launching events ranging from large global trade shows to small… 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