2018 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Breaks Attendance Records in Chicago

A grand total of 6,092 association professionals and industry partners converged Aug. 18-21 in Chicago for the 2018 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, the highest attendance the annual industry event has attracted. 

“This is our largest meeting ever!,” ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV told a packed room of journalists earlier this week.

He added, “Probably the only place we could have a larger meeting was to have it in D.C, but that hasn’t happened in 25 years.”

Understanding the Technology Needs of Your Exhibitors and Attendees

Submitted by lpsavas@tsnn.com on Thu, 08/23/2018 - 11:38

Every event planner knows technology must be integrated into their events to sustain growth and meet the demands of an increasingly tech-savvy audience. Yet the specific needs of your attendees and exhibitors are often harder to identify amongst the countless options available.

Bizzabo Launches New Agenda Module to Enhance Event Engagement

Event success cloud solution, Bizzabo, has launched a next-generation agenda feature for conferences and events designed to help event organizers create attendee-facing agenda experiences that boost audience engagement, increase discoverability of sessions and speakers, and provide actionable insights for marketers to maximize event success.

Transformation is a Must, not a Maybe - Outtakes from 2018 TSNN Awards

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 10:12

The theme of last weekend’s TSNN Awards was transformation, which is a common thread that links all shows together right now. The need to reimagine the trade show experience is not a new concept. But what I think is a new way to think about it, is the way the content itself is presented.

The long-in-the-tooth formula of filling up convention centers with exhibitors, sprinkled with education offerings of regurgitated industry buzz – is simply no longer sustainable.

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