Rutuja Jathar

Rutuja Jathar is a writer and editor who currently leads a team of technical writers at Grand View Research, where her passion for words and technology reflects in her contribution to developing and editing research information. She has also written numerous industry blogs and news features as a guest author.

Sam Cockayne

After 10 years working as an award-winning copywriter at London advertising agency TBWA, Sam Cockayne relocated to New York City to develop a freelance writing career. On returning to the U.K., she switched from TV, radio and poster creation to digital content writing – via a stint writing on-air content for the BBC and Sky – and is currently working as a features editor in one of Sheffield’s top agencies.

Dave Beck

Dave Beck is a founder and Managing Partner at Foundry 45, an Atlanta-based company that helps brands train their teams and tell their stories through Virtual and Augmented Reality. Beck’s company has built over 100 experiences for notable clients such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, FedEx and US Bank. 

Alice Goldstein

Alice Goldstein is a technical product marketer EventLoop, a global event technology provider that provides tech solutions for associations, trade shows, companies and festivals. Her expertise includes digital technologies and algorithm-friendly marketing tools, social lead generation, crafting a story for brands and products, and reaching a targeted audience through blogging and live video.

ITE Announces Revenue Increases in Trading Update

London-based ITE Group plc published its trading update covering the period April 1-July 10. 

For the quarter ended June 30, revenues were approximately £58 million (US$77 million), representing a 13% increase on a like-for-like basis. Revenues for the nine months ended 30th June were roughly £134 million (US$177 million), a rise of 11% on a like-for-like basis. Net debt was about £53 million (US$70 million) as of 30th June.

Ben Hindman

Ben Hindman is co-founder and CEO of Splash, the fastest-growing end-to-end event marketing technology used by more than half of the Fortune 500. Prior to starting Splash, Ben was the Director of Events at Thrillist, where he produced large-scale events from concerts to mystery fly-aways. He is also a co-founder of the Summit Series, the renowned invite-only destination event for the greatest minds in tech.

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