Cygnus Sells Seven Trade Shows to SouthComm Business Media

Cygnus Business Media sold off a significant portion of its trade show portfolio, along with 11 publications and seven related Web sites, to SouthComm Business Media.

The trade show portion of the sale consisted of seven events that included Firehouse Expo; Firehouse World Expo; EMS World Expo; EMS Redline; EMS on the Hill; Officer World; and Secured Cities.

Viad’s 3Q Revenues Increase 36 Percent; GES’ U.S. Revenues Up 39 Percent

The third quarter was a good one in more ways than one for Phoenix-based Viad, as well as its divisions, including Global Experience Specialists in the U.S. and overseas.

Overall 3Q revenues for Viad were up 36.2 percent to nearly $300 million, compared with the same quarter in 2013, with GES in the U.S. scoring a 39.5 percent revenue increase to $168 million, and overseas the company pulled in a whopping 59 percent uptick to $64 million, compared with the same quarters in 2013.

How to Follow Up Sales Leads Without Hard Selling

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Sun, 11/02/2014 - 12:43

Following up on sales leads from your trade show marketing can be tough.

While you want to initiate action and get the sales process moving forward, coming off as too pushy can backfire and cause your lead to back out altogether.

Much has been written about closing the deal, but there’s surprisingly little detailed information out there on taking your leads from cool or simply lukewarm to the end of the sales process.

Marketplace Events Continues to Expand with Buy of Casa Latina Home Expo

Marketplace Events already has bought several events this year to add to their portfolio, and now they have scooped another one for the rapidly expanding Hispanic market – Casa Latina Home Expo.

Scheduled for Nov. 15 in New York City, Casa Latina Home Expo is also on tap to launch into two more markets next year; May 29-31 at the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), and Orlando, which will run Sept. 18-20 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee. 

NBAA’s 2014 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition Pulls in Numbers on Par with 2013 Event

The National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2014 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, which took place Oct. 21-23 in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center, held steady this year, with the number of attendees, exhibitors and size of showfloor on par with last year’s event.

“This year’s show was an enormous success, filled with announcements and product introductions,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

UFI Congress Brings More than 300 Attendees to Bogota, Colombia

More than 300 attendees from 46 nations gathered Oct. 29-Nov 1 in Bogota, Colombia, for UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry’s 81st Congress

The event has not been in Latin America since 1975 and will bring together leaders and strategic thinkers for a three-day review of the state of the exhibition industry.

UFI’s Congress was hosted by regional industry association (AFIDA) and Corferias, Colombia’s leading exhibition business.

Driving Return on Investment to Exhibitors and Sponsors

By Alexa Newman and Benjamin Rabe

Exhibitor X has been a staple in your trade show – and your show’s budget – for years. But Steve, the new marketing manager, is questioning his company’s sponsorship next year. “We’re not seeing enough return on investment,” Steve writes in his evaluation.

That’s worse-case scenario. Hopefully, you’re already addressing Steve’s concerns before it goes to an eval form.

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