Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation Raises Nearly $140,000 in a Matter of a Few Hours After E-mail Appeal

A few days ago, David DuBois, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events, sent out an e-mail giving several compelling reasons the industry should support the research done by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.

TSNN Awards Features Cleveland Cavaliers CEO Len Komoroski Keynote; Celebrity Chef Michael Symon-hosted Brunch

The 5th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence will feature a bevy of well-known personalities, including CEO of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise – Len Komoroski, who will give the luncheon keynote; Celebrity Chef Michael Symon, who will host the Sunday Brunch; and Meteorologist Betsy Kling, who will be the event’s emcee.

Natural Products, Trucking Industries Both See Upticks in Shows

Two industries that couldn’t be more different – Natural Products Expo East and the Great American Trucking Show - both saw increases on the showfloor at their recent events.

NPE East, owned by Penton’s New Hope Natural Media, the East Coast's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, brought together more than 23,000 attendees and 1,277 exhibitors Sept. 17-20 at the Baltimore (Md.) Convention Center.

UBM Agrees to Buy Advanstar Communications for $972 Million

U.K.-based UBM has agreed to buy Advanstar Communications for $972 Million from hedge fund Anchorage Capital Group LLC and private equity companies Veronis Suhler Stevenson and Ares Management.

The deal will make it the largest trade show organizer in the United States.

“This is a great acquisition for UBM and its shareholders. In addition to being financially attractive, it strengthens UBM’s core events business, while balancing and complementing UBM’s strong events portfolio in emerging markets,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold.

Detroit Renews Several Shows; Prepares to Welcome ASAE Annual Meeting Next August

Several shows have recently signed on to renew their contracts or in the midst of long ones at Detroit’s Cobo Center, leading to what Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of the venue, calls one of the most successful years in “memorable history”.

The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and SME just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress.

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