Association Show News
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Sep 13, 2021
Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect is gearing up to launch a second signature conference next year. Set for May 22-24, 2022 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, Connect Puerto Rico will host more than 2,000 meeting and event professionals at a multi-track event designed to serve as a hub for networking and business development for corporate, association and sports planners. Connect will host a second large-scale conference in Detroit, Aug. 8-10.
The 2022 plans come on the heels of Connect’s successful 2021 marketplace in Tampa, Fla. Held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the… more
Sep 07, 2021
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) recently released two more case studies from its Global Virtual Event Trends series, which examines the insights of organizations that traditionally run or manage in-person B2B exhibitions but pivoted to producing virtual events due to COVID-19-related constraints and regulations.
As the latest case studies in the series, Case Study: Access Intelligence and Case Study: 1st Arabia Tradeshow & Conferences provide real-world examples of how each organization adapted its events to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of their… more
Sep 02, 2021
As those in the meetings and exhibitions industries know all too well, changes in the COVID-19 pandemic are continuing to cause major challenges for event organizers, with any organization looking to host a trade show or conference tasked with taking changing information from public health officials into account. In such a complex environment, it can be understandably difficult for organizers to demonstrate their ability to run events in a safe and sustainable way.
Enter Epistemix, a leading provider of analytical tools that simulate how diseases, ideas and behavior spread through… more
Aug 31, 2021
With the theme “Let’s Go UP,” the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) took hybrid to new heights for its 2021 Annual Meeting, held Aug. 13-18. Nearly 3,200 association professionals and industry partners gathered virtually through the Intrado platform and in-person through innovative Pop-UPs around the country to exchange knowledge, tap into new possibilities, explore ground-breaking strategies and learn from inspiring leaders.
Giving registrants options in the ways to access the content and solutions they need to keep their organizations relevant and positioned for prosperity… more
Aug 20, 2021
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, has joined The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code), a multi-stakeholder initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in travel and tourism throughout the world.
As a voluntary set of six criteria to keep children safe that its members commit to, The Code provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation. As the world’s first and… more
Aug 17, 2021
CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology trade show, will require in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to participate in the live event, set for Jan. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For those unable to travel to Las Vegas, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which owns and produces the show, will once again create a digital event that will run in parallel with the in-person program.
“Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO in a… more
Aug 05, 2021
While leisure travel is starting to make a comeback, the U.S. hotel industry’s road to recovery from the pandemic is forecasted to be a prolonged and uneven one, with urban markets disproportionately impacted, according to a new report and state-by-state job loss breakdown released last month by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
The uptick in leisure travel has improved industry projections that were made at the beginning of this year, but the hospitality industry overall still remains well below pre-pandemic levels, according to Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA, the sole… more
Aug 04, 2021
Virtual and hybrid events continue to transform the industry at warp speed, with companies reshaping the way attendees interact and share information and the way event organizers plan truly engaging events. Check out some of the latest developments that are moving event tech forward.
JUNO
Creating lasting community ecosystems is at the core of digital experience platform JUNO. The company has just come full circle with the release of “From Here to 365,” a new guide to assist organizations with digitally transforming their events and driving year-round audience engagement.
"From Here to… more
Aug 03, 2021
One of the many effects of the pandemic was the movement of many city residents to nearby suburbs. The same reasons for the mini-exodus, namely cost and convenience, could also lead more events to make similar leaps.
If any region is capable of a shift in event locations, it’s the surrounding areas outside the nation’s capital. Beyond being home to the federal government, Washington, D.C. and its neighboring counties are the hub of many national associations. Marriott International makes its home in nearby Bethesda, Maryland (where its new headquarters will also be located) and Hilton’s… more
Aug 02, 2021
The Events Industry Council (EIC) recently launched an interactive, self-paced online version of its in-person Sustainable Event Professional Certificate Program (SEPC), putting educational opportunities within easier reach for event planners, suppliers and sustainability professionals seeking to improve the environmental performance of their events and services.
Developed by a globally diverse group of business events industry leaders and experts in sustainability, social impact and event management, the course covers 16 modules that include understanding the business value of… 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