Association Show News
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Mar 31, 2021
The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association have agreed in principle to pool resources to form one mammoth global trade association. The organizations will finish the year working independently before joining forces on Jan. 1, 2022.
Among the implications of the move is that the association’s vast annual conventions and expos will fall under one roof.
PMA’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Anaheim, Calif., drew 15,648 attendees in 2019 and went virtual in 2020 when it could not meet in Dallas. It is scheduled to return in-person Oct. 28-30… more
Mar 09, 2021
As the exhibition industry sets its sights on recovery, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events is doing what it can to increase its international and local educational resources that its chapters can offer members. To help do just that, IAEE has for a fifth-straight year partnered with full-service exhibitions services contractor Fern to offer a free specialized education program targeting top-of-mind topics most relevant to each chapter’s membership base.
“It is important to us to provide the best and most pertinent education programming to our members, especially as our… more
Mar 04, 2021
ASAE made the difficult but what it felt was the prudent decision this week to move its Annual Meeting & Exposition online for the second consecutive year.
Originally scheduled to be held in Dallas this summer, the association’s largest event will take an approach similar to PCMA’s Convening Leaders. In addition to online distribution, there will be small meeting hubs set up in different regions for in-person networking and activities. The annual meeting will be conducted over the week of August 16.
“As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ASAE’s first priority in all… more
Feb 26, 2021
A bipartisan bill to provide a much-needed jolt to the travel and hospitality industries reached the U.S. Senate floor Thursday. Dubbed the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, the legislation proposes tax incentives to reimplement meetings and events programs and other related services that would bring back millions of jobs lost during the pandemic.
Highlights include:
A temporary business tax credit to revitalize business meetings, conferences and other structured events.
A temporarily restored entertainment business expense deduction to help entertainment venues and performing… more
Feb 24, 2021
When Jon Taffer ran the Nightclub & Bar Show, his biggest fear was that an exhibiting company would skip a year. That exhibitor would then have the opportunity to see if it could succeed without that event. If so, they might never return. In 2020, “Everyone skipped the year,” said Taffer, who served as the event’s chairman in 2019.
In the downtime since the pandemic changed work patterns and put many trade shows and conferences on hold, the world learned to work differently. There might not be any coming back, either, if event organizers are not careful. “The technology industry is… more
Feb 14, 2021
The business events industry will be represented under a unified voice with the formation of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA), an advocacy group that will champion the common interests of U.S. exhibitions and conferences with legislators.
This new coalition of eight industry associations will promote the impact of the sector, drive general industry awareness, initiate legislation on behalf of business events and work with partners globally as needed to maintain a favorable operating environment within the United States.
Existing advocacy initiatives, Go LIVE Together and… more
Feb 11, 2021
Representatives from CVBs across the world are scheduled to descend on Baltimore July 10-15 for Destinations International’s annual convention. The summer event is the highlight of DI’s lineup, announced last week, as the association looks to play a pivotal role in the travel and hospitality industries’ recovery.
As is to be expected, the Baltimore-based convention will be hybrid, allowing attendees unable to travel to participate in the education and network virtually. All of DI’s major events this year will be hybrid, with only CDME courses being solely face-to-face.
“The 2021 Annual… more
Feb 02, 2021
A new report from UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, predicts that a comeback is in the offing for trade shows.
Having polled 457 companies in 64 countries and 29 different regions, UFI lays claim to its research being the industry’s gold standard. Exhibitors as well as planners and organizers can only hope the association’s report is right on target.
According to the bi-annual UFI Global Barometer:
Industry revenues will double in 2021, compared to 2020
64% of respondents say last year’s loss of events due to COVID-19 has only reinforced the importance of face-to-… more
Jan 27, 2021
Trying to serve as a guiding light in a challenging period, PCMA brought together more than 3,000 attendees in an unusual experience befitting the COVID era.
Primarily a virtual event, PCMA’s Convening Leaders, held Jan. 11-15, also featured several hub cities where event professionals could enjoy an in-person experience while taking in the education.
In a remarkable moment, a short musical performance was livestreamed from Singapore—where 300 persons were in attendance—before a general session.
Halfway across the world in Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment attempted a different, but perhaps… more
Jan 20, 2021
Joe Biden becomes the country’s 46th president at a time when the United States is mired in a pandemic and its related economic challenges. His proposed solutions, and their effectiveness, is surely how the first part of his presidency will be measured.
The events, travel and hospitality industries are perhaps the most desperate for the dual recoveries to take place. The faster COVID-19 vaccines are distributed, the sooner airlines can fill middle seats, hotels can welcome more guests and convention centers can host large groups. The bigger business opens up for employment opportunities,… 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