Tech News

Jan 07, 2019
Not all that long ago, all meetings were conducted face-to-face. More recently, technology enabled virtual meetings. Today, a hybrid model allows for more participants spread across a wider geographical area but the challenge has continued to be around engagement. How do you keep remote participants engaged and how do you keep and share the data generated within the meeting? Park MGM andCiscohave an answer: the new 7,000 square foot Ideation Studio. With the opening of the Studio, Las Vegas’ Park MGM is the world’s first hotel to offer groups Cisco Webex Boards and Cisco Webex Teams … more
Jan 03, 2019
Despite the cold front and accompanying rain that visitors endured at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2018, held Dec. 10-13 in New Orleans, technology was shining bright inside at the conference.  With an overall focus on enhancing the attendee experience, the new technologies showcased at the event did not disappoint and will likely be a strong focus for trade show marketers in the new year. While exhibitors offered many technologies that attendees could interact with and learn about, these three stood out as trends to watch in 2019: Getting into a ZenSpace: Exhibitors… more
Dec 20, 2018
Meeting scheduling can be the bane of an event planner’s existence. Anyone who has ever tried to coordinate multiple schedules in order to book meetings or demos at trade shows or conferences knows how difficult it can be – the phrase “herding cats” springs to mind.  It’s equally difficult to show the value of these meetings and how they influence sales pipeline and revenue generation. Jifflenow aims to solve both of these problems with its meeting automation platform (MAP). “Enterprises are looking beyond lead generation at events and have been asking for solutions to influence revenue… more
Dec 13, 2018
Merriam-Webster defines the snowball effect as a situation in which one action or event causes many other similar actions or events. And that is exactly what event tech startup snöball (with a lowercase “s”) is designed to do for word-of-mouth, or influencer, marketing. Snöballhelps event organizers harness the power of influencer marketing and put it to use for their events. With snöball, planners can empower all their constituents, or micro-influencers, to raise awareness of an event in a personal — and therefore more meaningful — manner.  The brainchild of industry veteran Rachel Stephan… more
Dec 11, 2018
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is continuing to reinvigorate Houston’s convention center campus and the city’s Downtown area with its latest public art installation, LOOP.  A cross between a music box, a zoetrope and a railway handcar, LOOP is a retro-futuristic machine that spans more than six feet in diameter and creates animated fairy-tale loops.  Through the combined efforts of visitors working the hand lever, the image cylinder spins and lights up, creating the illusion of motion in the drawings. “The artistry and creativity of LOOP elevate the Downtown Houston visitor experience,”… more
Dec 06, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will feature a series of emerging technology solution use cases at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, taking place Dec. 11-13 in New Orleans.  Already proven in the exhibitions and events marketplace, these Tech Use Cases are designed to give exhibition and event producers an opportunity to explore a wide range of solutions to answer the challenges they face in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape that is the exhibitions and events industry. IAEE’s Technologies Committee comprises technology domain experts… more
Dec 04, 2018
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with Balluun, has launched CONEXPO Connect, an online B2B marketplace serving the global construction industry.  The new platform was unveiled at the AEM Annual Conference, held Nov. 28-30 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Powered by Balluun’s digital market network solution, CONEXPO Connect is an online destination that allows equipment manufacturers and contractors to connect and engage 24/7, 365 days a year.  By bringing the most valuable parts of AEM’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show online, CONEXPO Connect… more
Nov 30, 2018
The winners of the IBTM World 2018 Tech Watch Awards were announced at the IBTM World event in Barcelona this week. Zenus and Fielddrive were the joint recipients of the Tech Watch Award, while Kubify took home the inaugural “People’s Choice” award for its Learning Toolbox.  A panel of well-known industry experts selected Zenus and Fielddrive for their pioneering and impactful work in bringing facial recognition software to the events industry.  “Zenus is the creator of the software and Fielddrive has been a significant implementor of the product by exploring and measuring the onsite best… more
Nov 27, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has partnered with AVIXA and PSAV to present the Tech AV Experience at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, set for Dec. 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.  Focused on how audio/visual can be applied to increase attendee ROI, this series of showfloor education experiences will zero in on AV-related content for trade show professionals. “This is the first time we have featured AV-focused learning experiences at Expo! Expo!,” said David DuBois, president and CEO of IAEE, known as the… more
Nov 21, 2018
The social media platforms of Vision Expo West 2018 reached an all-time high with a double-digit percentage increase across impressions, engagements and video views compared to the year before.  Held Sept. 26-29 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Vision Expo West and its East Coast edition, Vision Expo East, are B2B conferences and exhibitions for eyecare and eyewear professionals presented by co-owners Reed Exhibitions and The Vision Council.  In the 30 days following the Show, reports indicate impressions, engagements and video views climbed up by the thousands,… 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