Tech News
Sponsored by
Oct 13, 2017
As a global provider of brand experiences that has been advancing in the event technology space, Freeman understands the industry-wide challenges of digital tool integration.
In an effort solve this often frustrating issue and create a more seamless experience for event organizers and attendees in the process, the company has introduced Fuzion by Freeman, an open product ecosystem designed to simplify integration by acting as a foundation between digital solutions, establishing a common language that allows multiple tools to talk to each other.
With Fuzion, event organizers will have the… more
Oct 10, 2017
Continental Exhibitions, a leading trade show and conference management company with headquarters in New York City, officially has acquired TechDay, a growing series of tech conferences with annual events in New York City, Los Angeles and London.
“I’m very excited to bring my 30+ years of experience within the exhibition and tradeshow space to help serve the needs of this dynamic marketplace,” said Walter Charnizon, president of Continental Exhibitions.
He added, “The tech industry is quickly evolving and I look forward to building events that keep pace with these changes.”
TechDay is a… more
Oct 06, 2017
IMEX is replacing its original event organizing platform with EventReference, a cloud-based event management system developed by U.K.-based RefTech.
EventReference will be used to manage all of IMEX’s online interaction with show attendees, including all registrations, hosted buyer travel, buyer and exhibitor appointment schedules and the exhibitor booth directory.
Going forward, every person attending IMEX in any capacity will be using EventReference to register, manage and plan their visit.
“IMEX has grown and we have evolved our processes and listened and adapted to the growing and… more
Oct 03, 2017
For event planners and marketers, analytical reports can be gold mines for driving registrations, adoption of tools and calculating ROI. However, the true potential of analytics remains underutilized in testing the effectiveness of marketing efforts, testing new audience segments and creating impactful cross-promotional efforts. This is mostly because there are a plethora of options and features available, as well as disconnected channels that add significant complexity to the analytical process and make accurate attribution extremely difficult.
If you have been struggling with putting your… more
Sep 29, 2017
Smart City Networks, a provider of technology and telecommunications services for the convention industry, has embarked upon a process to convert phone lines at 39 convention centers and venues to SIP trunking in the next year.
The upgrade is expected to improve reliability, performance and cost at these facilities, according to Smart City officials.
While not the in-demand technology in the current industry landscape, phone service in public assembly areas can play a key role in emergency response situations, as demonstrated in Houston with Hurricane Harvey, Florida with Hurricane Irma and… more
Sep 27, 2017
Core-apps has updated and enhanced its Access 365 product, an event app feature that allows show organizers to extend the life of their apps beyond their events.
The new updates not only provide associations and event planners with a flexible payment structure but also technical enhancements designed to help turn an event app into a year-round engagement tool.
The new pricing model features a low monthly fee to help mitigate the upfront costs of implementation, thus lowering the barrier of entry so organizers can engage with their audiences 365 days a year. This goes into effect immediately… more
Sep 22, 2017
Move over photo booths and gamification – virtual reality could soon be taking the event entertainment world by storm. From exploring underwater worlds and creating large 3D drawings to battling alien spaceships or brain-eating zombies, virtual reality games and experiences at events provide attendees with immersive and engaging experiences that not only help make events more fun, but also more memorable.
Geared specifically toward corporate meetings, conventions, trade shows and private parties, VR Arcade NOLA is a mobile virtual reality entertainment company that offers interactive VR… more
Sep 21, 2017
A new Start-Up Pavilion has been created at ibtm world 2017 where tech and experiential start-up companies can exhibit, giving them the opportunity to showcase their product to more than 15,000 highly influential MICE industry professionals.
The three-day event takes place Nov. 28-30 at Fira Gran Via Barcelona in Spain.
Companies eligible to exhibit in the Start-Up Pavilion must be two years or younger, with five or fewer full-time employees and with an annual turnover of less than $600,000.
As part of the exhibiting package, they will receive their own personalised diary, with the… more
Sep 15, 2017
To commemorate the completion of its $140 million expansion and renovation project, the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio did what most event facilities would do: host a grand reopening celebration to show off its newly expanded and beautified digs.
But instead of just carrying out the usual fanfare at this special event, held Aug. 31, the downtown Columbus facility had another surprise up its sleeve: the reveal of a giant, 3-D interactive art piece.
“As We Are” is a 14-foot, 3-D human head-shaped sculpture made from ribbons of ultra-bright LED screens. Created by… more
Sep 13, 2017
Eventerprise, a digital event platform that connects event organizers with event suppliers, including products, services, planners and venues, has released a new version of its platform.
The multi-sided SaaS platform connects event businesses with clients through free, interactive profiles that showcase each event planner’s or supplier’s unique offerings, key strengths and any transparent client reviews or ratings.
Eventerprise’s 5th version includes added features that allow event planners to create independent reviews of suppliers across all categories and geographical locations, as… 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