Tech News

Apr 19, 2015
The National Confectioners Association will utilize Experient’s Engage Unfied Mobile App as their official event app for their 2015 Sweets and Snacks Expo. Already utilizing Experient’s registration and lead retrieval services, NCA added Engage to enhance the on- and off-site experiences of attendees and exhibitors. As the official registration provider for the event, Experient will tie the registration data to Engage, allowing event organizers the ability to track demographic data from registration and behavioral data from the mobile app and lead retrieval. “What stands out… more
Apr 12, 2015
Most of us treat social media posts and interactions as having ephemeral experiences – seen today, forgotten tomorrow. But, as practiced marketers well know, there always are some posts that deserve a much longer shelf life. When a customer posts a complimentary testimonial or when your organization posts about a prestigious award win, these are messages that you should be promoting and circulating to help you spread the word about your brand. Here are three nifty ways to drive engagement for your social media messages: 1.Embed into your event website, blog and e-newsletters Embedding… more
Apr 12, 2015
Most of us treat social media posts and interactions as having ephemeral experiences – seen today, forgotten tomorrow. But, as practiced marketers well know, there always are some posts that deserve a much longer shelf life. When a customer posts a complimentary testimonial or when your organization posts about a prestigious award win, these are messages that you should be promoting and circulating to help you spread the word about your brand. Here are three nifty ways to drive engagement for your social media messages: 1.Embed into your event website, blog and e-newsletters Embedding… more
Apr 10, 2015
Up until a few weeks ago if you typed Meerkat into a Google search you would see images of small mongooses. When searching the term periscope, you would get pages and pages of references to an optical instrument. Today, those same Google searches provide pages and pages of content  referring to two much-talked about apps that let users stream live video from their mobile phone. Meerkat was the first to flood news feeds when attendees at SXSW started using it. John Shinal writing for USA Today said, “the most popular uses of the app was using Meerkat to stream others using Meerkat.… more
Apr 10, 2015
Up until a few weeks ago if you typed Meerkat into a Google search you would see images of small mongooses. When searching the term periscope, you would get pages and pages of references to an optical instrument. Today, those same Google searches provide pages and pages of content  referring to two much-talked about apps that let users stream live video from their mobile phone. Meerkat was the first to flood news feeds when attendees at SXSW started using it. John Shinal writing for USA Today said, “the most popular uses of the app was using Meerkat to stream others using Meerkat.… more
Mar 29, 2015
1.       Customer experience Customer experience rather than brand loyalty is taking center stage globally. More resources are being channeled than ever before into online, social media and face-to-face customer service. According to Gartner, by 2017, 50 percent of consumer product investments will be redirected to customer experience innovations. Consumers will bring similar customer service expectations to the events they attend. 2.       Interactive marketing These days, customers expect to be active participants in the success… more
Mar 29, 2015
SourceDirect at ASD (SourceDirect) has unveiled its brand new, fully-functional website, sourcedirectshow.com. The website serves the SourceDirect community as a virtual resource for importers, distributors, wholesalers, sourcing and product development professionals who have, or are interested in, doing business directly with manufacturers around the world. The new site provides extensive content and 24/7 access to both buyers and suppliers about the SourceDirect show. Launched in 2013, SourceDirect is a part of ASD MARKETWeek, the largest general merchandise, wholesale trade show… more
Mar 29, 2015
1.       Customer experience Customer experience rather than brand loyalty is taking center stage globally. More resources are being channeled than ever before into online, social media and face-to-face customer service. According to Gartner, by 2017, 50 percent of consumer product investments will be redirected to customer experience innovations. Consumers will bring similar customer service expectations to the events they attend. 2.       Interactive marketing These days, customers expect to be active participants in the success… more
Mar 29, 2015
SourceDirect at ASD (SourceDirect) has unveiled its brand new, fully-functional website, sourcedirectshow.com. The website serves the SourceDirect community as a virtual resource for importers, distributors, wholesalers, sourcing and product development professionals who have, or are interested in, doing business directly with manufacturers around the world. The new site provides extensive content and 24/7 access to both buyers and suppliers about the SourceDirect show. Launched in 2013, SourceDirect is a part of ASD MARKETWeek, the largest general merchandise, wholesale trade show… more
Mar 16, 2015
At the ongoing South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive, as expected, one of the biggest buzz is about the emerging world of Internet of Things (IoT) for Consumers.  In a number of conference sessions I attended during the first two days at the event, leaders from the technology space shared both their enthusiasm as well as concerns about the impact of IoT on our long term future. Connected smart devices that automatically share information with each other and collect data about the users' activities are set to become ubiquitous. While it is anticipated that these new technologies will… 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