Industry Embraces Upcoming Global Exhibitions Day with Events Planned Worldwide
May 29, 2016
The first-ever Global Exhibitions Day, which will take place June 8, will bring together the global exhibition industry to raise awareness about the value of exhibitions, celebrate the professionals working in the industry and make a new generation of leaders aware of the opportunities the exhibition industry has to offer.
Launched by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, together with association partners from all around the world, Global Exhibitions Day is a combination of efforts from across the exhibition industry.
UFI is coordinating all global efforts from a GED project office it has set up in Paris.
“We are very pleased by the outstanding support we’ve received from more than 30 associations, dozens of UFI members, organizers, venues and service providers and hundreds of individuals,” said UFI President Sergey Alexeev.
He added, “There are many meaningful national and regional projects promoting the value of the exhibition industry, and we are delighted to be able to cater them all under the umbrella of Global Exhibitions Day. This initiative has activated the industry to not only share one cohesive voice but to make all efforts count.”
As one of the synergies and partnerships around Global Exhibitions Day, UFI is happy to share new industry figures that display the direct value of trade shows. Exhibitions take place everywhere – from the smallest market place to the world’s mega venues.
Today, and on every day of the year, an average of 85 major trade shows take place in the economic centers of the world.
Exhibitions engage large crowds. Globally, 260 million people visit major trade shows every year to drive their business forward.
The accumulated space that these major exhibitions allocate to their exhibitors over the course of the year represents a spectacular total surface area of 124 million square meters, the equivalent of 30,000 football fields. Exhibitions generate a substantial amount of business and create valuable jobs.
Annually, visitors and exhibitors spend around €100 billion on and around exhibitions. Globally, 700,000 people get their paychecks through working directly with our industry.
UFI is supporting and connecting numerous efforts and events to mark Global Exhibitions Day. National events are set to take place in more than 20 countries.
These include a Conference and Gala Dinner in Hong Kong organized by the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA).
The Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) will coordinate a "Power of exhibitions" forum with courses on topics such as "How to exhibit".
Meanwhile, in Australia, special “spotlight events” will be organized through the Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) in connection with their annual Leaders Forum.
A conference is taking place in Moscow, initiated by the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs (RUEF). The Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA) will arrange specific lobbying actions.
In Paris, the Union Française des Métiers de l’Evénement (UNIMEV) will coordinate a “Global Exhibitions Day Run”.
In the U.S., exhibition industry professionals will talk to lawmakers on Capitol Hill at the US Exhibition Day, together with an alliance of associations brought together by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
And Germany’s Institute for the Trade Fair Industry, part of AUMA, will host a special open house for professors and students.
Besides these national activities, many exhibition organizers, venues, and service providers are preparing their own company-wide activities for Global Exhibitions Day.
To view the full list of actions reported to the GED project office at UFI, please go to www.ufi.org/ged, where the list of activities is updated on a regular basis.
The Global Exhibition Day was launched in January 2016 by UFI and a task force of partner associations: UFI (Global), AAXO and EXSA (South Africa), AEFI and CFI (Italy), AEO (UK), AFE (Spain), AFECA (Asia), AFIDA (Central & South America), AMPROFEC (Mexico), AOCA (Argentina), AUMA and Fairlink (Sweden), FAMAB (Germany), CAEM (Canada), CEFA and CENTREX (Central Europe), EEAA (Australasia), EEIA (EU), HKECIA (Hong-Kong), IAEE and SISO (USA), IECA (Indonesia), IEIA (India), IELA (Global), IFES (Global), LECA (Lebanon), MACEOS (Malaysia), MFTA (Macao), PCEI (Poland), RUEF (Russia), TEA (Thailand), UBRAFE (Brazil) and UNIMEV (France). For more information, please visit www.ufi.org/ged or contact the UFI headquarters at GED@ufi.org.
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
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