Jun 14, 2018
This week, we found out who will host the world’s largest and most passion-inducing event, For the Events Industry, it re-emphasizes a vital truth about our work, one we occasionally fail to put into practice.
The extravaganza in the spotlight is the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and its venues will be North American. Canada, Mexico, and the USA will provide a diverse setting for 48 national teams and over 100 stadium-filling matches.
Now, you may not follow soccer or think much about sports in general, but “The United Bid”, as it is called, is a massive win for the three nation’s economies… more
Jun 14, 2018
Community Brands, provider of cloud-based software solutions for associations, nonprofits, schools and faith-based groups, has acquired global event technology and service company, Expo Logic.
The addition of Expo Logic strengthens the Community Brands event management suite, which already includes event registration, mobile event fundraising and conference content video capture.
“Meetings and events play an integral role in enhancing our customers’ organizational performance and our national economy,” explained Jean-Paul Guilbault, president and CEO of Community Brands.
He continued, “As… more
Jun 14, 2018
In this era of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, women across a wide range of industries are speaking up and pushing back against the patriarchal status quo, and the events industry is no exception.
But, in a field where women are chronically underrepresented in leadership positions, what’s it going to take to empower more female event professionals to reach their career goals free from the impediments of institutionalized sexism and gender inequality?
As a former political activist and organizer who has worked tirelessly to inspire progressive change, Emilie Aries is a passionate… more
Jun 13, 2018
Global B2B event organizer, UBM, has expanded its healthcare event portfolio with the acquisition of ExpoMed from LIVEMED in Mexico and Live Healthcare in Brazil from founders Dr. Vitor Assentuno and Dr. Raphael Gordilho.
Through these new acquisitions, UBM continues to grow its portfolio of healthcare events and further expands its position as a leading organizer in the Latin America healthcare sector.
“Healthcare is a strategic vertical for UBM Americas, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, where public and private healthcare spending and service markets are growing rapidly,” explained… more
Jun 12, 2018
The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association lowered the curtain on its first InfoComm show in North America as AVIXA, while the annual trade show and conference for audiovisual professionals set new records for size and attendance.
Held June 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show kicked off with a record-setting TIDE (Technology. Innovation. Design. Experience.) conference and boasted an exhibition that attracted nearly 43,000 registered attendees from across the U.S. and abroad, a 10 percent increase compared to the last time InfoComm was held in Las Vegas, in 2016.
“… more
Jun 07, 2018
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has hired Joyce Leveston as General Manager to oversee Boston’s Hynes Convention Center and Boston Convention & Exhibitions Center.
She begins her new role July 16.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be welcomed into the MCCA family. I look forward to supporting the vision and growth of such well respected professionals in the industry,” said Joyce Leveston.
She added, “It is my intention to build on Boston’s outstanding industry reputation for customer service excellence as we welcome and host visitors from around the world to the MCCA’… more
Jun 07, 2018
Clarion UX has implemented two new key buyer programs across its restaurant and foodservice event portfolio designed to quantifiably enhance exhibitor ROI.
Created to deliver VIP restaurateurs, foodservice professionals and retail buyers, the programs will be driven by Karen Gillis, key accounts manager for the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo; Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show; International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York and each show’s collocated Healthy Food Expo.
Gillis will serve as a liaison with VIP attendees while providing them with personal customer… more
Jun 06, 2018
Marketplace Events has purchased two shows from O’Loughlin Trade Shows, the largest producer of consumer shows in the Pacific Northwest.
Marketplace Events now will operate both the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, held each February at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle and the Tacoma Home & Garden Show, held in January at the Tacoma Dome.
“From both a personal and professional standpoint, this is a meaningful deal,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events, which is known as the largest producer of business-to-consumer home shows in North America.
He… more
May 31, 2018
The mergers and acquisitions market continues to tick away with new activity as two recent companies – Endeavor Business Media and Caribou Media Group - both made recent buys.
Caribou Media Group acquired two events and one publication from F+W Media.
The BLADE Show, now in its 37th year, is the largest knife event in North America. It is held each year at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, draws 15,000 enthusiast attendees and sells 170,000 square feet of exhibit space to 800 exhibiting companies.
The company recently launched a second annual BLADE event to be held the first time later… more
May 31, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research reports that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the first quarter of 2018.
The performance of the industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a decent year-over-year gain of 1.8 percent, even though it underperformed the overall macroeconomy.
"The increase in the first quarter supports our prediction that the exhibition industry will finally enter into an expansion phase in 2018 with the Total Index surpassing its previous peak," said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic… 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