Mar 13, 2018
NXT Events Media Group and Meister Media Worldwide have formed Meister | NXT LLC, a new joint venture dedicated to launching events in agricultural markets. NXT Events Media Group is the events company led by industry veterans Britton Jones and Sharon Enright. In their extensive experience in the events industry, Jones and Enright combined have produced more than 100 award-winning, world-class events.  They also have a strong track record of creating new events, having launched 15 successful new shows in their 18 years of working together. In more than 150 countries, Meister Media… more
Mar 13, 2018
A marketing firm for trade associations and a special event rental company have made some strategic business moves this month. Fixation Marketing has expanded its services, staff and resources through a merger with FORT Group, a full-service marketing agency based in Ridgefield Park, N.J. Earlier this year, FORT acquired the company from Fixation President and CEO Jean Whiddon, who has worked at Fixation since 1993, acquired the company in 2000 and will stay on as brand communications strategist, which will allow her to focus on client relationships and business development. “We are… more
Mar 09, 2018
It’s a problem that has plagued the marketing industry for decades: how to holistically and accurately assess the impact of live, face-to-face events. To solve this nagging issue, GES has launched GES Measurement & Insight, a new service that provides the key information marketers need to understand and demonstrate the business value of their events, activations and exhibits. A proprietary, standardized methodology that analyzes four key metrics to tie event performance to business outcomes, GES Measurement & Insight provides valuable insights based on event data, a scoring system… more
Mar 09, 2018
From Warhol-themed terrariums to frequent flyer cocktails, the EXHIBITORLive 2018 conference and trade show inspired event and trade show marketing professionals to think about their companies’ engagement strategies in new and unexpected ways. Held Feb. 28-March 1 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the 30th annual conference and expo drew about 6,000 attendees and 234 exhibitors spanning 54,992 square feet of exhibition space. The event got the creative juices flowing in the middle of the new Connection Zone, where attendees could “connect with their species” and think… more
Mar 08, 2018
The city of Louisville, Ky., has added another high-end brand to its growing portfolio of hotel properties, in this case, a $300 million development designed to attract larger conventions and more leisure travelers to the Derby City. Featuring 612 guest rooms, 226 apartments and 70,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the Omni Louisville Hotel opened its doors ahead of schedule on March 6 with a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration headlined by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Gov. Matt Bevin, Omni Hotels & Resorts owner Bob Rowling and Omni Louisville General Manager Scott… more
Mar 07, 2018
Transform USA, the conference for data, analytics and digital in events, is gearing up take place July 18 at the Newseum, a unique and interactive museum that celebrates the history of news journalism in Washington D.C. Held annually in the U.S. and London, the one-day, invitation-only conference will focus on technology’s impact on live events and how forward-thinking show organizers can benefit from digital, data and analytics. “After last year’s successful launch, we are thrilled to gather the brightest and most innovative minds in the industry together at Transform USA for a second year… more
Mar 06, 2018
Elevation3D has signed a binding agreement to purchase Exhibit Fair International, Inc. (EFI), a Las Vegas-based design, production, and face-to-face marketing and trade show exhibit company. The full-service sales, design, production offices and warehouses will be maintained in both Boston and Las Vegas and operate under the Elevation3D brand. “The acquisition of EFI will enable Elevation3D to better service its clients from coast-to-coast, and expand EFI’s business on the East Coast,” explained Ken Karns, president of Elevation 3D, an EDPA-certified company located in Shrewsbury, MA. He… more
Mar 06, 2018
February wasn’t just a month to celebrate Valentine’s Day and slog through the dog days of winter in some areas of the U.S., it also was a busy time for companies to hire new employees and promote from within. PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, promoted Dave Newcorn to senior vice president, Digital & Data. The newly created position allows PMMI to centralize its digital and audience resources under Newcorn with data, new product development, web site development and information technology all now falling under his purview. The Cobb Galleria Centre and… more
Mar 02, 2018
If the positive 2017 full-year earnings reports for three large for-profit exhibition companies are any indication, then the industry is performing well, despite uncertain geo-political times in different regions around the world. U.K.-based Tarsus Group had record revenues last year, scoring £117 million ($161 million), compared with £86.9 million ($120 million) in the comparable year 2015, a 35-percent increase. In addition, like-for-like revenues saw an increase of 7 percent and adjusted profit before tax of £40.2 million ($55 million) was up 53 percent against 2015. "2017 was a… more
Mar 01, 2018
Hotel room poachers may think again before ruffling the feathers of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and its annual trade show and conference, the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). On Jan. 22, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ordered Tarzango, an unaffiliated travel agency, to pay USPOULTRY $749,797.50 in damages and attorney’s fees for infringing upon the association’s valid and subsisting IPPE U.S. trademark registrations in the agency’s “deceptive advertising practices,” according to USPOULTRY. In 2017, Tarzango sent… 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