Oct 10, 2016
After an extensive national search, John Frisch, chairman of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board of Directors, unveiled that Al Hutchinson has been chosen as Visit Baltimore’s new president and CEO. Hutchinson will assume his new role Nov. 14.
Hutchinson brings more than 24 years of experience in the hospitality and destination marketing industry to Baltimore, most recently serving as president and CEO of Visit Mobile (Ala.), where he was recognized as the 2016 Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance’s ‘Tourism Promoter of the Year.’
Under Hutchinson’s leadership,… more
Oct 06, 2016
The summer months are over and fall officially has arrived, with several companies recently signing contracts.
Corcoran Expositions has been retained by the Water Quality Association to assist with exhibit sales and related services.
“We look forward to working with the Water Quality Association in producing their upcoming trade show,” said Tom Corcoran, founder of the 26-year-old Corcoran Expositions. “We hope to work with them for years to come.”
Corcoran Expositions will provide exhibit sales support and related services for the Lisle, Ill.-based Water Quality Association… more
Oct 05, 2016
Hurricane Matthew already has wreaked devastation across the Caribbean, and now the most current forecast has its trek taking aim at not only the East Coast of Florida, but also up through Georgia and the Carolinas.
With several places declaring states of emergency and people beginning to evacuate, trade shows and events up and down the possible affected areas also have started to cancel.
Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center has a number of events scheduled in the next few days.
On the venue’s Web site, the following statement was issued this morning:
“At this time, the Orange County… more
Oct 04, 2016
RAI Amsterdam, owners and producers of METSTRADE (The Marine Equipment Trade Show), has purchased a 50-percent stake in the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference from WoodenBoat Publications Inc., publisher of Professional BoatBuilder magazine.
The announcement was made at the IBEX show, which currently is being held in Tampa, Fla.
Starting Oct. 7, RAI Amsterdam will partner with the National Marine Manufacturers Association to produce future IBEX events.
"Working alongside Professional BoatBuilder we have made IBEX the best marine trade event in North America.… more
Oct 04, 2016
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the largest trade association for the $39 billion worldwide attractions industry, will relocate its global headquarters office to Orlando in 2017.
In addition, plans to host its annual conference and trade show, the IAAPA Attractions Expo, in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center through 2030.
The move from Alexandria, Va., and convention contract extension are contingent upon support from the state of Florida and Orange County, Fla.
The IAAPA Board of Directors approved the relocation and convention agreement… more
Oct 03, 2016
The trade show community was tasked to “Show Some Love” for outstanding show managers with a nomination for The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Award, and the five honorees have been chosen.
This year’s SMOTY Awards will be presented Oct. 29 in Atlantic City at the TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) to the following outstanding show managers.
2016 Honorees
Tier I – 1 to 150 booths
Leslie Wiernik, Executive Director, National Association of Subrogation Professionals
Charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Tier II – 151 to 300 booths
David Heilbrunn, Show Manager, … more
Oct 01, 2016
As CEO of Fern, Aaron Bludworth oversees all executive management of the company and its subsidiary companies. Bludworth’s career in the exposition industry began in 1992 with Modern Display, where he filled numerous executive positions during 15 years. He also was briefly an executive with GES, where he managed the National Corporate Events Group and oversaw Las Vegas trade show sales. Bludworth is very active in the exhibition industry; he currently is chairman of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) and a past president and board member of the Exhibition Services and… more
Sep 29, 2016
MIS Training Institute, a leader in information security and audit training, and nGage Events, the leader in hosted model events, have announced the Security Leadership Exchange, which will be held Sept. 24-26 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Security Leadership Exchange is an invitation-only, strategic business forum that gathers Chief Information Security Officers (CISO)s and security industry leaders to address the unique needs of CISOs as integral members of the C-suite.
“The role of a CISO can be a thankless task,’” said Tony Keefe, president and CEO, MISTI. “… more
Sep 29, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
This week, the world’s largest mining equipment, products and services exhibition was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Sponsored by the National Mining Association (NMA), MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2016 covered more than 840,000 net square feet, showcasing the latest mining equipment and technology from 1,900-plus exhibitors around the world.
Held every four years, MINExpo this year welcomed more than 44,000 attendees from 130 countries to the event. Several well-known figures including Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Indy 500 Champion Helio Castroneves, who stopped by… more
Sep 28, 2016
Rachel Wimberly
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), an association for the food retail industry, has decided to shift its events strategy and cancel its annual trade show – FMI Connect.
The show was scheduled to run next June at Chicago’s McCormick Place and was held this past June along with United Fresh, Global Cold Chain Expo and the International Floriculture Expo.
Nearly 6,500 attendees and 491 exhibiting companies took part in FMI Connect in June 2016.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement to its members today announcing the association’s refocused… 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