Sep 12, 2016
More and more, general service contractors are moving beyond their core business offerings to widen their services, such as Fern Exposition Services making a strategic investment in KiwiLive, a mobile web platform for audience engagement during and after live events.
As a part of Fern's investment, KiwiLive's creator and CEO, Jeff Mason, will become director of Customer Technology Innovation for Fern.
In this role, Mason will drive strategy related to the delivery of Fern services through technology.
According to Aaron Bludworth, president and CEO of Fern, Mason's specific focus will be on… more
Sep 12, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has unveiled the recipients of the 2016 Helen Brett Scholarship awards: Sarah Chung, Jordan Lacey and Mackenzie Thompson.
The Helen Brett Scholarship was established by Robert Kolinek and named for his grandmother, Helen Brett, who was a pioneer in the trade show industry.
The purpose of the scholarship is to assist individuals who are exploring the study of exhibitions and events management with the end goal of advancing their career in this field.
“It is incredibly rewarding to honor my grandmother’s legacy by offering this… more
Sep 12, 2016
The 2017 PROCESS EXPO, the trade show for the food processing industry, produced by The Food Processing Suppliers Association, has sold more than 165,000 square feet of exhibit space to 264 companies to date, more than 75 percent of its floor space.
PROCESS EXPO will take place Sept. 19-2 in the North Hall of McCormick Place in Chicago and will also feature many international exhibitors, as a result of its partnership with three German Messes who organize three food-focused trade fairs.
"We are thrilled with the response from the industry for PROCESS EXPO 2017. We opened exhibit sales… more
Sep 09, 2016
SOURCE DIRECT, an import/export trade show group in the U.S., will be expanding to New York by partnering with NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift.
The expansion will launch Feb. 5-8, 2017, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
SOURCE DIRECT at NY NOW will connect brands and product development executives in the home textile, accents, furnishings, home décor and gift products market seeking to purchase merchandise or find new overseas manufacturers or suppliers right here in New York City.
“SOURCE DIRECT has tripled in size in the past three years and has generated a… more
Sep 09, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
With the rise of digital entertainment options and the fall of attention spans, now just eight seconds on average, engaging attendees beyond a trade show or event has never been more important, or challenging. Year-round attendee engagement has become critical for building a strong event brand and maintaining attendee retention rates.
On Event Manager Blog, Kerry Creaswood explained how engagement adds power to events. She wrote, “Event marketing is no longer about creating sales pitch opportunities. It’s about getting customers to form a connection with a… more
Sep 06, 2016
The trade show industry has a history of being generous to its surrounding communities, and a few companies recently have lent a helping hand to those in need.
SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., continues to be a strong supporter of Long Island Cares, the nonprofit organization based in the same town and founded by the late Harry Chapin, which brings together resources to benefit the hungry on Long Island and meet other vital humanitarian needs.
SmartSource, which has a longstanding tradition of raising funds and volunteerism on behalf of Long… more
Sep 06, 2016
The 4th edition of Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) was held Sept. 2-4 at Hall D, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao.
Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and other co-organisers include Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Women’s General Association of Macau, the show’s purpose was to highlight Macau’s competitiveness as an international travel destination for overseas tourists.
The three-day event also was supported by the China National Tourism Administration.
More than 135… more
Sep 06, 2016
Despite the global exhibitions market experiencing a slowdown in 2015, the Indonesian tradeshow market continues to accelerate, offering lucrative opportunities for international organizers and investors, as reported in Globex 2016: the global exhibition organizing market: assessment and forecast to 2020, produced annually by AMR International.
“For the first time we dedicated an entire chapter on the Indonesian exhibitions market
because it’s an underserved market that shows no signs of slowing,” said Diana Gineva, editor of Globex 2016.
Since 2011, Indonesia has grown at close to 13 person… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Future of Events was meant to be a launch, scheduled Aug. 22-24 in Amsterdam, but every starter event’s worst nightmare occurred when organizers decided they needed to cancel it a month beforehand.
A stellar line up of speakers had been scheduled, airline tickets and hotel accommodations were made. Despite the last-minute setback, some long-time event professionals banded together and decided to hold a brand new event any way, and it would all be online.
“(We didn’t want) to lose the chance to have a brain date with the thought leaders of our industry that were scheduled to come to this… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Shenyang New World EXPO (EXPO) is only days from its special opening. The new venue will host China’s Annual National Planning Conference 2016 (ANPC) Sept. 24-26.
Current advance registrations ensure that more than 7,000 delegates will attend the event from throughout China.
Cliff Wallace, chairman of the EXPO’s private management and operating company said, “To host this prestigious event as EXPO’s opening event while celebrating the 60th anniversary Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) as a part of the event is very special for our professional management team.”
ANPC is being… 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