Nov 10, 2014
By Stephanie Selesnick
The SEMA Show, organized by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, filled the Las Vegas Convention Center last week from Nov. 4-7.
It attracted more than 140,000 qualified trade attendees from 130 countries, used 1.13 million net square feet of exhibit space (indoors and outside), showcased 2,400+ exhibitors (550 new ones), was covered by over 3,500 international media and had 1.500 vehicles on display.
Some of the more popular areas were two outside demonstration tracks, SEMA Central, an interactive and branded area in the Central Lobby, featuring smart wall… more
Nov 09, 2014
The Consumer Electronics Association has unveiled that Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management at AUDI AG, will deliver a preshow keynote address at the 2015 International CES Asia.
The inaugural event will run May 25-27 in Shanghai, China, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) and will draw global businesses to showcase the latest products and technologies entering the Asian marketplace.
CEA is co-organizing the event with Intex Shanghai Co., Ltd., a producer of international tradeshows in China.
“Under Rupert Stadler’s leadership, Audi has become an… more
Nov 08, 2014
The Georgia World Congress Center recently was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The GWCC is now the world’s largest LEED-certified convention center. With 3.9 million square feet, the GWCC is also the 14th largest LEED-certified building in the world.
“We could not be happier to receive this certification,” said Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), the State Authority that governs the GWCC, Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park and manages the Savannah… more
Nov 06, 2014
Kenji Haroutunian, who has led Emerald Expositions’ biannual Outdoor Retailer shows for eight years, is leaving his post at the end of November.
Marisa Nicholson will step into the show director role. She most recently was Emerald’s group sales director for the Sports Group and has worked with the company for 11 years.
“I really learned a lot working with the company and from its leadership, David Loechner and Darrell Denny,” Haroutunian said.
He added, “Eight years as a show director and 15 with the company, I have no regrets.”
Haroutunian added that he has that same feeling right now as… more
Nov 05, 2014
A few days before PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies’ PACK EXPO International opened Nov. 2-5 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, two staff members, Katie Bergmann and Jim Pittas, were upped to senior vice presidents.
The recent acquisition of Summit Media Group’s digital platform and the expansion of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows can both be attributed to Bergmann and Pittas, according to PMMI officials.
PHARMA Expo launched at this week’s show as a collocated event, and PACK EXPO also will be launching on the East Coast in February at the Pennsylvania… more
Nov 05, 2014
IEIA, the Indian Exhibition Industry Association, and SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, have agreed to share knowledge and information among their respective exhibition industry members.
"This agreement will offer our members an unprecedented opportunity to grow their respective brands outside of the USA with the knowledge and assistance of our international partners, making their expansions efficient and cost effective,” said Rick McConnell, Chairman of SISO.
He added, “At the same time, SISO will act as the eyes and ears of the U.S. market as IEIA members seek opportunities… more
Nov 04, 2014
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Foundation recently named the recipients of the 2014 Helen Brett™ Scholarship awards: Taylor Dudley, Hope Mckendry, Abigail Rubin and Kathleen Sands.
The Helen Brett™ Scholarship was established by Robert Kolinek, CEM, CMP, 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.
"The CEIR Foundation is committed to fostering and… more
Nov 04, 2014
Just more than a month ago, 5,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors gathered at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center to take part in the 25th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas 2014, which serves the breakbulk cargo logistics industry.
At the show, held Sept. 29-Oct. 1, project cargo and traditional breakbulk cargo owners had the opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends and to meet with specialized carriers, freight forwarders, ports/ terminals, packers and equipment companies that handle oversized cargoes requiring unique handling techniques.
Burkhalter, a heavy-lifting… more
Nov 03, 2014
Cygnus Business Media sold off a significant portion of its trade show portfolio, along with 11 publications and seven related Web sites, to SouthComm Business Media.
The trade show portion of the sale consisted of seven events that included Firehouse Expo; Firehouse World Expo; EMS World Expo; EMS Redline; EMS on the Hill; Officer World; and Secured Cities.
The shows were part of Cygnus’ Public Safety Group. Corporate Solutions of Westport, Conn., represented Cygnus Business Media on the sale. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Five years ago, we embarked on a mission to improve… more
Nov 02, 2014
The third quarter was a good one in more ways than one for Phoenix-based Viad, as well as its divisions, including Global Experience Specialists in the U.S. and overseas.
Overall 3Q revenues for Viad were up 36.2 percent to nearly $300 million, compared with the same quarter in 2013, with GES in the U.S. scoring a 39.5 percent revenue increase to $168 million, and overseas the company pulled in a whopping 59 percent uptick to $64 million, compared with the same quarters in 2013.
Viad’s Travel and Recreation also saw a nearly 15 percent 3Q revenue increase to $73 million, compared with the… 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