Nov 10, 2011
In a little over one year, West Conshohocken, Pa.-based SMG has won its fourth public bid to manage the Jekyll Island Convention Center on the Georgia Coast, which is set to open in the second quarter of 2012, giving the management firm more than 14 million square feet of prime space it now oversees. The newest win was from the Jekyll Island Authority that selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management. Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the… more
Nov 10, 2011
In a little over one year, West Conshohocken, Pa.-based SMG has won its fourth public bid to manage the Jekyll Island Convention Center on the Georgia Coast, which is set to open in the second quarter of 2012, giving the management firm more than 14 million square feet of prime space it now oversees. The newest win was from the Jekyll Island Authority that selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management. Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the… more
Nov 08, 2011
Trade Show News Network is pleased to announce the debut release of the TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Shows list of rankings. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year in ranked by net square footage in Canada. The full list can be found at http://www.tsnn.com/datasite-cdn. Snagging the No. 1 spot was Regina Exhibition Association’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,189,783 net square foot showfloor. Despite overall negative economic trends, the showfloor grew in 2010 from 969,783 sq. ft. at the… more
Nov 07, 2011
When the biennial Dubai Airshow opens Nov. 13-17 at the United Arab Emirates city’s Airport Expo, it will be the biggest show yet, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and nearly 55,000 trade visitors, a 4-percent increase, compared with the 52,978 attendees and 890 exhibitors at the 2009 event. In addition, 100-plus aircraft will be appearing at the show for the first time in the Middle East. Making its Middle East debut is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner , and it will be joined on the static display park, among others, by the Pakistan Air Force’s JF17 Thunder fighter, the Bell/Boeing… more
Nov 06, 2011
The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., was the site of a weekend filled with festivities to celebrate the 2nd Annual TSNN Event Excellence Awards (T-awards), with overall winners for fastest-growing net square footage and fastest-growing attendance, as well as other awards, being revealed at a Saturday night gala filled with show organizers and suppliers to the industry. The top overall winner for fastest-growing show for net square footage was True Value Company’s True Value Spring Market, and the fastest-growing show for attendance was IFT – Institute of Food… more
Oct 31, 2011
For the first time, the Craft & Hobby Association is opening up its Winter Conference & Trade Show to exhibitors who are not members of the organization. The strategy behind the decision, according to CHA officials, is to be aligned with the show’s renewed focus on the power of building a creative community and commitment to serving the entire industry. By allowing nonmembers to exhibit at the show, Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center, CHA is inviting the entire industry to participate in and experience the craft and hobby community first-hand and participate… more
Oct 29, 2011
The 2011 National District Export Council Conference & Exposition might be small, especially by Las Vegas standards, but the power it yields for exports worldwide is big. The show, hosted by the Nevada DEC Nov. 2-5 at Caesars Palace, is North America’s largest conference and trade show solely dedicated to exporting U.S. goods and services. The conference and expo will host more than 400 attendees involved in global trade, including high-level U.S. government agencies, such as the U.S. Commercial Services that certifies trade shows to be a part of the International Buyer… more
Oct 22, 2011
Global Experience Specialist’s parent company, Viad, recently released its third-quarter earnings, and while numbers for the Marketing & Events Group, of which GES is a part of, were down because of negative show rotation, base same-show numbers scored a nearly 11-percent increase, compared with last year’s Q3 numbers.  Viad’s overall revenues saw a 1-percent increase in the third quarter to $216.2 million, compared with the same period last year, as well as $1.2 million in net income. The Travel & Recreation Group also saw growth in the third quarter, with… more
Oct 08, 2011
We were so thrilled to receive several amazing submissions that we decided to choose FIVE nominees for TSNN’s inaugural “Best of Show” award. It’s pretty simple – Please fill out the form located HERE. One vote per e-mail is allowed. Voting closes Oct. 25 at 12:00 a.m. EST. The winner will be announced at the 2011 TSNN Event Excellence Awards Nov. 4-6 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in D.C. For more info please visit www.T-awards.com. Here are the five nominees: AIBTM - The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition European and Asian markets, but they decided to take a chance on launching in the… more
Oct 08, 2011
The 2011 TSNN Event Excellence Awards, Nov. 4-6 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., promises to be a stand-out event with thought-provoking keynotes, valuable educational sessions and the naming this year’s Industry Icon Award Honoree, Jason McGraw. McGraw is the senior vice president of expositions for InfoComm International and a 24-year veteran of the trade show industry. Besides InfoComm, he also has worked on some of the biggest shows, such as CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the International Builders Show. He also has managed international shows held in China, Europe, Japan,… 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