Aug 19, 2020
Thanks to strong health and safety measures and a new touchless registration system to protect event participants, more than 95 percent of permanent showrooms will be open for business during the August Market events at Dallas Market Center. This 5-million-square-foot wholesale marketplace for retailers and interior designers is located near downtown Dallas.
More than 800 permanent showrooms and 450 temporary spaces will be open during the Total Home & Gift Market, set for Aug. 19-25; and the Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld and the Western & English Market, all three of… more
Aug 18, 2020
IBTM Americas' virtual summit will take place Aug. 25-26. The interactive digital experience will be hosted on the Go To Webcast platform and will bring together 16 speakers to share topical insights and learnings that will provide tangible benefits for attendees, all under the theme of “humanizing the change."
The complimentary virtual summit will be run in both Spanish and English to allow for the global reach of the IBTM Americas audience, and will cover subject matters including event finance, sustainable events, event planning, innovation and creativity, marketing and branding, event… more
Aug 14, 2020
The results are in: Registration reached an all-time high for the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition, with the most registrants ever in the organization’s 100-year history. Held Aug. 10-12, the online event registered 14,108 association professionals, consultants and industry partners, 71 percent of which were first-time attendees. The event’s final attendance breakdown included 12,813 executives; 544 exhibitors; 207 industry partners; 433 consultants and 111 others including press, vendors and staff. The ratio of buyer to sellers was 95 percent to 5 percent, respectively.
The… more
Aug 12, 2020
As meeting and event professionals continue to grapple with the impact the pandemic has had on the industry, the Event Leadership Institute has developed a new online certificate course in partnership with MPI to provide planners with strategies, tactics and resources to move forward with modified in-person events and meetings.
The first six-week Pandemic Meeting & Event Design Certificate course begins Sept. 1 and is eligible for 20 CMP hours. Curriculum is jointly designed by ELI’s and MPI’s education experts, experienced event and meeting practitioners and industry-leading instructors… more
Aug 11, 2020
In light of damage the pandemic has inflicted upon the foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association Show is working to help the industry recover through online resources and a 2021 in-person event that has already re-sold exhibit space to 75 percent of its 2020 exhibitors. Set for May 22-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the annual trade show and conference provides foodservice operators and suppliers access to new and innovative technologies, emerging food and beverage trends, unique ingredients, and partnership and networking opportunities.
“For the past 101 years, the National… more
Aug 07, 2020
Due to governmental prohibitions and restrictions on gatherings, businesses and travel, along with the mounting uncertainty that safe and productive events during a pandemic are even possible, four large trade shows – PACK EXPO, SEMA, AAPEX and FABTECH – will not take place as planned this fall. Two of the events have announced plans to launch digital replacements. Here are the details.
PACK EXPO
On Aug. 5, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies announced it will cancel the in-person PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, annual trade shows and conferences for… more
Aug 06, 2020
Feeling disheartened about the delayed return of face-to-face events? Findings of a new extensive global study focused on the recovery of the trade show industry should help spread some positive vibes about the value of shows when they do return. Conducted in July by live events research specialists Explori in partnership with UFI and SISO, the Global Recovery Insights study demonstrates the incredible value of face-to-face events by how strongly their absence has impacted the global business community.
Released on Aug. 3, the study comprises more than 9,000 survey responses from exhibiting… more
Aug 05, 2020
A new weekly peer-to-peer roundtable series for event professionals launches this week. Hosted by mdg, a Freeman Company, the “Leading Through Disruption” program focuses on helping event professionals manage change and gain the insights and connections needed to navigate the pandemic.
Each hour-long session, scheduled to run for six weeks starting Aug. 5, will have a theme introduced by thought leaders who then facilitate the discussion.
“We have leaders in strategy, design and data/research from Freeman and mdg who will be challenging participants to seize the opportunities associated… more
Jul 31, 2020
Printing and signage company Innovative Displays, a partner of Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio, is establishing a Personal Protective Equipment Resource Center within the venue featuring an online ordering portal and curbside order delivery. ID expanded its offerings to assist clients and the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Innovative Displays is not just our company name, it’s also the way we do business,” said said ID President Mike Foley. “Our unique ability allowed us to quickly pivot during the pandemic utilizing our existing design, engineering and manufacturing… more
Jul 30, 2020
Even though InfoComm 2020 in Las Vegas was cancelled due to COVID-19, that didn’t stop the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association from connecting the global professional audio-visual industry on a virtual stage.
Held June 16-18, InfoComm 2020 Connected – AVIXA’s first-ever completely virtual InfoComm trade show and conference – drew in 23,408 attendees (41 percent from outside the United States) and 495 exhibitors.
“When we made the decision to cancel the InfoComm 2020 show in Las Vegas, the AVIXA team was determined to gather the industry together for an immersive experience of… 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