Jul 11, 2019
Seattle is in the midst of a growth spurt. Population-wise, the city has made the top five fastest-growing U.S. cities list for the past several years. In the past two years, eight new hotels have added 2,200 rooms to the city’s downtown area alone, according to Visit Seattle. And the Washington State Convention Center’s expansion will continue to fuel the city’s growth, opening up opportunities for mid-size conventions that are too large for the existing space.
Workers broke ground on WSCC’s new multi-level convention building, The Summit, in August 2018. It’s expected to be completed by… more
Jul 11, 2019
While some industries tend to slow down in the summer, apparently the trade show industry hasn’t gotten the memo. A host of event organizers, vendors and venues have been busily forming new business partnerships and extending existing ones. Here are a few highlights:
U.S. B2B trade show operator Emerald Expositions has signed a deal with event research firm Explori to join the Explori research platform, which allows global event organizers, agencies and marketers to capture event audience feedback from any market in any language.
“Explori works with over 2,700 trade, consumer and corporate… more
Jul 08, 2019
Leave it to Las Vegas to introduce a fun new transportation option for groups. For many of us who live in metro areas, taking Uber or Lyft has become a weekly or even daily occurrence—so why not shake things up when you’re traveling for a conference?
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada has launched a new convenient rideshare option for groups of up to 11 riders arriving in the city for meetings and conventions.
Free from surge pricing (we’re looking at you, Uber) and with a limousine-like interior, the aptly named Trip to Strip is an on-demand rideshare service… more
Jul 02, 2019
As event destinations search for more recession-proof market segments to generate strong economic impact for their communities, the convention industry is taking a serious look at the rapidly growing world of esports, aka competitive video gaming.
This year alone, the global esports industry is set to surpass the $1 billion mark, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. And with many association and corporate events continuing to grapple with flat budgets and shrinking attendance, an exploding industry such as esports, with its broad appeal and growing fan base, has become all the more… more
Jul 02, 2019
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), The International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), and The International Congress and Convention Association will collaborate more closely in the future to generate better benefits for their respective members, as well as the international meetings industry.
“With our Global Alliance, the three of us choose value for our members [and] choose collaboration over competition,” said Craig Newman, president of UFI.
The global alliance effort among the three associations was announced last week.
“We are all organizations with a… more
Jun 27, 2019
The second in the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s “Head of Marketing Insights” series, “Aligning Exhibit Sales for Success” takes a close look at the B2B exhibitor’s decision-making process, pinpointing the areas where marketing leaders see the most value in these exhibitions.
The report, which is based on survey data from marketing executives at North American organizations that use exhibiting as channel in their marketing mix, examines how brand marketers build an exhibit program. It also offers suggestions on how show organizers can position sales efforts to align with these… more
Jun 24, 2019
Eldorado Resorts agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $8.58 billion, creating a mega-casino company in the U.S.
The combined company will provide its guests with access to approximately 60 domestic casino–resorts and gaming facilities across 16 states.
“Eldorado’s combination with Caesars will create the largest owner and operator of U.S. gaming assets and is a strategically, financially and operationally compelling opportunity that brings immediate and long-term value to stakeholders of both companies,” said El Dorado CEO Tom Reeg.
He added, “… more
Jun 24, 2019
Hannover Fairs USA and IBTM will each launch a new show in 2020.
The U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche Messe in Germany, Hannover Fairs USA, will debut Interschutz USA next year. Interschutz, currently the world’s largest trade show for fire and rescue services, takes place every five years in Germany. It will be complemented by Interschutz USA, set for Oct. 13-17, 2020 at Pennsylvania Convention Center in Pennsylvania.
This new show will provide a global view of firefighting equipment and tactics, and demonstrate safety techniques that reflect the current and future strategies of U.S.… more
Jun 20, 2019
Know an incredible show manager? Now’s the time to nominate him or her for The Expo Group’s annual Show Manager of the Year awards, also known as SMOTY.
These awards are independent of any industry associations and meant to honor the hardworking professionals behind events and trade shows.
“This program is a way for us to give back to our profession by drawing attention to the people who impress everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said Randy Pekowski, president and COO of The Expo Group, which is headquartered outside of Dallas.
This year’s SMOTY trophies will be… more
Jun 20, 2019
From the latest healthy snacks to new car wash technologies and trends in tile, May was a busy month for trade shows and associations. Here’s a recap of five that posted great numbers last month.
National Restaurant Association Show
The centennial year of National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, one of the most anticipated events in the foodservice industry, was one to remember — not least for the 23-foot-tall, 1,200-pound birthday cheesecake in the middle of the show.
The event drew more than 42,557 attendees to Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 18-21, including… 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