International Association of Exhibitions and Events' Expo! Expo! Features Two-day Showfloor, Packed Schedule
December 2, 2013
When several thousand trade show organizers and suppliers gather this week in Houston for the Expo! Expo! International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, there not only will be a changed format to a two-day showfloor, but also plenty of networking and educational opportunities to keep everyone busy.
The multiday event kicks off with the CEM Program with the following subjects: Event Operations, Finance, Budgeting and Contracts, Security, Risk and Crisis Management, Selecting Service Contractors and Strategic Planning and Management.
The next day is filled with activities including several board meetings, as well as the Gift of Service that will benefit the Child Advocates, Inc. of Houston.
Child Advocates, Inc. mobilizes court appointed volunteers to break the vicious cycle of child abuse.
Volunteers will assist at the Santa’s Wishlist Warehouse where they will wrap toys, help organize toys in the Toy Drive area and assist other volunteers in loading their cars with the toys for the children on their cases.
You can sign up by registering for Expo! Expo! or by contacting Kimberly Castanuela, CEM, CMP at kcastanuela@iaee.com.
Also on Dec. 9, back by popular demand, is the IAEE Young Professionals and Krakoff Leadership Institute Alumni Party.
Tuesday marks a full day or exhibitor set up in the showfloor and, besides regular education sessions listed HERE, there also will be a special joint IAEE/SISO invitation-only program that will explore the issue of how social media and content can help or hurt an organizer and their shows.
That evening will be the opening celebration at Houston’s famed Discovery Green directly across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, where the exhibit floor and sessions will be held.
The next day is filled with even more educations sessions, such as “Content is King! 3 Ways Exhibition Organizers Can Leverage Content to Enhance Events”, “What Organizers Are Doing to Prepare for the Major Generational Shift in the Workforce of 2015” and “Launch Pad: New Events & Marketing Campaigns.”
The exhibit floor also will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at which there will be a plethora of CVBs, venues, technology products and other suppliers for the trade show industry.
That evening features the annual charity event, Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause, from founding sponsor Global Experience Specialists.
The final education day includes sessions such as “The Next Hot Market” and “The Positive Impacts of Collaboration: Partnering with Contractors & Show Management”.
During the lunch, recipients of the IAEE Awards, which recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry, will be honored. Click HERE for a full list of honorees.
"Recipients of the annual IAEE Awards personify the hard work and dedication that the exhibitions and events industry demands from each of us," said 2013 IAEE Awards Committee Chair Mary Bender.
Expo! Expo! will finish off with a closing party – Expociety – at Hilton Americas Houston.
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
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