New Business Contracts: SMG, Eventsphere, Convention Data Services Ink Deals
April 13, 2017
The trade show industry continues to be alive and well, with several suppliers inking new deals with to manage venues, oversee housing and take care of registration.
Aberdeen City Council has named SMG to manage the existing AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Scotland) ahead of a move to its newly built home near Aberdeen International Airport in 2019.
The partnership follows last year’s announcement that SMG was awarded preferred bidder status to manage, operate and program the new $416 million complex.
The new state-of-the art venue will include a 12,500 seat arena with a moveable stage, hospitality boxes and club lounge, 538,000 sq. ft of flexible exhibition space, conference centre, three hotels and its very own energy centre.
“SMG is exceedingly pleased to have been named to manage this prestigious facility,” said SMG president and CEO Wes Westley. “It is a terrific addition to our growing network of international facilities. We look forward to working with the Council and the Community for the success of these facilities.”
Outdoor Retailer is partnering with EventSphere to handle hotel reservations for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and beyond.
Outdoor Retailer incorporated industry feedback to ensure that exhibitors, retailers, independent reps and working media experience an easy process for securing accommodations.
EventSphere will be in place when housing officially opens this week for retailers, reps and media. Exhibitor housing opens the end of April.
“Our first priority is to listen to the industry and make positive changes to the show format and supporting services to ensure Outdoor Retailer remains the optimal venue to conduct business,” shared Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer Show Director.
She added, “EventSphere’s integrated software provides a seamless experience that is easy to use, enabling attendees to find accommodations within the existing housing block. They are one hundred percent committed to supporting our needs.”
IEEE PES Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition has renewed their contract through the year 2020 with Convention Data Services (CDS), their registration partner for full registration and lead management services.
The IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition is the largest and most progressive conference and exposition in the electric power industry.
Thousands of professionals from more than 80 countries attend to create an unprecedented opportunity for networking, learning about emerging technologies and furthering their advanced professional education.
"The entire CDS team has been a pleasure to work with and continually exceeded our expectations on this last show! Their professionalism, attention to detail and proactive approach are examples of their excellence and why we happily chose to extend our partnership," said Gail Sparks-Riegel, Registration Chair.
“Our CDS team is pleased to continue our partnership with the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition,” said David Lawton, executive vice president of Sales, Convention Data Services.
He added, “We are committed to providing the event with hands-on customer service and new ideas and tools to further their event goals. Our focus is to help create an enhanced overall experience for their exhibitors and attendees through a streamlined registration process, onsite service and comprehensive support from our experienced event team.”
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
Add new comment