Tech News

Mar 14, 2019
On March 12, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) board of directors agreed to move forward with an upgrade and expansion of Cox Business’ wireless and wireline services at Las Vegas Convention Center. The renewed agreement includes a high-density network upgrade to the Wi-Fi installation in the existing convention space with new access points that power the latest 802.11ax standard. The three-year, multi-million-dollar renewed agreement also includes the design and management of a comprehensive Wi-Fi and distributed antenna system at LVCC’s $935.1 million, 1.4 million-… more
Mar 12, 2019
San Diego Convention Center is modernizing its approach to event signage solutions by selecting Digital Conventions as its official in-house digital signage service provider.  Expected to be up and running by this summer, SDCC’s new digital signage program will allow event organizers, advertisers and sponsors to have a turn-key approach to high-definition video advertising, wayfinding and announcements, according to convention center officials. The new partnership is just one more way the facility is working to improve the customer and guest experience, said Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe,… more
Mar 07, 2019
If you could create the perfect event tech platform that would solve all of your event-related issues while helping you to achieve your ultimate trade show goals, what would that technology look like? We posed this question to three seasoned trade show professionals and here’s what they had to say. Jenn Ellek, Senior Director of Marketing, Taffy Event Strategies Since I am a marketer at heart and a data-follower by design, I’m always looking for ways to customize and personalize a prospect’s journey of engagement and their ultimate conversion to an event attendee. With unlimited resources (… more
Mar 05, 2019
In a move demonstrating its increasing interest in business travel, Airbnb has acquired Gaest.com—proving the duo is a match made in heaven just in time for Valentine’s Day. Gaest.com, an online marketplace designed to help meeting and event planners find inspiring spaces for short-term rentals (hours or days), was founded in 2015 in Denmark. It now operates across six continents on a platform similar to that of Airbnb, where hosts can list their spaces and also provide other add-ons to enhance the experience. As the demand for more creative, flexible meeting spaces continues to rise,… more
Mar 01, 2019
With sharing economies transforming how people travel, commute, work, read and listen, it makes sense that this trend is spilling over into trade show exhibiting. Enter Exhibitshub, an exhibit sharing marketplace launched earlier this week at ExhibitorLive. Inspired by companies like Airbnb, Uber and Lyft, Exhibitshub has aggregated an extensive collection of custom exhibits in key convention cities that can be reserved, booked and rebranded online. Using this new platform, exhibitors simply search exhibits by city, type, size, design and budget; select booth options that meet their… more
Feb 26, 2019
In response to the increasing digitization of the retail sector, Messe Frankfurt has joined forces with nmedia, an electronic data interchange company, to develop nextrade. Set to launch in the second half of this year, this new platform is a digital B2B marketplace for suppliers and retailers in the home and living consumer goods industry. Along with placing orders at trade shows in the traditional way, retailers will be able to use this new online platform year-round for ordering products and product lines from their supplier partners. “Nextrade will be open to all suppliers and… more
Feb 21, 2019
This month, we’re recapping the latest tech news you need to know in an easily digestible format. Have news to share with us for March? Drop me a line at kogletree@tsnn.com. Who can say no to faster, more reliable Wi-Fi? Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center Dallas got a wireless upgrade this year thanks to Smart City Networks, which installed a new distributed antenna system (DAS) to expand the cellular service coverage and capacity at the facility. “This new system is going to make a noticeable difference for everyone who attends an event [at KBHCCD],” said Mark Haley, President of… more
Feb 19, 2019
As concerns over data security and privacy issues continue to grow, Zuant, a provider of mobile lead capture cloud solutions, has been busy creating new platforms designed to help event organizers comply with mobile customer contact data compliance. Launched late last month after two years of development, Zuant Vault is a cloud-based administrator management system that guarantees GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance by ensuring companies market only to those who have granted permission. GDPR legislation, which went into effect May 25 of last year and applies to any… more
Feb 14, 2019
While innovations in exhibit design and technology continue to drive the trade show industry’s evolution, the development of lead capture and post-show strategy can be overlooked. To remedy that, Gateway, a St. Louis-based exhibitor services company, is now offering a next-generation digital lead capture system designed to help exhibiting companies improve their show metrics. Launched last month, LeadConnectis an interactive platform integrating lead capture, qualifying surveys and digital collateral on a custom-branded device. The system gathers data instantly and syncs with most CRM or… more
Feb 12, 2019
As technology continues to become an essential part of the trade show ecosystem, some show organizers are creating dedicated showfloor spaces for tech innovations that make sense for the industries their shows represent.  Case in point: PROCESS EXPO, which will unveil its Augmented Reality Showcase as one of its new showfloor activities, Oct. 8-11 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Organized by Harvin AR, the AR Showcase will provide attendees with new ways to experience processing and packaging equipment through AR holograms and guided AR training simulations by participating exhibitors. The… 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