May 13, 2013
International attendees often have a unique set of requirements as well as expectations from your event. Here are some tips to facilitate successful participation from your global audience:
Multi-lingual Web site
If a significant volume of web traffic is expected to come from non-English speaking countries, consider building dedicated web pages with key information in the language or languages popular with this audience. Another option could be to plug in a tool like Google Translate to automatically detect the default language for a user's operating system and translate the content… more
May 05, 2013
Imagine going to a trade show and instead of lugging around an often bulky exhibitor’s guide all day, you could walk up to a kiosk with a touchscreen, search for exhibitor’s digital brochures you are interested in and have them instantly emailed to your inbox.
That’s exactly what U.K.-based ecoXpress has started offering at events, which also has had a substantial impact on the amount of paper saved onsite.
The system – used at exhibitions by leading brands such as GSK, GE and Honeywell - not only saves money (and trees) through the reduction of printing and… more
May 05, 2013
Imagine going to a trade show and instead of lugging around an often bulky exhibitor’s guide all day, you could walk up to a kiosk with a touchscreen, search for exhibitor’s digital brochures you are interested in and have them instantly emailed to your inbox.
That’s exactly what U.K.-based ecoXpress has started offering at events, which also has had a substantial impact on the amount of paper saved onsite.
The system – used at exhibitions by leading brands such as GSK, GE and Honeywell - not only saves money (and trees) through the reduction of printing and… more
May 01, 2013
Released last month, the Digital Event Benchmark Report, conducted by Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) and commissioned by Freeman, gives insight into how some organizations are using online events to reach their audiences.
The study included a cross-section of the event industry with representation from associations, corporate event planners, trade show organizers, conference producers and agencies, with more than 200 survey participants.
Just under 80 percent of survey participants produce physical events, with 70 percent of those respondents also producing online events. More than half of… more
May 01, 2013
Released last month, the Digital Event Benchmark Report, conducted by Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) and commissioned by Freeman, gives insight into how some organizations are using online events to reach their audiences.
The study included a cross-section of the event industry with representation from associations, corporate event planners, trade show organizers, conference producers and agencies, with more than 200 survey participants.
Just under 80 percent of survey participants produce physical events, with 70 percent of those respondents also producing online events. More than half of… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO.
When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search.
It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO.
When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search.
It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… more
Apr 24, 2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held March 3-7 in New Orleans, show organizers used several high-tech tools that allowed their onsite space draw to not only book more space, but also be a more efficient process.
Using iPads for the first time at the front door as people checked in was just one way things went much smoother this year, according to Elli Riley, HIMSS director of exhibits and meeting services.
Once exhibitors were in the room, they were directed to a table where, based on a point system, they were able to… more
Apr 24, 2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held March 3-7 in New Orleans, show organizers used several high-tech tools that allowed their onsite space draw to not only book more space, but also be a more efficient process.
Using iPads for the first time at the front door as people checked in was just one way things went much smoother this year, according to Elli Riley, HIMSS director of exhibits and meeting services.
Once exhibitors were in the room, they were directed to a table where, based on a point system, they were able to… more
Apr 14, 2013
When the Social Media Tourism Symposium (SoMeT13US) had to choose a host city for their annual summit, they practiced what they preached and let their community decide via Facebook voting.
Voting began in March with eight cities competing in a bracket-style contest on Facebook using the Woobox voting app. The winner of each round would advance until finally, on April 2nd, the final round of voting took place.
While it’s certainly an interesting and social way of selecting a host city, it’s benefits go beyond entertainment. David Serino, founder of SoMeT, explained that the voting… 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