Apr 12, 2016
Chicago’s newest neighborhood, McCormick Square, has been unveiled by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
In her remarks at a luncheon held to present the new destination, MPEA CEO Lori Healey, detailed the current developments underway at McCormick Square.
“The addition of the Event Center and the Marriott Marquis Chicago, coupled with the Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place, and the exciting tourist attractions planned nearby, McCormick Square is becoming a destination rather than just a building,” Healey said.
These enhancements continue to build upon the current offerings on campus… more
Mar 24, 2016
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list had a record number of submissions this year and represents the top 250 trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage.
The full, searchable list, sponsored this year exclusively by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center, can be found HERE.
The Consumer Technology Association’s CES 2015 show snagged the No. 1 spot and spanned more than 2.2 million net square feet at the… more
Mar 22, 2016
UBM Game Network's 2016 Game Developers Conference, an event serving professionals dedicated to the art and science of making games, has set a record for event attendance, with more than 27,000 game industry professionals at last week's conference in San Francisco's Moscone Center.
This year, UBM Game Network also debuted the 2016 Virtual Reality Developers Conference, an event focused on the creation of new video games, entertainment and technology around virtual and augmented reality, which was held alongside GDC.
GDC 2016 marked the 30th edition of the event, and to… more
Feb 17, 2016
At last year’s AAPEX, a show for the aftermarket auto parts industry that is held in November at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, decided to up their attendee engagement game by hiring a bevy of customer service staff members they called “Ask Joes” to help people out at the show.
The “Ask Joes” auditioned for their roles to demonstrate their ability to meet and greet attendees with enthusiasm, according to show management, and then they also received comprehensive training and were stationed at custom-designed Ask Joe Service Stations throughout the showfloor.
As a result of this effort and other… more
Feb 10, 2016
With the North American International Auto Show officially wrapping up at Detroit’s Cobo Center recently, this marks the end of a $279 million, five-year transformation at the venue.
Highlights of the project includes adaptive reuse design of the old arena that incorporates 45,000 square feet of outdoor flex space, which includes a large terrace now called Cobo Square.
Starting this spring, the terrace will be used for programming that includes art fairs, exercise and yoga, biergartens and other elements designed to connect Cobo Center to the community and the downtown Detroit culture.
It… more
Feb 03, 2016
Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts broke ground on its 30-story, 853,000-square-foot hotel and luxury apartment complex today in downtown Louisville adjacent to the Kentucky International Convention Center.
“The Omni is a game-changer for Louisville’s hospitality industry increasing our convention business potential in a competitive marketplace. Louisville currently hosts 12.7 million visitors each year,” said Karen Williams, president and CEO of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
He added, “A hotel project of this scope will help support further tourism growth.”
The Omni… more
Jan 31, 2016
Each year, Trade Show News Network compiles a list of the Top 250 Trade Shows ranked by net square footage in the United States and Top 50 trade shows ranked by net sq. footage in Canada.
Submissions to be included on the 2015 lists are now open, and the shows must have occurred in 2015. Shows that are over 40,000 net sq. ft. have an opportunity to make the list. The form to fill out is HERE, and the deadline is Feb. 15.
TSNN is proud to present valuable data to the industry, which is based on in-depth information provided by show organizers about their events.
The Association of Equipment… more
Jan 30, 2016
San Antonio unveiled the $325 million Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center expansion, which marks the largest capital improvement project in the City of San Antonio’s history and increases the footprint to 1.6 million square feet.
Festivities were celebrated with the unveiling of “Liquid Crystal,” a public art installation by artist Jason Bruges that is located in the center’s expansive new lobby atrium.
Its 3,510 LCD interactive panels create a digital fountain effect where the flow depends upon the amount of people and activity filling the atrium. It is one of three new art installations in… more
Jan 28, 2016
This year kicked off right with the LA Fit Expo, where nearly 60,000 expected attendees were on hand to share their love of fitness and health.
The conference and exhibition was held Jan. 23-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. With so much going on at the show, it was hard to know where to go first. And, with the two-day format, attendees packed the floor to get in as much as possible.
The showfloor had exhibitors, martial arts demonstrations and competition, group fitness classes, attendee competitions, such as body building and exercise, and the Healthy Eating Pavilion,… more
Jan 11, 2016
CES 2016 broke its own record from last year with 2.47 million net sq. ft. showfloor, up from 2.2 million last year, taking over the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo & Convention Center and the Venetian, as well as the Wynn, Aria, Vdara and Cosmopolitan.
Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (formerly the Consumer Electronics Association), the world’s largest technology show took place Jan. 6–9.
For the first time, attendance was capped at 176,000 to help with logistics and actual attendance exceeded 170,000.
Commenting on the move to cap, Karen Chupka,… 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