Jun 28, 2023
Skilled trade unions are critical to the successful execution of meetings and trade shows at convention venues across the U.S. While working with organized labor such as teamsters, carpenters, electricians, stagehands and sound technicians at event venues can come with their fair share of complexities, these groups of skilled professionals can also serve as valuable partners in ensuring a successful event experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.
In its ongoing mission to be a leader in the meeting and convention venue space, Detroit’s Huntington Place has been busy launching proactive… more
Jun 19, 2023
International Market Centers (IMC) — the Blackstone company that owns and operates more than 20 million square feet of event and showroom space and produces live events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and New York City — has rebranded as ANDMORE as part of the company’s vision to transform into an omnichannel wholesale marketmaker.
With more than $991 billion of assets under management, Blackstone touts itself as the world’s largest alternative asset managers with 12,000 real estate assets and more than 230 portfolio companies, including Cvent, which was acquired for $4.6 billion in… more
May 25, 2023
In keeping with its progressive sustainability initiatives, the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) recently took a major step toward combatting large-scale event food waste and hunger in its local community.
Last month, the Overland Park, Kan.-based facility announced it had formed a partnership with Pete’s Garden, a food recovery organization based in Kansas City, Mo. that recovers surplus prepared foods from local caterers, restaurants and food service operations, then repackages and redirects the food as healthy take-home meals for families needing assistance in the greater Kansas… more
May 23, 2023
Las Vegas tourism and business leaders officially broke ground on a $600 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) on May 9. Work will continue through 2025, with construction designed to accommodate and minimize disruption to scheduled trade shows.
As part of the renovation project, a newly designed parking lot outside of the Central Hall will feature a Vegas Loop station to transport convention goers to and from Wynn and Encore Las Vegas when the completed project debuts in Spring 2024.
The renovation will extend the contemporary design, architecture and customer… more
Apr 21, 2023
Caesars Entertainment, long renowned for its celebrity chef establishments, has further elevated its Las Vegas dining scene with three delectable restaurants by Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsay and Chris Santos, all of which are available for group bookings.
The recently opened additions join an already impressive list of Caesars Entertainment dining options by top chefs and restaurateurs, including Dominique Ansel, Michael Chow, Giada de Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Buddy Valastro and Lisa Vanderpump.
The Bedford by Martha Stewart
Global lifestyle icon… more
Apr 18, 2023
ASM Global is upping the ante with its sustainability goals via an ambitious plan to convert its global event venues portfolio into the most sustainable on Earth. The global leader in venue and event strategy and management is in the process of launching this strategy through its corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, and in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consulting firm specializing in the hospitality, sport and event industries.
Beginning this year, ASM Global will dedicate its full resources to achieving measurable results throughout… more
Apr 04, 2023
ASM Global is upping the ante with its sustainability goals via an ambitious plan to convert its global event venues portfolio into the most sustainable on Earth. The global leader in venue and event strategy and management is in the process of launching this strategy through its corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, and in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consulting firm specializing in the hospitality, sport and event industries.
Beginning this year, ASM Global will dedicate its full resources to achieving measurable results throughout… more
Mar 17, 2023
Denver is readying for a future boost in meetings and conventions business, with vertical construction of the $233 million expansion of the Colorado Convention Center recently culminating in a commemorative “topping out” ceremony, as the project remains on schedule for a late 2023 opening.
“This is a welcome milestone in the progress of the expansion, which will assist us with booking multiple groups simultaneously to maximize capacity,” said Richard W. Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. “Ultimately, these improvements will pay huge dividends for years to come by generating new… more
Feb 28, 2023
For a large B2B trade show, there’s nothing better than starting off a new year with robust, record-breaking participation. Case in point: Dallas Market Center’s January Apparel & Accessories Market, the largest U.S. marketplace for women’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Held Jan. 10-13, the venue’s largest event in years enjoyed an overall attendance increase versus pre-pandemic shows and featured an expanded marketplace of approximately 750 exhibitors, including new permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors.
In addition to overall participation gains, the January show welcomed… more
Feb 17, 2023
Denver is readying for a future boost in meetings and conventions business, with vertical construction of the $233 million expansion of the Colorado Convention Center recently culminating in a commemorative “topping out” ceremony, as the project remains on schedule for a late 2023 opening.
“This is a welcome milestone in the progress of the expansion, which will assist us with booking multiple groups simultaneously to maximize capacity,” said Richard W. Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. “Ultimately, these improvements will pay huge dividends for years to come by generating new… 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