Aug 08, 2022
New York’s Javits Center is sharing its bounty of vegetables from its new one-acre rooftop farm through the creation of Jacob’s Harvest, a new line of pickled produce. The bottled veggies will be distributed to customers and visitors to raise awareness about the venue’s roof-to-table culinary program, which incorporates various crops being grown on the farm into customized meals served during events on-site.
According to Javits Center officials, the new produce line marks the facility’s latest element of its ambitious and progressive sustainability program that includes New York State’s… more
Jul 28, 2022
Puerto Rico is no stranger to crises, having faced and overcome major challenges such as the Zika virus outbreak and Hurricane Irma over the past several years. COVID-19 has been no exception, with the destination showing its profound resiliency as it emerges from the pandemic.
Brad Dean, president and CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, recently highlighted some of the promising numbers along with a newly launched branding initiative for event attendees and venue developments.
“Rebuilding has been vitally important over the past four years and to position Puerto Rico to not just come back but to… more
Jul 14, 2022
Convention delegates staying at Resorts World Las Vegas now have a faster, greener and more convenient way to get to and from meetings and trade shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Unveiled June 30, the new Las Vegas Convention Center Loop passenger station, located beneath the resort, provides direct underground access to the LVCC’s West station in just minutes via all-electric Tesla Model X and Model Y vehicles traveling at 35-40 miles per hour.
Created by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, the Resorts World station is the fourth to be added to the LVCC Loop, an all-… more
Jul 05, 2022
If thoughts of Pittsburgh still evoke visions of a gritty, industrial steel town, then it’s time to pay a visit and have your misconceptions changed! Within the last several decades, this revitalized metropolis has undergone a dramatic transformation that has made it one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly places in the nation.
Named one of the most livable cities in the U.S. as well as a top 10 U.S. cities for green-certified building spaces, Pittsburgh is not only a friendly destination boasting a beautiful skyline, sparkling rivers, stunning architecture and a bustling arts,… more
Jun 30, 2022
As trade shows and conferences continue their steady return to face-to-face, convention centers are happily welcoming back event participants. However, for the events industry and the myriad venues that support it, the post-pandemic era hasn’t turned out to be synonymous with a return to business as usual. Attendee priorities have changed, and it’s not just show organizers who are having to work harder than ever to lure audiences back to their events, venues are also having to adapt, working harder and faster to meet ever-changing needs in order to fill their exhibit halls and meeting rooms… more
Jun 29, 2022
The Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority’s bid process for possible new venue management for Chicago’s McCormick Place, which it oversees, has triggered red flags in the trade show industry after it was rumored a management company that also manages and runs its own shows, as well as offers general service contracting, possibly was being considered.
The venue management contract currently is held by ASM Global and was initially due to expire June 30, 2022, but has been extended through January 31, 2023, as MPEA continues to go through the bid process.
David Audrain, CEO of The… more
Jun 23, 2022
Three is not a crowd when it comes to the leadership team at Huntington Place. While female executives and general managers are becoming more and more common at convention centers across North America, few U.S. facilities can claim an all-female leadership team made up of three dynamic industry veterans: Lisa Canada, chairwoman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and the DRCFA Arts Committee; Karen Totaro, general manager; and Becky Bixby, assistant general manager. Bringing decades of experience to their roles, the powerful trio has made Detroit’s downtown… more
Jun 20, 2022
Two new wild bird species were recently identified at the Javits Center’s nearly seven-acre green roof, which has evolved into a unique wildlife sanctuary since its genesis in 2014. The new birds, discovered this spring by New York City Audubon Society, Killdeer and Ovenbird, now join 35 other local and migratory bird species, five bat species and thousands of insects, including 300,000 honeybees that regularly visit or inhabit the rooftop sanctuary on Manhattan’s West Side.
Led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation (NYCCDC), the construction of the 6.75-acre green roof,… more
Jun 13, 2022
In celebration of the event industry’s revival and promising post-pandemic future, the recent Connect Spring Marketplace provided meeting and event planners with a plethora of business development opportunities, top-notch education and stand-out meetings and event offerings, highlighted by the vibrant island culture of its host destination, Puerto Rico.
Held May 22-24 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) in San Juan, the annual conference and trade show attracted more than 1,700 event professionals. Highlights included a trade show with 30 exhibitors, one-on-one appointments and… more
Jun 09, 2022
Accessing their favorite food and beverage cravings while at a trade show or business conference is about to get a lot easier for many event attendees. Leading venue management company and live event experience producer ASM Global has launched a long-term partnership with on-demand food delivery service DoorDash to deploy industry-leading mobile technology dining solutions at ASM Global venues nationwide.
As ASM Global’s official “On-Demand Delivery Platform” partner, DoorDash will be launching its services at ASM Global’s top North American convention centers, arenas, stadiums and theaters… 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