News
Oct 19, 2020
While we at TSNN have been working hard to provide a balanced view of how the trade show industry has been faring during COVID-19 — highlighting the positive alongside the negative news — we also believe that much can be learned from our industry leaders during this challenging time. That’s why we’ve launched “Straight Talk,” a new interview series that will explore both the business and human side of the pandemic through the experiences and guidance of event industry executives.
Like most exhibition industry professionals these days, Yancy Weinrich has been doing her best to adjust and… more
Oct 14, 2020
In a rather bold move amidst a tumultuous year for the tourism industry, Visit Spokane has unveiled a restructuring of its business model that will lead to a short-term reduction in revenue but ultimately open up other avenues of funding and allow the organization to live more fully into its mission of marketing the whole region.
“We found our old model to be antiquated and restrictive,” says Meg Winchester, president and CEO of Visit Spokane. “The hope is that by restructuring the way we do business we will create better partnerships with Spokane’s hospitality community, which will make… more
Oct 14, 2020
While the live U.S. trade show industry remains on pause, some event producers are doing what they can to support the challenged industries their shows represent by becoming community resources in the virtual space. Case in point: Questex, which has created online programming for its Nightclub & Bar Show and VIBE Conference audiences via Evolve, a free, six-month-long virtual event and engagement series designed to help restaurant and bar owners, operators, investors and suppliers achieve success into 2021 and beyond.
Geared to help exhibitors, sponsors and suppliers reconnect until the… more
Oct 13, 2020
Tarsus Group made two recent acquisitions – the remaining 50 percent of China-based Hubei Tarsus Hope’s portfolio of medical events it was in a joint venture on and buying the entirety of the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology (MOPD) event.
Hubei Hope Exhibition was the first acquisition made in 2008 by Tarsus in China as a 50/50 joint venture that included several B2B exhibitions - Chengdu Dental Show and the biannual Zhengzhou Medical and Dental Show - across the fast-growing regions of Central and Western China.
“China is one of the world’s largest exhibition markets and is of great… more
Oct 13, 2020
The home of the Packers will also be home to an expansive new event venue by January 2021. Resch Expo, a 125,000-square-foot, column-free exposition center, is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, adjacent Lambeau Field in the city’s entertainment district. Together with the existing Resch Center — which opened in 2002 and hosts events from concerts to trade shows — it will make up the new Resch Complex.
More than 700 hotel rooms and a dozen restaurants are within easy walking distance of the complex, complementing the city’s more than 4,500 total hotel rooms.
Design of the non-union Resch Expo… more
Oct 12, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and SISO, the Society for Independent Show Organizers, are calling on global policymakers and governments to follow a “testing before quarantine” approach for business-related travel and activities. This approach, both organizations say — which would include activating the potentials of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests — would enable businesses to move forward out of a severe global recession.
A statement signed by UFI President Mary Larkin (president of Diversified Communications, USA) and SISO Chair Doug Emslie (group chief executive,… more
Oct 09, 2020
A new commercial and architectural lighting trade show and conference will launch at Dallas Market Center in fall 2021. Designed for lighting designers and specifiers, interior designers and architects, the inaugural ArchLIGHT Summit will take place Sept. 21-22 at Dallas Trade Mart. This on-campus venue is already home to the permanent marketplace for the semi-annual Lightovation, the largest residential lighting show in North America, scheduled to run Jan. 7-10, 2021.
“Listening to thought leaders for design and the built environment, we recognized that there is an opportunity to fill a… more
Oct 08, 2020
From appointments to awards to new hires and promotions, this fall is keeping us on our toes for people announcements. Take a look:
Meetings Mean Business Coalition unanimously selected Michael Massari, chief sales officer for Caesars Entertainment, as its next co-chair in September. Effective January 2021, he will join Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, in guiding the coalition and the meetings industry through the continued recovery from the pandemic.
PCMA has appointed Bruce MacMillan to the position of chief operating officer, effective Sept. 2. He was previously the… more
Oct 07, 2020
Originally scheduled for May 27 and postponed due to the pandemic, Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) will now be held Nov. 18 as a retooled virtual experience.
To aid in transitioning the annual information-sharing and networking event for independent organizers and leaders of associations, Sam Lippman, ECEF producer and president of Lippman Connects, has partnered with Freeman. As part of the partnership, Freeman will provide the virtual event platform and serve as the exclusive gold sponsor.
“I have watched the Freeman team strengthen their capabilities in strategy,… more
Oct 07, 2020
NürnbergMesse Group, one of the world’s 15 largest trade fair companies based in Nürnberg, Germany, launched a new class last month as part of its ongoing annual training program for aspiring young exhibition industry professionals. Ten trainees and five students began training programs or dual-track study curricula in September at NürnbergMesse and the Ravensburg University of Cooperative Education in Ravensburg, respectively.
This year’s class includes eight event management assistant trainees, one marketing communications trainee and one digitalization management trainee, who are joined… 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