News
Oct 07, 2019
A sunny late-autumn morning in St. Louis started with a convenient and delicious morning meal of grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches (complemented by Starbucks coffee and cans of Mountain Dew). The room was energetic and filled with conversation before the group of about 300 migrated into the main ballroom to kick off the 2019 Ungerboeck UNITE Conference, which ran Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Marriott St. Louis Grand.
Emcee Justin Ungerboeck, market communications manager for Ungerboeck Software International — a world leader in event management software — came on stage to set the tone for the day,… more
Oct 04, 2019
Seattle played home to a major event for United States tourism last month. The 13th annual U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit took place at Hyatt Regency Seattle, Sept. 18-20, with the goal of building and strengthening relationships between U.S. and Chinese travel and tourism leaders and government officials. During the three-day show, participants focused on the contribution of the industry to the world’s two largest economies.
Notable attendees this year included Washington Governor Jay Inslee; former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Ambassador to China and Washington Governor Gary Locke; U.… more
Oct 03, 2019
Voice-operated technology is at its flash point. Innovations in smartphones, networked home devices, and voice recognition enable futuristic applications such as voice-operated Google search, and personal assistant software including Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri.
Google is one key beneficiary and driver of voice tech: Voice searches account for 20 percent of queries on Google mobile app and Android devices, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s Google I/O keynote in 2016 — and that volume continues to grow.
More recent data from Statista Digital Market Outlook shows approximately 260… more
Oct 03, 2019
Tarsus Group has added Tarsus Egypt to its global network – the group’s newest division has been formed as a joint-venture partnership with Amr Shawki, a leading figure in the Egyptian exhibition industry and Chairman of local organiser, Egytec.
Tarsus Egypt will create a new B2B events platform for local and international customers to build valuable partnerships in the dynamic Egyptian and North African markets.
“Egypt has a population of 105 million and the fastest economic growth of all African countries,” said Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie.
He added, “Its geographic, political and… more
Oct 02, 2019
Freeman, a provider of live events and brand experiences, has acquired Convention Data Services (CDS), an event registration, business intelligence and lead management company.
Combined with its acquisition of Info Salons in 2018, Freeman significantly has added to its global event registration and digital services offerings.
“Show organizers are asking for simple, unified and effective ways to create a better experience for their teams and attendees around the world,” said Bob Priest-Heck, CEO of Freeman.
He added, “The addition of CDS to Freeman’s suite of digital tools and services… more
Oct 02, 2019
If you’re well-versed with sustainable trade shows, you’ve heard of Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. As the world’s largest sustainable event for the green building industry, the 17-year-old trade show and conference has become one of the most pace-setting events in the sustainable show universe. Behind the curtain is a team of passionate individuals building upon the show’s sustainability prowess, including Senior Show Manager Rachel Motekaitis, who has been with the show since 2013. TSNN sat down with her to learn how Greenbuild works, as well as what’s in store for its 2019… more
Oct 01, 2019
Venue management companies AEG Facilities and SMG have completed their merger to create ASM Global, a new, stand-alone global facility management and venue services company that now operates more than 300 arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performing arts centers across five continents.
The completion of this transaction comes eight months after the companies announced the proposed merger. Onex, of which SMG is a portfolio company, and AEG’s subsidiary are now equal co-owners of ASM, according to ASM officials.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, with key operations based in the… more
Sep 30, 2019
A conference with several thousand people sounds like an unlikely place to zen out. Yet the organizers of IMEX America and one major hotel company, understanding the immense benefits of meditation, helped conference goers do exactly that at this year’s event, held Sept. 10-12 in Las Vegas.
The IMEX Be Well Lounge
The event organizers behind IMEX America chose Las Vegas-based Lee Papa as the wellness expert to lead the mindfulness exercises inside its Be Well Lounge. Throughout four days (including Smart Monday), she led 25 guided meditations, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes each. It was a… more
Sep 27, 2019
While things are starting to cool off in some areas of North America, that doesn’t seem to be the case with the trade show industry. This fall is a busy one — check out all these trade show and event service providers forging new deals and renewing existing partnerships.
NTP Events
The Air Force Association has extended its contract with NTP Events through 2021. Under the terms of the deal, NTP will manage booth sales, exhibitor marketing and exhibitor operations for the association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, known as a leading event for defense and aerospace professionals.
“We’… more
Sep 27, 2019
Technology, diversity, the economy and customer expectations (among other factors) are pushing members of the trade show industry to be more proficient, creative and open-minded than in the past.
Join our next #Expochat on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. ET, when moderator Michelle Bruno will help us explore what workers in the exhibition industry need to know and how the industry can build a future-proof workforce.
Here are some questions we’ll be addressing:
1. What are the biggest issues impacting exhibition industry workers today?
2. What do exhibition workers need to know today… 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