News
Jul 11, 2019
Seattle is in the midst of a growth spurt. Population-wise, the city has made the top five fastest-growing U.S. cities list for the past several years. In the past two years, eight new hotels have added 2,200 rooms to the city’s downtown area alone, according to Visit Seattle. And the Washington State Convention Center’s expansion will continue to fuel the city’s growth, opening up opportunities for mid-size conventions that are too large for the existing space.
Workers broke ground on WSCC’s new multi-level convention building, The Summit, in August 2018. It’s expected to be completed by… more
Jul 11, 2019
While some industries tend to slow down in the summer, apparently the trade show industry hasn’t gotten the memo. A host of event organizers, vendors and venues have been busily forming new business partnerships and extending existing ones. Here are a few highlights:
U.S. B2B trade show operator Emerald Expositions has signed a deal with event research firm Explori to join the Explori research platform, which allows global event organizers, agencies and marketers to capture event audience feedback from any market in any language.
“Explori works with over 2,700 trade, consumer and corporate… more
Jul 10, 2019
Taking strides to make a positive difference in the world is becoming more and more common in the events industry now, with many venues, organizations and companies joining forces with national charitable efforts or creating their own CSR initiatives to help foster a more compassionate and inclusive society. Here are a few examples to be inspired by!
Javits Center Lights Up with Pride
New York City’s Javits Center recently celebrated its support for the LGBTQ+ community by participating in an inaugural five-borough rainbow lighting celebration to honor the queer community and the first… more
Jul 10, 2019
Event professionals are always on the go, and sometimes it can be challenging to keep up with industry news. While we are obviously in favor of news articles, it’s nice to have options. And for those times you’re on a plane, in a car, taking a walk or just needing a break from the computer screen, listening to a podcast can be a great way to learn.
Paris-based event app and matchmaking platform provider Swapcard is betting that there is a large audience of event professionals out there who would agree.
As the boundaries between business and consumer marketing continue to blur, podcasts… more
Jul 09, 2019
We’ve reported a lot recently on green convention centers, from LEED status to sustainability efforts in 2019. However, let’s not forget hotels, which are also doing their part to make meetings and conferences more eco-friendly. Take a look at some of the latest initiatives from hotels across North America and beyond.
The Setai, Miami Beach in Florida has partnered with Danish water company Iskilde to introduce completely compostable plant-based water bottles for guests. The hotel is the first in the U.S. to pioneer this product.
Demonstrating its commitment to protecting the natural… more
Jul 08, 2019
Nearly every organizer sends a post-event survey to its attendees and exhibitors. We want to capture their feelings about the event, but struggle to collect meaningful data and encourage survey completion. One of the most common mistakes is to request feedback on event details and logistics such as food, room temperatures, room block choices and more.
While this information can be insightful for the committee and your venue partners, the strategic value in planning for next year is minimal. Does the dislike of the crudité at the opening reception indicate overall satisfaction and desire to… more
Jul 08, 2019
Leave it to Las Vegas to introduce a fun new transportation option for groups. For many of us who live in metro areas, taking Uber or Lyft has become a weekly or even daily occurrence—so why not shake things up when you’re traveling for a conference?
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada has launched a new convenient rideshare option for groups of up to 11 riders arriving in the city for meetings and conventions.
Free from surge pricing (we’re looking at you, Uber) and with a limousine-like interior, the aptly named Trip to Strip is an on-demand rideshare service… more
Jul 03, 2019
You could say Amy Calvert began her new role as CEO of Events Industry Council by jumping in with two feet. After taking the helm on May 20, her first day on the job was at IMEX Frankfurt. A little overwhelming, perhaps—but overall “it was awesome,” says Calvert. “It was a really fine and appropriate place to begin my career with EIC.”
Now less than two months in, she’s still making a big splash, carrying the enthusiasm and excitement she has brought with her since the beginning. We caught up with Calvert, who came to EIC from Visit Baltimore, to learn how she’s doing, what she’s planning… more
Jul 02, 2019
As event destinations search for more recession-proof market segments to generate strong economic impact for their communities, the convention industry is taking a serious look at the rapidly growing world of esports, aka competitive video gaming.
This year alone, the global esports industry is set to surpass the $1 billion mark, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. And with many association and corporate events continuing to grapple with flat budgets and shrinking attendance, an exploding industry such as esports, with its broad appeal and growing fan base, has become all the more… more
Jul 02, 2019
Digital marketing company Feathr has acquired Springful, a digital marketing agency based in Gainesville, Fla.
Feathr provides a marketing toolkit designed for the needs of events and associations, which is used by more than 1,000 events across the globe.
The Springful acquisition comes after an increased demand for Feathr Concierge, a managed services program that allows the Feathr Services team to help customers set up accounts, plan campaign strategies, design collateral and ad creatives, and launch and optimize campaigns.
“We are delighted to welcome Springful into the Feathr family… 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