News
Apr 02, 2019
Connect Travel, a division of Connect (a Tarsus Group company), has expanded its fast-growing portfolio even more with the acquisition of multiple assets from North American Journeys.
Three RTO Summits (East, West and Orlando), Active America China, as well as the Inbound Report and TourOperatorLand.com will join the Connect Travel portfolio, which includes the Connect Travel Marketplace, Connect Tour and the Connect THRIVE Summit.
“North American Journeys has been an innovator in B2B tourism marketing since 1996,” said Will Seccombe, president of Connect Travel.
He added, “We look… more
Apr 01, 2019
Cincinnati, Ohio-based event production services provider Fern has acquired Seattle-based Triumph Expo & Events and Portland-based DWA Trade Show & Exposition Services.
The two event services companies will both operate under the Fern brand, while the leadership from both organizations will be integrated into the existing Fern leadership team.
Not only will Fern’s move into the Pacific Northwest allow the company to serve this growing market for its existing customers more effectively, but also the acquisitions of Triumph and DWA represent a natural integration of shared… more
Apr 01, 2019
Attending events other than your own can spark innovative thinking, helping you transform or heighten the key elements of your own events. Registration options and processes, education, traffic flow, exhibition layout, entertainment, and food and beverage are just a few of the areas to consider shaking up.
The annual Game Developers Conference is organized by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become the largest B2B events organizer in the world. UBM’s portfolio includes trade shows and conferences across industries including fashion, life sciences, biopharma, manufacturing… more
Mar 29, 2019
Destinations International (formerly known as DMAI) has opened registration for its 2019 Annual Convention taking place in St. Louis, July 23-25. This event provides the opportunity for professionals from destination organizations to come together with peers and thought leaders inside and outside the industry.
“We are excited to bring the greatest minds in the travel and tourism industry together for this annual event,” said William Pate, Destinations International chair and CEO of the Atlanta CVB. “The event promises to provide networking and inspiration for every professional across the… more
Mar 28, 2019
From organic foods to home décor to work trucks, here’s a look at the month’s most successful trade shows and events.
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Nearly 15,300 industry professionals convened at Javits Center in New York City March 3-5 for the co-located International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, Healthy Food Expo New York and Coffee Fest. Produced and managed by Clarion UX, the show featured an exhibit hall that grew 33 percent from 2018, showcasing new products from 547 companies and covering 91,000 square feet.
“Javits Center was the… more
Mar 28, 2019
In yet another example of its ambition to become one of the greenest convention centers in the nation, Detroit’s Cobo Center has been taking more progressive green steps as it actively moves toward a more sustainable future.
Last week, the facility achieved venue recertification from the Event Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange/American Society for Testing and Materials International (APEX/ASTM) Sustainable Meeting Standard, which focuses on the evaluation and selection of venues for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences.
As the ninth U.S.… more
Mar 26, 2019
The first quarter of 2019 has been a busy one for business acquisitions in the trade show industry, with a bevy of event and event-related companies scooping up shows and companies in the quest to strengthen and expand their market reach.
Last week, Marketplace Events, known as the largest producer of B2C home shows in North America, purchased two Arizona Bridal Shows from Townsquare Live Events.
Held annually at the Phoenix Convention Center in January and June, the shows represent the first foray into consumer bridal events for Marketplace, which produces 43 consumer home shows in the U.… more
Mar 25, 2019
ABCOM Technology Group, a leading provider of IT and digital signage and part of the Dubin Clark & Company, Inc. portfolio, has acquired SmartSource Rentals, an event-supporting technology company. Facilitated by a recapitalization, the acquisition is effective today.
“With more than 60 years of combined industry experience, ABCOM and SmartSource share the same focus and values when it comes to anticipating customers' ever-changing needs,” said Sanjay Kapur, CEO of SmartSource. "We look forward to growing together and using our shared ideals and culture of operational excellence to… more
Mar 25, 2019
A well-built brand gives consumers an expectation for the experience they will have. For example, we expect different offerings from The Ritz-Carlton than Motel 6, because these hotel chains have established brands that clearly communicate their unique selling propositions. Branding differentiates their hotel from the competition and makes consumers’ purchasing decisions easier.
The same principles apply to trade shows. The need for trade shows to differentiate themselves and clearly communicate their value to participants through a distinctive brand has never been greater. Merely promoting… more
Mar 22, 2019
Community Brands, a provider of cloud-based software and payment solutions for associations, nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations, has acquired Core-apps and TripBuilder Media.
Both event management software companies bring leading mobile and onsite attendee engagement solutions that complement the Community Brands event technology portfolio.
During the last 12 months, Community Brands software has supported more than 200,000 events. The newly-acquired companies immediately complement a set of event planning solutions that already includes event registration, onsite… 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