News
Sep 15, 2023
Gearing up to once again recognize the achievements of companies delivering digital and technological solutions to the events industry, the 11th annual edition of the Event Technology Awards (ETA) has announced finalists for each of its 34 categories.
Created to recognize achievement in the event technology industry, the Event Technology Awards will announce the award winners at the end of the first day of Event Tech Live 2023, set for Nov. 15-16 at ExCeL London.
This year’s awards included six new categories that have been embraced by the events industry with plentiful entries and at… more
Sep 14, 2023
Corporate event planners and trade show organizers now have a new service that can assist them in their quest to achieve net zero carbon events: Reduce 2, Saving the Planet by Degree, an independent third-party sustainability assurance practice.
Founded and launched in August by Glenn Hansen, who served as president and CEO of auditing organization BPA Worldwide for more than 40 years, Reduce 2 focuses on standards writing, carbon footprint calculating, certifying companies and events to industry and international standards (such as ISO 20121, 14001 and 14064), as well as assuring companies… more
Sep 12, 2023
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees and exhibitors who may feel overwhelmed and overstimulated by the convention center environment while participating in events at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) now have several new resources available at the venue.
DLCC, which hosts a full calendar of major trade and consumer events in the Northeast region, has embraced accessibility via its recent partnership with KultureCity, a national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs.
The new initiative features a… more
Sep 12, 2023
Sponsored article by MCI USA
Creating exceptional experiences for attendees is the ultimate goal in the current landscape of event management. The challenge lies in tailoring these experiences to meet the unique needs of both show organizers and their attendees. With over three decades of industry experience, MCI USA understands these challenges and has cultivated a team of seasoned professionals to revolutionize the industry. This commitment to excellence is exemplified by the synergy between their veteran leadership team and use of the innovative registration, housing and lead management… more
Sep 11, 2023
As North America’s largest pet retail trade show for the $100 billion pet industry, SUPERZOO is known for a vibrant expo showcasing innovative products and trends, industry-leading education, hyper-competitive grooming contests and valuable networking opportunities. But this year, the event witnessed a stronger-than-expected increase in attendees and key decision-makers from the U.S. and abroad.
Held Aug. 16-18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the annual expo and conference welcomed nearly 18,000 pet professionals — a 10% increase compared to 2022 — from 84 countries, as… more
Sep 08, 2023
Exhibiting companies now have a new way to scan badges and generate leads at trade shows thanks to Utah-based mobile software startup Mobly, a mobile-first SaaS platform that captures leads and instantly integrates them into customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation platform (MAP) systems for immediate follow-up.
Using the Mobly app on a smartphone or tablet, booth staff can search contacts by name and company or snap a picture of a badge or business card. Mobly then enriches the lead information and automatically syncs the data in CRMs or MAPs, reducing the time to… more
Sep 08, 2023
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reports the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibition industry experienced a robust rebound, with continued improvement, during Q2 2023. The CEIR Total Index, which serves as a measure of overall exhibition performance, has surged by 21.8% compared to the same period a year ago.
“CEIR research has documented an intent to return to face-to-face engagement at B2B exhibitions, and CEIR Index quarterly results continue to document the recovery is in progress,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden. “Each quarter, the Index is showing that more business… more
Sep 06, 2023
A record-breaking number of nominations came flying in for the 2023 TSNN Awards, including nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards.
TSNN has named those who will be recognized with Outstanding Show Pro Awards and TSNN Award for Best Innovation for a Consumer Show, presented by EventsPass, as well as unveiled the finalists for the Innovation Awards listed below.
The 2023 TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) are on tap Oct. 27-28 in Puerto Rico, with an opening party at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel &… more
Sep 06, 2023
A plethora of new business agreements, contract renewals, strategic partnerships and major acquisitions have marked a very busy summer for the global trade show and events industry. Take a look!
ASM Global
The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) recently inked a five-year contract renewal with ASM Global as the venue management company for the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), effective Dec. 1 through Nov. 30, 2028. The company has served as the PCC’s management partner since 2013, when the PCCA awarded an initial contract to SMG, which was subsequently rebranded as ASM… more
Sep 05, 2023
U.K.-based Cuil Bay Capital (CBC), a new investment vehicle led by exhibition industry entrepreneur Doug Emslie, former CEO of Tarsus Group, announces its inaugural investment, the acquisition of a majority stake in the dynamic U.K.-based Raccoon Media Group (Raccoon).
Founded in 2016, Raccoon achieved acclaim with the launch of the multi-award-winning National Running Show. Since then, the company launched several more events in the U.K. and U.S. and experienced fast growth, transforming into a high-growth media business dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles.
Raccoon… 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