News
Sep 14, 2018
Less than a month after Vancouver became the first city in the world to adopt a comprehensive zero waste strategic plan and the first city in Canada to ban plastic straws and polystyrene containers, the city played host to Sustainable Brands, the annual global flagship conference of one of the leading corporate sustainability communities of brand innovators and sustainability professionals working to shape the future of commerce worldwide.
Held June 4-7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and for the first time in Canada, Sustainable Brands drew more than 2,300 participants from across the… more
Sep 13, 2018
Event registration and ticketing platform company, Eventbrite, plans to go public. The company filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on Aug. 23, stating that it intends to raise $200 million from sales of its Class A shares.
Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Allen & Company and RBC Capital Markets are underwriting the IPO and Eventbrite stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the ticker symbol “EB.”
On Sept.7, Eventbrite announced that it plans to sell 10 million shares priced $19-$21 each, to raise $200 million at the midpoint of that range. The valuation of… more
Sep 13, 2018
A single plastic straw, which might be used for about 15 minutes, will never fully decompose. That depressing fact has inspired two major players in the exhibitions, meetings and hospitality industries to launch a series of sustainability initiatives designed to give single-use plastic waste the boot.
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has launched “Think Before Plastic,” an initiative debuted at the start of its new fiscal year on July 1 that features a series of new measures focused on cutting back and eliminating plastic… more
Sep 12, 2018
Private equity firm MidOcean Partners has acquired Questex, a B2B information services provider, from Shamrock Capital. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Questex is a global B2B information services company that serves the beauty/spa/wellness, travel/hospitality, life sciences/healthcare and telecommunications/technology sectors.
The Company serves these end markets through leading brands and well-developed capabilities, including more than125 tradeshows (such as the industry leading International Beauty Shows), conferences (including ExL events), and hosted buyer… more
Sep 12, 2018
Several shows have canceled at convention centers expected to be impacted by Hurricane Florence, which is projected to make landfall in the Carolinas as a Category 3 or 4 storm on Friday morning.
The National Rifle Association has canceled the second annual NRA Carry Guard Expo, scheduled for Sept. 14-16, 2018 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Va., due to the impending threat of severe weather associated with Hurricane Florence.
“The cancellation was made in the interest of public safety due to the forecasted arrival of Category 4 Hurricane Florence in the mid-Atlantic… more
Sep 12, 2018
On Aug. 13, Governor Rick Smith declared a state of emergency in seven counties along the Florida Gulf Coast, and the red tide continues to have a negative impact on the state’s shores and beaches. The toxic algae bloom is responsible for a drop in tourism that many local businesses worry will continue.
The red tide is a natural phenomenon that has been documented since the 1500s. However, this most recent occurrence has been particularly troublesome. The harmful algae bloom (the term that scientists prefer) emits toxic gasses that have killed a vast quantity of marine life. These gasses… more
Sep 11, 2018
C2 Melbourne was originally planned to be held from 17th to 19th October 2018, at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The event was eventually cancelled following the sudden departure of the event creator and C2’s CEO Asia-Pacific Martin Enault.
It is reported that Enault has cited health reason for his decision. According to the event venue, MCEC, they have invested a lot of marketing capital into the event and it is expected to attract some 2,500 participants. C2 Melbourne has been promoted in various international trade shows recently and Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB)… more
Sep 11, 2018
Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) recently released its MICE statistics for the second quarter of 2018. In the quarter, a total of 327 MICE events were held in Macau, down 6 events compared with the same quarter in 2017. However, the total number of participants increased 1.7% to about 411,000 in the period.
According to DSEC, a total of 316 meetings and conferences were held in quarter, 6 events more than the previous year. The total number of participants was 98,000, representing a significant increase of 121% year-on-year. Nine exhibitions were held in period, down 2… more
Sep 11, 2018
UBM India, a UBM plc subsidiary, opened a new food and hospitality show, Food and Hotel India (FHIn), on 5th September 2018. The inaugural event is held at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai and runs until 7th September.
FHIn is part of the portfolio of food and hospitality shows organised by UBM Allworld. The event is designed to serve as a platform for food and hospitality industry professionals to showcase their products and services in the Indian market.
More than 60 exhibitors from 10 countries including leading Indian and international hospitality chains, consultants, suppliers and… more
Sep 11, 2018
This week, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened its Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) running from 4th to 8th September 2018. The event featured some 830 exhibitors from 25 countries.
Now in its 37th edition, the Watch & Clock Fair is organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries. Positioned as the world’s largest event of its kind, the fair features products of watches, clocks, smart watches, parts & components, machinery… 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