News
Oct 24, 2017
According to the Global Business Travel Association, 80 percent of all meeting savings is realized during the venue sourcing process. To address this issue, cloud event management software provider etouches has developed etouches Venue Sourcing, which integrates sourcing and booking with meeting registration and approval, and an enterprise calendar.
etouches Venue Sourcing combines the features and functionality of the venue sourcing and booking platform Zentila, acquired by the company in 2016, with etouches’ event management software (EMS) solution.
“Meeting professionals must validate… more
Oct 24, 2017
It goes without saying that meeting security is at the top of everyone’s minds right now. After the recent incident in Las Vegas, planners need to make sure that they – and their venues – are as prepared as possible to handle any emergency that may take place.
The Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI) was launched in 2016 by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA).
EMSSI’s mission is to protect the $283 billion U.S.… more
Oct 23, 2017
SMG has been busy helping the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland amp up its sustainability goals by partnering with show organizers and exhibitors to cut back on event waste while giving back to the local community.
To help the HCCC reduce its environmental impact by diverting more recyclable items from landfill, the facility operator recently unveiled its Sustainability Donation Program, a green initiative that provides clients, exhibitors and contractors a simple and environmentally friendly solution to reduce the amount of waste they generate at an HCCC event.
By serving as a… more
Oct 23, 2017
ReedPOP, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events, is adding a series of premier events across the United Kingdom to its portfolio through the acquisition of MCM Comic Con.
ReedPOP has brought one of the largest pop culture events producers in the UK into its family of leading experiential fan events.
The acquisition of MCM by ReedPOP, a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions, part of RELX Group, will take effect immediately, and its impact will begin to be seen and felt on all 2018 events.
The MCM Comic Con show portfolio boasts nearly 300,000 pop culture fans and cosplayers… more
Oct 20, 2017
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released two new industry reports designed to help exhibitors use gamification successfully as well as help show organizers understand show floor attendee engagement tactics.
Released on Oct. 19, the new Industry Insight Series Report, “How Exhibitors Can Use Games and Contests to Drive Greater Trade Show Success,” is intended to be a straightforward, “how-to” guide on using games and contests to drive exhibitor success.
“There has been a lot of buzz about gamification in the business world over the past several years and the trade show… more
Oct 20, 2017
Even in a predominantly female industry, women in events suffer from, among other challenges, a gender pay gap, lack of representation in the C-Suite, and dwindling end-of-career employment prospects. As part of TSNN’s complimentary webinar series, this webinar will focus on specific actions that women and men in leadership positions can take to create more opportunities for female employees. It will also offer advice to women working in the events industry on how to thrive during every phase of their careers.
When: Thursday, October 26, 2017, 1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Cost: None - Thanks… more
Oct 19, 2017
PCMA’s Digital Experience Institute annual online Summit now is open for registration. Supported and sponsored by Meetings + Conventions Calgary, the all-day event is set to take place Nov. 15, between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT.
Participating event professionals will have a chance to join veteran strategists and newcomers to the digital space where they can learn all about digital event solutions and how to implement success into each event.
Amanda Marijanovic will once again be the broadcast host, facilitating dialogue with industry experts on a variety of topics ranging from digital event law and… more
Oct 19, 2017
SPTechCon: The SharePoint & O365 Technology Conference, coming up Nov. 12-15 in Bethesda, Md., was bought by Exposition Development Company from BZ Media.
“Stephanie (Everett) and I are thrilled to have this opportunity to add the SPTechCon Events to the ExpoDevCo Portfolio,” said David Audrain, CEO of Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo).
He added, “Ted and his team have built a wonderful brand and we look forward to continuing to develop the market for this brand.”
Ted Bahr, CEO of BZ Media, said, “SPTechCon has served the Microsoft SharePoint market for more than eight years… more
Oct 19, 2017
In a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, GES has once again achieved APEX/ASTM Level Two certification for the meetings and event industry.
Spearheaded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Green Meeting Industry Council, the standards were developed in collaboration between APEX (the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange) and ASTM, an ANSI-certified international standard development organization.
The certification encourages organizations to adopt environmental standards to create more sustainable events as well as recognizes… more
Oct 18, 2017
The Mohegan Sun Exposition Center expansion project is more than one-third complete and on schedule for a June 2018 opening.
Last month, the leaders of Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe gathered with guests, including Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and AZ Corporation, for a ceremonial topping-off to celebrate the progress of the $80 million project, which began last March.
Over 300 signatures from ironworkers to state and local officials and Mohegan Sun and Tribe management adorned the steel beam.
The resort and casino’s new Exposition Center will span 240,000 net square feet and… 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