News
May 18, 2023
Leading international live and on-demand events, academic and digital services group, Informa, has further bolstered its position in the growing specialist B2B foodservice market with the acquisition of Winsight, a leading specialist B2B events, data and media group focused on the food and beverage industry, for $380 million.
The combination of Winsight with Informa’s existing B2B foodservice portfolio significantly enhances Informa’s established position in this large and growing marketing by bringing together leading specialist brands in live and on-demand events.
“Following on from the… more
May 16, 2023
Global, full-service event and experiential marketing agency Impact XM recently expanded its large-scale meetings and event management capabilities and expertise, as well as launched a valuable new service for its clients.
On May 2, the agency announced it had acquired Denver-based MorEvents, a female-owned event management and creative agency that has been serving global audiences for more than two decades. Specializing in delivering virtual and physical events across the globe, MorEvents has partnered with Fortune 500 companies including Mastercard and Dell EMC to shape how these… more
May 15, 2023
As the trade show industry continues its robust, post-pandemic recovery in 2023, several event organizations and providers across the U.S. are establishing strategic partnerships, renewing business deals and making acquisitions. Check them out!
ESCA
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) has selected leading event management software provider EventMobi as a preferred partner for its event management software solutions to benefit ESCA members.
Known as a trusted event technology provider for member-based organizations and corporations, EventMobi offers an award-… more
May 12, 2023
A testament to the industry’s recovery, this year is turning out to be a major success for Questex, a leading information and event services company focused on the experience economy.
With new event activations connecting buyers and sellers at the 2023 editions of six Questex shows — International Beauty Show New York, International Esthetics Cosmetics & Spa Conference New York, Bar & Restaurant Expo, World Tea Expo, Vibe Conference and Fierce Pharma Events — the company delivered record-breaking numbers of attendees, exhibitors and revenue and now exceeds… more
May 12, 2023
Momentus Technologies, a global leader in venue and event management software, is continuing to grow its portfolio with the purchase of WeTrack, a rapidly growing leader in sustainability, project management, incident tracking and control room software.
Momentus Technologies found WeTrack's out-of-the-box sustainability reporting software, which has been widely recognized for its intuitive design and simplified offering, to be a perfect addition to its platform. Meanwhile, WeTrack’s project management and incident tracking software enables the largest events and venues in the world to plan… more
May 11, 2023
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S., a time to honor and recognize the contributions and influence of those in the AAPI community to the history, culture and achievements of the U.S., in addition to the industries in which they work. It’s also an ideal opportunity to learn about the AAPI community through their valuable insights.
Trade Show News Network checked in with five AAPI events industry professionals to get their thoughts on how their organizations support the AAPI community, AAPI event professionals to watch, advice for the next generation of… more
May 10, 2023
The U.S. trade show industry is continuing a robust Q2 as event-related companies and venues far and wide expand their teams and appoint experienced industry leaders to guide their growth trajectories. Take a look!
Encore
Global event technology and production services provider Encore recently made two senior executive hires focused on elevating customer experience: Trevor Ferguson as COO and Michelle Brown as senior vice president of operations and customer excellence.
Ferguson joins Encore’s leadership team from Aramark, where he worked for more than 17 years, most recently serving as… more
May 08, 2023
As May begins, TSNN is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. by spotlighting an AAPI woman who has enriched the event and trade show industry and been instrumental in its future success.
Sonia Fong, senior vice president of convention development for Louisville Tourism, has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. Her current responsibilities include managing the convention sales team to achieve annual room night goals, developing and implementing the convention sales and marketing plan, outlining specific sales objectives and… more
May 05, 2023
The U.S. Travel Association, which has been diligently advocating for the end of COVID-19 restrictions along with several other tourism and events industry entities, overwhelmingly welcomed the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement May 1 to repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for inbound travel to the U.S.
“[The] action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward, said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.
However, he added, the return of international visitors should be as efficient… more
May 05, 2023
It can’t be easy trying to fill the shoes of a longtime, widely respected industry veteran who held your new role for more than four decades. But that’s exactly what Mac Campbell, the new executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC), has been attempting to do since taking the helm in January 2023.
Campbell replaced the legendary Peggy Daidakis, the first female director of a major U.S. convention center, who retired last fall after 44 years with the BCC. In 1979, Daidakis helped open the BBC, Maryland’s largest convention venue, ran it from 1986 to 2022, and was instrumental… 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