News

Sep 09, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson With the rise of digital entertainment options and the fall of attention spans, now just eight seconds on average, engaging attendees beyond a trade show or event has never been more important, or challenging.  Year-round attendee engagement has become critical for building a strong event brand and maintaining attendee retention rates.  On Event Manager Blog, Kerry Creaswood explained how engagement adds power to events. She wrote, “Event marketing is no longer about creating sales pitch opportunities. It’s about getting customers to form a connection with a… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Shenyang New World EXPO (EXPO) is only days from its special opening. The new venue will host China’s Annual National Planning Conference 2016 (ANPC) Sept. 24-26. Current advance registrations ensure that more than 7,000 delegates will attend the event from throughout China. Cliff Wallace, chairman of the EXPO’s private management and operating company said, “To host this prestigious event as EXPO’s opening event while celebrating the 60th anniversary Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) as a part of the event is very special for our professional management team.” ANPC is being… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Future of Events was meant to be a launch, scheduled Aug. 22-24 in Amsterdam, but every starter event’s worst nightmare occurred when organizers decided they needed to cancel it a month beforehand. A stellar line up of speakers had been scheduled, airline tickets and hotel accommodations were made. Despite the last-minute setback, some long-time event professionals banded together and decided to hold a brand new event any way, and it would all be online. “(We didn’t want) to lose the chance to have a brain date with the thought leaders of our industry that were scheduled to come to this… more
Sep 06, 2016
Despite the global exhibitions market experiencing a slowdown in 2015, the Indonesian tradeshow market continues to accelerate, offering lucrative opportunities for international organizers and investors, as reported in Globex 2016: the global exhibition organizing market: assessment and forecast to 2020, produced annually by AMR International. “For the first time we dedicated an entire chapter on the Indonesian exhibitions market because it’s an underserved market that shows no signs of slowing,” said Diana Gineva, editor of Globex 2016. Since 2011, Indonesia has grown at close to 13 person… more
Sep 06, 2016
The 4th edition of Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) was held Sept. 2-4 at Hall D, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao. Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and other co-organisers include Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Women’s General Association of Macau, the show’s purpose was to highlight Macau’s competitiveness as an international travel destination for overseas tourists. The three-day event also was supported by the China National Tourism Administration. More than 135… more
Sep 06, 2016
For the past 15 years, Messe Frankfurt has established a strong foothold in the thriving Chinese market and now is widely represented in a number of subsidiaries and joint ventures in Greater China. One such division is Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, Messe Frankfurt’s first branch in Mainland China established in 2002. T he Shanghai office has expanded in scale in recent years to employ more than 130 employees, with 40 more in its Beijing auxiliary office. To accommodate this growing number of staff, the Shanghai office moved to a new premises in June 2016. The new office is located in… more
Sep 06, 2016
The trade show industry has a history of being generous to its surrounding communities, and a few companies recently have lent a helping hand to those in need. SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., continues to be a strong supporter of Long Island Cares, the nonprofit organization based in the same town and founded by the late Harry Chapin, which brings together resources to benefit the hungry on Long Island and meet other vital humanitarian needs. SmartSource, which has a longstanding tradition of raising funds and volunteerism on behalf of Long… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) under the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region released its MICE statistics in Macao for the quarter ended 30th June 2016.  A total of 318 MICE events were held in the quarter, including 292 meetings & conferences, 18 exhibitions and 8 incentive events. The total number of MICE participants was 451,000. The 18 exhibitions attracted a total of 392,000 attendees, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.1%. The average duration of the exhibitions was 3.4 days and the total floor area used was 85,000 m2 – up by 27.4% respectively… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Thailand Incentive and Meeting Exchange (TIME) 2016, organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), took place in Bangkok and Phuket from 16th to 21st August. Focused on the Chinese market, the inaugural event consisted of three activities: a knowledge exchange, a business exchange and an experience exchange. The TIME Knowledge Exchange was an educational forum held in Bangkok where Chinese industry players were invited to talk about conducting MICE business activities in China. More than 150 Thai MICE industry professionals attended the forum including representatives… more
Sep 06, 2016
The Brisbane Boat Show was held from 19th to 21st August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC). Displaying water craft and other accessories, more than 70 organisations covering boats and boat activities such as fishing, water skiing, wake boarding, personal water craft and canoeing are participating in the three-day show. Representatives from Maritime Safety Queensland, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Water Police and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard set-up a counter to educate visitors about boating… 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