News
May 22, 2016
The Professional Convention Management Association launched its new CMP Exam Prep App, powered by SpotMe.
The CMP study app is an add-on to the recently released updated CMP Online Prep Course.
Dedicated to elevating the role of event organizers, PCMA believes that with tough traveling schedules, a first-of-its-kind on-the-go solution opens an opportunity for more professionals to earn their designation.
Once users have downloaded the app, they will have access to:
500 quiz-type questions to test knowledge – organized by domain and as a scramble
Domain resources including… more
May 21, 2016
At the 1928 conference of the National Association of Greenkeepers of America (now known as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America), 350 participants gathered at the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit to see the latest innovations in golf course maintenance equipment and technology from 27 exhibitors.
Fred A. Burkhardt from Cleveland, Ohio, spearheaded efforts to launch the National Greenkeepers Golf Show, with the goal of offering collaboration opportunities for golf course managers to exchange ideas and strengthen
peer-to-peer relationships. And the audience responded – floor… more
May 21, 2016
The world of Search Engine Optimization has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 years. Gone are the days when working hard on your keywords and adding a few meta tags to your HTML pages used to give you ample control on your organic visibility. The rules of the game have changed significantly because search engine algorithms have become smarter, so much so that the user experience and traffic flow on your website are now the deciding factors in how much weightage your content gets.
Here are five things to keep in mind to maximize the SEO of your web assets:
1. Mobile readiness… more
May 21, 2016
The world of Search Engine Optimization has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 years. Gone are the days when working hard on your keywords and adding a few meta tags to your HTML pages used to give you ample control on your organic visibility. The rules of the game have changed significantly because search engine algorithms have become smarter, so much so that the user experience and traffic flow on your website are now the deciding factors in how much weightage your content gets.
Here are five things to keep in mind to maximize the SEO of your web assets:
1. Mobile readiness… more
May 18, 2016
With the subject of food safety in the news after various recalls across the United States, it’s no wonder the 18th Annual Food Safety Summit, held recently for the first time in Rosemont, attracted nearly 1,700 registered food safety professionals.
Attendance was a 12-percent increase in registered attendees, compared with last year’s event, and more than 200 exhibiting companies also were on the showfloor, a 20-percent increase from 2015.
During the three-day event, which is run by BNP Media and was held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, food safety professionals… more
May 18, 2016
People hirings and promotions seemed to be happening at warp speed as winter turned into spring, with suppliers and show management companies strengthening their ranks.
Ungerboeck Software International’s Manish Chandak, who was CTO of the company, was named president and CEO.
“Manish possesses the unique ability to translate vision and strategy into world-class execution,” said Ungerboeck founder and chairman of the board, Dieter Ungerboeck. “This will move us forward with the speed required to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us.”
Prior to joining Ungerboeck, Chandak… more
May 17, 2016
A truly global group of talent from the exhibition industry has been selected as the first-ever recipients of the new “Next Generation Leadership Grant” launched by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
The program promotes the next generation leadership in the exhibition industry, who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their respective area.
Out of the numerous applications from 16 different countries, a jury, chaired by UFI President Sergey Alexeev, selected the five recipients of the grant. They are (in alphabetical order):
• Adeline Larroque… more
May 17, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events celebrated a sold-out Women’s Leadership Forum April 26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
More than 200 attendees took part in this year’s event, which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career.
“This year’s attendance reflects the overwhelming interest in programming addressing topics specific to female professionals,” said 2016 IAEE Chairperson Julie Smith, CEM, CTA.
She added, “We have received very positive feedback about the forum and look forward to creating another… more
May 17, 2016
Forget early morning yoga. Though it’s a popular event at trade shows and conferences, it tends to in most cases to only attract a few die-hard enthusiasts, says Dr. Kim, president and CEO of X bytes, a byte-size wellness company.
A much better solution would be to focus on combatting mid-morning and mid-afternoon sitting fatigue with a fitness break. Going a step further? How about turning your networking meeting into a cycling class?
Incorporating wellness has become a popular move for trade shows and conferences, but making it fun and enticing remains a challenge. Though most people would… more
May 16, 2016
LIGHTFAIR International 2016 set new trade show floor and West Coast attendance records during its five-day run in San Diego Convention Center, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and COO of LFI managing partner AmericasMart Atlanta.
“The convergence of light and technology marked every dimension of LFI 2016 with new product introductions, new design concepts and new connectivity setting clear direction for the way forward,” Portman said.
He added, “We expect our 2016 event to have transformative impact on the world of lighting design now and for years to come… 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