News
Nov 19, 2014
How do attendees of the first-ever Niche EventFest get to a networking party? They have a traditional second line parade down the middle of Poydras Street in New Orleans accompanied by a brass band and a police escort.
Niche EventFest, held Nov. 3-5, is the creation of Carl Landau, self-proclaimed Grand Poobah of Niche Media and believer that fun and conferences go well together. This isn’t Landau’s first rodeo though. Niche Media is the producer of Niche Media Conference, Niche Digital Conference and Niche CEO Summit.
Landau said the idea for Niche EventFest came from the obvious interest in… more
Nov 18, 2014
A new show that will explore the business of space - the Space Commerce Conference and Exposition (SpaceCom) – is set to launch Nov. 17-19 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center, SpaceCom is designed to catalyze the economic development of space, the creation of new business models to support that development and the application of space technologies across important industry sectors of the global economy, according to show organizers.
"The impact of space commerce is already being felt across the economy… more
Nov 18, 2014
The Professional Convention Management Association has selected the 2015 class for their 20 in their twenties program, which is designed is designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the meetings industry by recognizing emerging leaders.
“We are privileged to once again have the opportunity to strategically partner with PCMA, the PCMA Education Foundation and their 20 in their Twenties initiative,” said Bob Lander, President and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the program’s sponsor.
He added, "As an inaugural partner, we were thrilled to… more
Nov 18, 2014
Irving, Texas-based Hanley Wood, a multimedia company serving the residential, commercial design and construction industries, has sold its Hanley Wood Exhibitions business to Informa PLC, a U.K.-based publishing and events company that operates in more than 40 countries.
The $375 million sale is subject to customary regulatory review and is expected to close by the end of 2014. Upon the closing of the transaction, the exhibitions business will be rebranded Informa Exhibitions US and will maintain its headquarters in Irving, Texas.
Rick McConnell will continue to lead the company as… more
Nov 18, 2014
SACEOS, the Singapore Association of Conventions, Exhibitions and Suppliers and SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, have jointly signed an agreement to share knowledge and information among their respective exhibition industry members.
"This agreement will offer our members an unprecedented opportunity to grow their respective brands in and around the Singapore area as we recognize Singapore as central to the entire ASEAN market base,” Rick McConnell, Chairman of SISO, said.
SISO, established in 1990, has more than 160 members globally, but with its largest number of members… more
Nov 17, 2014
The National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference was named the overall fastest-growing show in net square footage and UBM's Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis and MinnPack snagged the overall fastest-growing show in attendance at the 2014 TSNN Awards, held Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland.
“It’s been a fantastic weekend and Cleveland is a phenomenal city,” said Laura Pabst, who oversees the NSGC show for SmithBucklin. “NSGC is very grateful for this and will be back next year!”
Other big winners celebrated during the gala celebration on Saturday night at… more
Nov 16, 2014
In a research study published recently, researchers demonstrated that a variety of visual factors, such as the color and balance of the elements on a plate, can influence a diner’s perception of, and response to, food.
They found that subjects willingly paid higher-than-normal price for a salad that was presented to resemble a famous abstract painting by the artist Kandinsky. Diners also reported enjoying it more than another salad with the same ingredients but plated in a more ordinary manner. Clearly, we have an in-built penchant for experiences carefully designed to please our visual… more
Nov 16, 2014
In a research study published recently, researchers demonstrated that a variety of visual factors, such as the color and balance of the elements on a plate, can influence a diner’s perception of, and response to, food.
They found that subjects willingly paid higher-than-normal price for a salad that was presented to resemble a famous abstract painting by the artist Kandinsky. Diners also reported enjoying it more than another salad with the same ingredients but plated in a more ordinary manner. Clearly, we have an in-built penchant for experiences carefully designed to please our visual… more
Nov 12, 2014
Autumn brought a busy time with companies adding sales, marketing, operations and executive positions to their employee rosters.
Shepard Exposition Services added of two new national sales managers to help support its expanding business in the Orlando and Las Vegas markets. Alex Shelton will be based in Shepard’s Las Vegas branch and Tony Diehl in their Orlando branch.
Richard Maples, Shepard’s executive vice president of sales, said, “As we continue to grow our business, it’s critical that we maintain our focus on providing the best customer service, experience and success in the industry.… more
Nov 12, 2014
PMMI — The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies – wrapped up its biannual PACK EXPO International last week, along with the newly collocated Pharma EXPO 2014, and attracted a 6.5 percent increase in attendance, compared with 2012, topping 48,600 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The four-day event was held Nov. 2-5 and covered more than 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space, with 2,352 exhibiting companies - an increase of more than 19 percent, compared with PACK EXPO International 2012.
“PACK EXPO International 2014 was definitely a success,” said Jim Pittas,… 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