News

Dec 16, 2012
J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. has been appointed the official exposition sales and management firm for the Clinical Lab Expo, sponsored by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. J. Spargo will be responsible for the sales and management of booth space, sponsorships and ancillary marketing opportunities for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Clinical Lab Expos. Clinical Lab Expo is the world's largest gathering for laboratory medicine, according to association officials. The show is ranked No. 86 in the TSNN Top 250 tradeshows… more
Dec 15, 2012
Pri-Med, the U.S. medical education division of Portland, Maine-based Diversified Business Communications and provider of professional medical education to 260,000-plus clinicians, purchased Amazing Charts, a leading provider of electronic health records to independent medical practices. “This acquisition is a natural extension of Pri-Med, our thriving medical education business” said Nancy Hasselback, president and CEO of Diversified Business Communications. She added, “Pri-Med’s expertise in delivering live educational programs to so many clinicians at the local… more
Dec 12, 2012
Both Houston and Miami Beach, Fla., received good news this week that the convention center footprints in their respective cities will have major upgrades in the next few years. The Houston City Council recently approved a proposal by RIDA Development Corporation and Houston First Corporation for a 1,000-room convention center hotel connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The hotel will be a Marriott Marquis and will bookend the other side of the center from the existing Hilton Americas-Houston hotel. The new hotel is the result of a year-long project by… more
Dec 10, 2012
Restaurants serve all kinds of high-end tea products these days, at least that’s what the thinking might be behind the decision for World Tea East and the Atlanta Foodservice Expo to collocate next year in Atlanta. World Tea Media’s (a division of F+W Media) World Tea East and Clarion Events North America’s Atlanta Foodservice Expo will be held Oct. 20-22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. "World Tea East and Atlanta Foodservice Expo are a perfect combination," said George Jage, founder and director of World Tea Media, which also organizes World Tea… more
Dec 10, 2012
Global Sources recently held its third annual China Sourcing Fairs in Johannesburg. The Fairs are the largest exhibitions of their kind in Africa to feature manufacturers of China-made consumer goods. Showcasing more than 800 exhibitor booths, the collocated exhibitions were held Nov. 28-30 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. "Africa's trade with China continues to expand. China-made consumer goods are playing an increasing larger role in African retail markets - providing consumers with more choices for quality products,… more
Dec 10, 2012
Walking through the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, everywhere you turn there is yet another way the venue is demonstrating that it practices what it preaches as the greenest trade show facility in the United States. In 2003, the SMG-managed venue became the first convention center to earn Gold certification under the Green Building Council’s LEED (leadership in Energy and Environment Design) for New Construction and Major Renovations rating system, and at the time, it was the world’s largest green building. “Pittsburgh leaders wanted the David L.… more
Dec 10, 2012
AsiaWorld-Expo recently unveiled two new major convention spaces for Hong Kong: Runway 11 and Runway Suites series. The new venues will help attract even more international conferences and events to Hong Kong, building on the growth that the local MICE industry already is experiencing, according to AWE officials. “We are pleased that our Runway 11 and Runway Suites series have provided new major convention spaces for Hong Kong and are very much welcomed by the MICE industry with a view to attracting more international conferences and events to Hong Kong,” saidAllen Ha, CEO of… more
Dec 10, 2012
UBM, in association with the China Chamber of Commerce for Metals, Mineral and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), will launch the Concrete Show China, which will take place June 26-28 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. Concrete Show China will bring together buyers and suppliers to experience and interact with a full range of concrete products and services, enhance industry knowledge and engage in ground-breaking discussion, according to UBM officials. Concrete plays an important role in the Chinese building materials market. CCMC believes that the new show… more
Dec 10, 2012
The 2013 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), which is on tap Jan. 29-31 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, has set a record, with more than 1,150 exhibitors, covering 430,000-plus net square feet of exhibit space. Comprised of the three integrated trade shows -- International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo, and AMI’s International Meat Expo – IPPE still is growing with several weeks left before the doors officially open. “We very much appreciate the participation of so many of our industry’s suppliers,” said John Starkey… more
Dec 10, 2012
Messe Düsseldorf, Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai and the China National Travel Service Group Corporation recently signed a cooperation agreement. As a result, Messe Düsseldorf is the first and only German trade fair organizer to work together with a Chinese partner in the tourism industry, according to company officials. CTS has considerable resources in tourism, including vacation complexes, travel agencies and its own magazine, according to Messe Düsseldorf officials. It also is one of the largest campsite operators in China. By 2015, it will have set up more than 50… 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