News
Dec 10, 2021
Your sales reps' expectations from sales kick-offs (SKOs) have changed. They no longer want boring business strategy monologues. They want to network, get energized, and figure out how they’re going to be successful that year. There is also the added challenge of meeting these expectations virtually.
Here are 3 mistakes you could be making at your virtual SKOs that are affecting your sales results.
Mistake #1 - Packing it all into 48 hours
A typical SKO is an annual mega-event where sales reps are crammed into their seats all day and given one presentation after another. This drains… more
Dec 08, 2021
ASM Global, the largest venue management company in the world, is continuing to lead the way for the return of in-person events, this time in Philadelphia, as host to the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Expo! Expo! 2021 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) Dec. 7-9.
IAEE is the trade group that represents the exhibition industry, which contributed $396 billion annually to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and supported 6.6 million jobs prior to the pandemic. Expo! Expo! 2021, the largest think tank of trade show organizers and… more
Dec 08, 2021
U.K.-based global events, data and media platform Arc has acquired five rural sector events from B2B trade show company Fortem International. Now part of Arc’s Agriconnect business, which provides information, events and digital platforms for the U.K. agriculture community, the five collocated events are expected to add additional depth and reach across this expansive sector while continuing to connect U.K. farmers and landowners seeking alternative sources of income.
“We are excited to add the rural and leisure portfolio to Agriconnect, which is already one of the U.K.’s largest… more
Dec 07, 2021
Following an incredibly challenging time for the $55 billion global attractions industry, IAAPA Expo 2021, the industry’s premier event, recently reconvened for the first time since 2019. Held Nov. 15-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., the festive trade show and conference opened its doors to more than 28,000 global attractions industry professionals seeking to network, learn and buy.
Hosted by IAAPA, the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions, the event featured more than 870 exhibiting companies from around the world touting new… more
Dec 06, 2021
The iCompli Sustainability division of global assurance provider BPA Worldwide has become an official member of the new Maritz Global Events Wellbeing Network. The alliance is designed to provide a custom tool for clients to measure the carbon footprint of an event and then provides guidance to improve it.
Three phases will consist of measurement, improvement and implementation through the BPA iCompli Sustainability Carbon Footprint Measurement Tool and Maritz Global Events:
For phase 1, Discovery & Assessment, participating organizers are educated on the information required to… more
Dec 03, 2021
New tech solutions for events of all types continue to rapidly take shape in the industry, from platform upgrades and additions to mobile apps and measurement tools. Check out some of the latest new developments.
Bizzabo
Bizzabo recently launched its Event Experience category and Event Experience Operating System (OS) to help companies “future-proof” events for a hybrid world.
The Experience OS, built from the ground up to lead the new category of Event experience was designed to give event organizers the tools they need to deliver personalized experiences, create magical moments that… more
Dec 03, 2021
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, has extended the benchmarking survey for the first phase of its recently launched Equity Acceleration Plan. The landmark plan aims to provide a framework to turn its vision to action and lead the challenge against discrimination and systemic racism in the events industry.
The first phase was designed to focus on establishing a benchmark by which to measure progress for the industry through a survey that determines the current state of diversity,… more
Dec 02, 2021
Take a look at the jam-packed schedule of this year’s Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition, and it’s obvious why this annual gathering for trade show and event professionals is dubbed “the show for shows.” But this year, the show will serve as a homecoming for the $101 billion B2B exhibitions industry following two years without an in-person Expo! Expo! to help show organizers forge business connections, access premium learning opportunities and foster valuable peer relationships.
Set for Dec. 7-9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the trade show and… more
Dec 01, 2021
The Dubai Airshow, Tarsus Group’s flagship event, recently wrapped up its 2021 edition with more than 104,000 face-to-face attendees from around the world for the first time in nearly two years.
The five-day show, held Nov. 14-18 at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site in Dubai, saw a 50% increase in trade visitor numbers over the 2019 pre-pandemic event as well as a 24% boost in overall attendance. Meanwhile, as an industry-leading hallmark show for facilitating thousands of in-person meetings, commercial deals and new partnerships, the order tally by closing day was U.S. $78 billion.
Douglas Emslie,… more
Nov 30, 2021
Across the events spectrum, new hires and promotions are continuing to happen at a record pace as the trade show industry gears up for a busy new year ahead. Check out who’s jumping on or climbing up the industry ladder.
Exhibit Concepts, Inc.
Exhibit Concepts, Inc. (ECI) recently promoted Dominic Conti to vice president of production and Masten Worley to vice president of sales and account management.
In his new role, Conti will be responsible for fabrication, graphic production, prep, warehouse operations, installation, field supervision, traffic and shipping in both Dayton and Chicago… 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