News
Jul 21, 2021
Cathy Song Novelli joined the popular event technology platform Hubilo as senior vice president of marketing and communications in April. But she is quick to point out that this is “not my first rodeo.”
Based in Silicon Valley, Novelli is rich with experience producing events, enhancing branding and delivering high-level marketing for household-name companies like MySpace and Pandora. So her BS alarm is sparked when she hears companies say platforms create events attendees love. “As a marketer, I take great offense at that,” she said. “Event organizers use all of their creativity to create… more
Jul 20, 2021
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau appointed David Whitaker as its new president and CEO following a six-month executive search by a 14-member committee comprising local business and community leaders who reflect Miami-Dade County’s rich diversity.
The appointment is a homecoming for Whitaker, who worked for the Greater Miami CVB from 1990-2007, most recently as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. He then went on to serve as president and CEO of Tourism Toronto for eight years, and then president and CEO of Choose Chicago for five years.
“David brings back… more
Jul 19, 2021
Prompted by a previous panel with four digital event platform CEOs held June 10 during UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry’s European Conference, in which eyebrows were raised when it was mentioned that digital event platforms owned customer data, UFI hosted a new panel to debate the issue last week with five top trade show organizing companies.
Held July 15 online, the "Data Ownership an Organisers Perspective" panel was moderated by trade show journalist Danica Tormohlen, with panelists Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie, Emerald CEO Herve Sedky and Clarion Events’… more
Jul 19, 2021
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Tenny as Editorial Director. She is an award-winning editor, writer and strategist who has worked in publishing for more than 25 years, 16 of which have been spent covering the meetings and events industry.
In her new role, Tenny will be overseeing TSNN, the No. 1 online news source for the trade show industry, and Corporate Event News, an online news publication for corporate event planners and professionals.
"TSNN and Corporate Event News are extremely fortunate to have Lori joining on as editorial director… more
Jul 19, 2021
The first time Margaret Launzel-Pennes worked on a virtual trade show, it was still a year or two before Y2K became three infamous characters. In the more than 20 years since that groundbreaking endeavor, technology has changed (particularly in the past year) but the idea of bringing communities together regardless of distance is nothing new, Launzel-Penne says.
It’s that kind of experience and knowledge that Launzel-Pennes hopes will help her new company, Pop Experiential, stand out among a crowded field of event companies. She isn’t going solo — not by a long shot — and is as prepared as… more
Jul 16, 2021
Event sponsorships are a popular marketing channel for most large organizations. 85% of marketers say their companies prioritize sponsoring events. For event organizers, understanding what ROI sponsors look for is of utmost importance to build trust and have sponsors return for future events. Most companies sponsor events:
To build brand awareness among the target audience.
To introduce their brand and business to new customers.
To increase sales of their product or service.
As an event organizer, you want to ensure your event delivers the ROI sponsors expect. So if you want to wow them… more
Jul 15, 2021
Mike Davis, newly promoted president and COO of CORT, describes part of the industry’s recovery process as being akin to walking into a child’s toy room. There are a bunch of stuffed animals, games and other odds and ends. The only thing missing is the floor, which is buried under the mess. Behind the scenes, as trade shows and events regain their foothold, is an ongoing clean-up process. When done correctly, there are fewer items to step on and clear paths forward. Less clutter and more room for movement, in other words.
It is along those same lines Davis takes on added responsibilities at… more
Jul 14, 2021
Doing more with less is nothing new for event planners. But with so many mitigating factors leading to uncertainty up to the big day, the cost of doing business isn’t going to shrink — even if your budget has.
The world is reopening but the people in it are not the same as before the pandemic. Travel is a novelty again, but working from home has become an expectation rather than a perk. Results also show remote working didn’t limit productivity, which is music to CEO’s ears but also raises the eyebrows of CFOs when a worker seeks permission to attend a conference or trade show in person.
“… more
Jul 14, 2021
A former eighth grade math teacher, Erica Bishaf is used to trying to quiet a loud room while trying to make equations add up to grand totals. Little did she know that experience, practically a lifetime ago, was a preliminary course to founding her own company.
Campfire Social, launched in March by the Chicago-based Bishaf, is designed to maximize the value of associations. Described as a social networking site meets SaaS e-commerce platform, it is based upon the idea that many associations are not using their vast potential to monetize connections and build bigger and better networks.… more
Jul 13, 2021
Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of Reed Jewelry Group, is ready to meet like it’s 2019. At JCK & Luxury, returning to The Venetian Resort & Sands Expo in Las Vegas this August, she’ll get close to her wish.
The dates are different than usual, and so the floor layouts have been redesigned, but Bachmann is keen to emphasize that it will pretty much be business as usual.
“After over a year without JCK in-person events, we are thrilled to welcome the jewelry industry back to JCK this summer,” Bachmann said.
It appears to be a big reunion. More than 1,500 exhibitors have registered… 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