Charles Olentine
Charlie Olentine, CEO of Consult NC Inc, has over 25 years experience in B2B publishing and from 2004 to 2016 managed the Top 50 show - International Production & Processing Expo. colentine@consult-nc.com
The Problem of Linear Thinking
June 10, 2016
Your old road is rapidly agin'; please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand for the times they are a-changin'. Bob Dylan, The Times Are A-Changin’
One of my favorite sweathirts dates back to the early 1980’s. On the front it states “Insufficient memory at this time”. The phrase is one that old-timers in the computer evolution feared in the early days of personal computers. I can still remember plunking down two grand for the Osborne 1, the first commercially successful “portable” personal computer.
It weighed 23.5 lb and ran the CPM operating system. This state-of-the-art machine featured dual 5¼-inch, single-sided floppy drives, a 4 MHz Z80 CPU, 64 kilobytes memory and a 5-inch monochrome CRT display. At the time, it was revolutionary. I still wear that old sweat shirt but now the slogan better fits a person living in an “active adult” community (translated Del Webb).
What reminded me of how far we have come was a keynote speaker, Peter Diamandis, CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation, at the 2016 Modex show which I recently attended. In his presentation, he pointed out how fast change is occurring in our society.
He speculated that 40 percent of today’s Fortune 500 companies will be gone in the next 10 years. Technology has set the stage for changes in our personal lives and corporate culture. He challenged the audience to abandon linear thinking, such as the willingness to approach a process of 10 percent annual improvement as opposed to taking an aggressive view of doubling the annual rate.
Looking at the exponential changes in processing technology, what was once thought of Buck Rogers pie-in the sky is happening at a very rapid rate. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and any number of advances are here and now, and the rate of disruptive technology is continuing its exponential growth.
What brought me down to earth during Diamandis’ presentation was a realization that over the years I, an early techie, had become satisfied with the incremental growth mentality of linear thinking. As a manager of a major trade show, I had become satisfied with maintaining the status quo in tough times and shooting for steady predictable growth in good times.
Technology, new trade show business models and a rising generation of young people who have throughout their young lives dealt with exponential change present a multitude of resources for changing how we run trade shows.
Show managers tend to avoid confrontation and disruption but we need to bring in insightful, young minds to help shake us out of our old routines and to challenge us to take chances. The next generation of show managers have a completely different experiential background and we need to use that to our advantage, even though it will make us uncomfortable.
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
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