Trade Show Companies Give Back to Their Communities

The trade show industry has a history of being generous to its surrounding communities, and a few companies recently have lent a helping hand to those in need.

SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., continues to be a strong supporter of Long Island Cares, the nonprofit organization based in the same town and founded by the late Harry Chapin, which brings together resources to benefit the hungry on Long Island and meet other vital humanitarian needs.

Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo Brings Industry Together

The 2016 Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo was held Aug. 28-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The show has been running for 80 years, first as part of the California Restaurant Association, and currently with Urban Expositions.

“Our show is designed for anyone who is looking to learn about new trends in the industry,” said Ron Mathews, vice president, Urban Expositions. “But the show is also great for gaining knowledge on business tactics and growth. We cover both the art of menu preparation and cooking and the science of business profitability.”

Sluggish Macro Economy Leads to Slower Growth in Trade Show Industry

Still marking the 24th consecutive quarter of growth, the overall trade show industry’s upward trajectory has slowed down some during the second quarter of 2016.

Mirroring the sluggish macro economy and declining corporate profits, the trade show industry’s performance, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a modest year-on-year gain of 1.6 percent in Q2 of this year, compared with 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

Lessons from NAD Conference Make Phoenix a More Deaf-friendly City

Frontline employees from Phoenix’s visitor industry now are better equipped to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals thanks to the city’s recent hosting of the 53rd Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference.

In advance of the conference, which was held at the Phoenix Convention Center July 5-9, the National Association of the Deaf teamed with deaffriendly to conduct a two-hour workshop focused on deaf-friendly customer service.

Top Five Shows Chosen for TSNN’s “Best of Show” Award: It’s Time to Vote Now!

Trade Show News Network is excited to announce the five finalists for our TSNN “Best of Show” awards. We asked the shows to simply tell us why they felt their show was ‘best’, and the ones below exemplified innovation in the trade show industry.

Now, they need all of YOU to vote for which one you think deserves to be named the overall BEST show. The overall winner will be announced at the TSNN Awards Oct. 29 in Atlantic City, N.J,

TSNN Awards Speaker Line Up Includes ESPN NFL Analyst, Miss America, Trade Show Thought Leaders

When the TSNN Awards kicks off Oct. 28-30 in Atlantic City, N.J., attendees will have the opportunity to hear from not only a bevy of high-profile trade show industry speakers, but also a retired NFL star quarterback and ESPN analyst, a top-ranked talk show host and the reigning Miss America.

Ron Jaworksi, nicknamed “Jaws”, will be the keynote speaker during the TSNN Awards Education Conference Oct. 29 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Bonnier Acquires Sand Sports Super Show

Bonnier Corporation, which publishes dozens of magazines including “Field and Stream”, “Outdoor Life” and “Motorcyclist”, to name a few, has acquired the Sand Sports Super Show, a sand sports trade show and consumer expo.

The acquisition solidifies Bonnier’s leadership in the off-road, sand sports and motorsports segments, complementing the company’s repertoire of r publications and events geared toward enthusiast audiences.

Urban Expositions Buys LeftField Media, Portfolio of Consumer-focused Events

Urban Expositions snagged another property for its burgeoning portfolio – LeftField Media – which has several consumer events around the United States. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition will provide LeftField increased capital and infrastructure, while offering Urban Expositions, a Clarion Events Company, new expertise and market reach in B2C events.

LeftField Media was started in 2014 by New York Comic Con founder Greg Topalian and the senior leadership at Business Journals Inc. - Britton Jones, Mac Brighton, and Sharon Enright.

ProMat & MODEX Evolved Along with Supply Chain Technology

The first National Material Handling Show launched by the Materials Handling Industry (MHI) in 1948 was a result of new methods used to transport goods during World War II. That first show in Cleveland had 60,000 net square feet and approximately 3,000 attendees.

During the early years, the annual event moved around to various ‘industrial’ locations, including Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Chicago, Baltimore, and San Francisco. Detroit’s show in 1974 was the first to hit

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