Experiential Marketing Summit 2015 Tackled the New Marketing Landscape

More than 1,500 attendees were on hand for the he Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS), held in San Francisco May 11-13, to hear from a wide range of fantastic speakers on new topics and issues facing the industry.  And, it was clear that when it comes to marketing, experimentation has never been more important.

In the morning keynote, CMO of Bacardi, Dima Ivanov discussed how Bacardi reviewed their brand and the customer experience in an effort to get back to the roots of the company.

New Business Contracts: CDS Renews with Massachusetts Dental, Spargo Picks Up American Society of Nephrology, Vision Source Selects Experient

The winter thaw finally has occurred in some parts of the United States and that includes a flurry of new business contracts being signed in the past few months.

The Massachusetts Dental Society extended its contract with its preferred registration partner, Convention Data Services, through 2017.

Under the agreement, CDS will continue to provide full registration services, membership integration, CEU application, lead management and exhibitor services for the annual Yankee Dental Congress.

Los Angeles Convention Center Combats State's Drought Conditions

Running a large facility with thousands of visitors coming through can be a challenge in the middle of one of the most severe droughts on record in the state of California, but that’s the daily reality for the Los Angeles Convention Center.

As a result, LACC officials have implemented several water conservation measures, as well as partnered with LA Green.

“Environmental sustainability is an area of critical importance for the Los Angeles Convention Center,” said Brad Gessner, senior vice president of AEG Facilities and General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Renames Show Xponential

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International has rebranded its industry event for unmanned systems, drones and robotics to Xponential. 

With nearly 600 exhibitors and 8,000 attendees, AUVSI's event attracts leaders in all aspects of the industry, from manufacturers to end users. 

"Xponential encapsulates the tremendous growth and innovation in the unmanned systems industry, as well as the broad societal benefits of the technology," said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. 

IAEE Releases 2014 Public Events Industry Report

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Public Events Council recently released the “Public Events Industry Report: 2014 Results” that covered 22 different sectors.

“The Public Events Industry Report, now in its sixth year, demonstrates that public events are performing as or better than expected," said IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.

New Association for Women in Events Launches

A new association for women who are in the events industry, aptly called the Association of Women in Events, recently launched to connect and empower women in the meetings and events industry.

Founded by Carrie Abernathy, Tamela Blalock, Mas Tadesse Harris, Mary Higham and Kiki Janssens, AWE is a national association based in Washington, D.C., and officially launched March 30.  

American Association for Cancer Research Sets Record Attendance

The 2015 AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting and Exhibition, held April 18–22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, highlighted the latest, most exciting discoveries in every area of cancer research.

The annual meeting attracted a record-breaking 19,250 attendees, which was up 4 percent from last year’s meeting held in San Diego.

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