Venue Updates: New Center in Owensboro, Ky., Headquarter Hotel in Irving, Texas, Houston CC Upgrade

With construction projects stalled for several years during the recession, things are picking up speed again with hotel builds, upgrades of existing centers and new centers opening up.

The Irving (Texas) Convention Center at Las Colinas has been greenlit for a Westin Hotels & Resorts-branded new headquarter hotel.

The 350-room, full-service headquarter ICCLC Westin will be located adjacent to the convention center and connected by sky bridge.

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Signs on in Las Vegas Through 2024

For two weeks every December, more than 175,000 attendees flock to Las Vegas to take part in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and not that event has signed on to stay in the city through 2024.

The agreement was made between after unanimous votes by the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors.

Dwell on Design 2015

Los Angeles Convention Center
May 29th, 2015 - May 31st, 2015
Dwell on Design

Detroit Doubles Room Bookings for 2014, Snags Several New Citywides

When Detroit’s bankruptcy made headlines last year, the local hospitality, meetings and conventions community continued to work hard to spread the word about what they already knew: Detroit’s events business was not only alive and well, but also it was thriving.

The Cobo Center was in the midst of a $220 million renovation that included expanded space, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Detroit River and a new Grand Ballroom, among other renovations.

17th Annual HR Technology® Conference & Expo

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
October 18th, 2015 - October 21st, 2015
HR Technology Conference

2014 HIMSS Taps Hillary Rodham Clinton for Keynote Address

Attendees at the Health Information Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference & Exhibition, coming up at the end of February, will have the opportunity to hear a keynote address delivered by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Clinton, a former secretary of state, U.S. senator from New York and First Lady of the United States, will take the stage Feb. 26.  

The HIMSS event runs Feb. 23-27 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.

3 Ways to Avoid the Drain of a Tradeshow

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Sun, 01/26/2014 - 12:33

Do you and your employees dread working at trade shows?  You are not the only ones that feel this way, since there is no doubt that working a trade show event can be tiring and draining both physically and mentally.

Chances are your staff does not know what to expect and may feel out of their element.  Tradeshows require long days mixed with lots of small talk with anyone and everyone.  You want your team to stay upbeat, positive, and on their toes throughout the event to ensure you are getting the best ROI but just how will you or your team stay that way?

Make Your 2014 Resolution Aligned With Your Promotional Strategy

Submitted by rwimberly@tsnn.com on Sun, 01/26/2014 - 11:44

I recently read some interesting data on Statistics Brain about New Year’s Resolutions.  By one month, almost half have failed their resolution, and only 8 percent actually maintain and achieve their resolution. 

I am going to give you a new one, whether or not you have made a resolution (and nearly 40 percent of us don’t even bother with one):  align your promotional item with your event marketing strategy in 2014.

Now, you may wonder why I am asking you to do this.  How about for these reasons:

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NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
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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