News

Aug 18, 2022
Despite the fact that summer tends to be a slower season for the trade show industry, event-related organizations across the country are sizzling with activity, busily forming new business partnerships and acquisitions as they look toward a robust fall and beyond. Take a look! ASM Global Global venue and event strategy and management leader ASM Global has formed a sustainability partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consultant for the hospitality, sports and event industries. Announced on Aug. 17, the multi-year action plan will enable ASM Global facility owners… more
Aug 16, 2022
Exclusively Sponsored by SmartSource The past two years have transformed how we work, interact, and hold events. Hybrid and remote work options have taken a firm hold in the professional sphere alongside more traditional in-person work environments. In the same way, in-person events transformed into virtual ones, and while we have seen a shift back to in-person meetings, conferences, and trade shows, virtual components and novel innovations remain. In addition to the familiar structure of trade shows, conferences, and other events, innovations we forged out of necessity during the pandemic… more
Aug 16, 2022
While the trade show industry tends to slow down during the dog days of summer, that hasn’t stopped event-related organizations from welcoming established industry professionals to their teams while rewarding hard-working staff with elevated titles and responsibilities. Check them out! MAD Event Management  Full-service event planning and management company MAD Event Management LLC (MAD) recently partnered with award-winning journalist Danica Tormohlen to drive content creation for UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the wider business events industry. Tormohlen is… more
Aug 15, 2022
Boasting an influx of new buyers and first-time brands from across the U.S., along with a bevy of strong order-writing, the June edition of the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market at Dallas Market Center set a new record as the B2B trade center’s largest summer show in more than a decade.  Held June 22-28, the seven-day marketplace for gift, home décor, lighting, holiday, floral, gourmet, housewares and fashion welcomed 2,000 exhibitors and 13,000 buyers from across the U.S. and Canada as well as Central and South America.  “We were extremely pleased with the attendance, especially among… more
Aug 14, 2022
The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) has named Vinnie (Vincent) Polito as its next CEO, with his firm, VP International, chosen to take over as the management company for the organization. Polito will be replacing David Audrain, CEO of Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo), who has run the association with his team for the past seven years. The selection was recommended by the SISO Executive Committee, which undertook the selection process. The recommendation was unanimously approved by SISO's Board at its Aug. 11 meeting in Oklahoma City, held in conjunction with the… more
Aug 12, 2022
Event technology innovations have been transforming the industry for years now, and the plethora of developments is showing no signs of slowing down. Following is a roundup of recent happenings in event tech. Launch Shift Go DAHLIA+Agency has developed the first-of-its-kind workshop geared specifically for tech companies and agencies seeking a thorough understanding of the U.S. events and conferences industry and a solid go-to-market strategy. Launch Shift Go is a two-week online course geared toward helping event technology executives and entrepreneurs understand and advance in the… more
Aug 12, 2022
Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB) returned to New York City in June, gathering thousands of the beverage industry professionals for an energetic show at its new home: Industry City, a vibrant creative hub with studios, warehouses, event spaces, dining and retail along the Brooklyn waterfront. Produced by RX, the two-day show set the bar high with thousands of attendees and exhibitors, a wealth of business opportunities, pioneering sustainability initiatives, and innovative education and activations that celebrated the future of liquid culture. "We were so excited to welcome everyone to the show's… more
Aug 11, 2022
Riding a wave of optimism following a momentous IMEX Frankfurt 2022, held May 31 to June 2, and being honored in June with the AEO Excellence Awards Best International Trade Show-Americas for its resoundingly successful IMEX America 2021 in Las Vegas last November, IMEX Group has set its sights on its next grand gathering: IMEX America 2022. The show is set for Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the second year in a row. After a few tumultuous years for a global events industry reeling from the pandemic, both exhibitors and buyers have been feeling their way back into the… more
Aug 09, 2022
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have teamed up to launch The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), a new annual hospitality trade show and conference scheduled for June 27-29, 2023 at The Venetian Las Vegas.  Designed to be a comprehensive one-stop-shop for hospitality leaders to meet, learn and conduct business across the entire hospitality ecosystem, the new three-day event is designed to reach AHLA’s expansive membership across all segments of the industry, including leading service providers and suppliers, hotel owners and management companies, and senior… more
Aug 08, 2022
New York’s Javits Center is sharing its bounty of vegetables from its new one-acre rooftop farm through the creation of Jacob’s Harvest, a new line of pickled produce. The bottled veggies will be distributed to customers and visitors to raise awareness about the venue’s roof-to-table culinary program, which incorporates various crops being grown on the farm into customized meals served during events on-site.  According to Javits Center officials, the new produce line marks the facility’s latest element of its ambitious and progressive sustainability program that includes New York State’s… 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