News
Jun 27, 2022
More than 51,000 foodservice professionals flocked to Chicago's McCormick Place May 21-24 for the first time since 2019 to happily reconnect in person and indulge in this year's National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (National Restaurant Association Show), the premier event to learn about foodservice technology innovations, unique ingredients and emerging trends in the restaurant industry.
“The 2022 show was one of the most anticipated events of the year, and after three long years, we couldn’t wait to bring the foodservice community back together to celebrate the… more
Jun 24, 2022
Mark Johnson, chairman and CEO of Minneapolis-based The STAR Groupe, has acquired leading trade show and corporate event marketing education company Exhibitor Media Group, publisher of the award-winning EXHIBITOR magazine and producer of EXHIBITORLIVE, the national conference and exhibition for trade show and corporate event marketers.
As the founder of Star Exhibits and Environments in 1993, Johnson made a strategic decision following the COVID-19 pandemic to establish a holding company dedicated to serving the face-to-face marketing industry.
“The trade show industry was significantly… more
Jun 24, 2022
Leading digital engagement platform JUNO has secured $10 million in Series A funding, led by global software investor Insight Partners, that is aimed at advancing the company’s mission to serve networked communities, ultimately allowing users to engage in integrated physical and digital worlds.
Human connection is critical to building communities around events, whether virtually or in-person, according to Josh Hotsenpiller, founder and CEO of JUNO, adding that JUNO is one platform for all digital engagement—networking, community, events and learning.
“Digital is what’s next for communities… more
Jun 23, 2022
Three is not a crowd when it comes to the leadership team at Huntington Place. While female executives and general managers are becoming more and more common at convention centers across North America, few U.S. facilities can claim an all-female leadership team made up of three dynamic industry veterans: Lisa Canada, chairwoman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and the DRCFA Arts Committee; Karen Totaro, general manager; and Becky Bixby, assistant general manager. Bringing decades of experience to their roles, the powerful trio has made Detroit’s downtown… more
Jun 22, 2022
An event is a culmination of months of meticulous planning. Everything—from laying out the plan to conducting dry runs to post-event marketing—falls in the event planner’s arsenal. The result? Stress, stress and more stress.
But what if you had someone to share the stress (read load)? That would be much better, right? Well, that's where a designated client experience team comes into play. This team is available with you throughout the event providing real-time support and post-event reporting and analytics. Here are five reasons to have a client experience team in your green room.
#1… more
Jun 21, 2022
As its second major in-person convention since the onset of the pandemic, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association’s (AAHOA) annual AAHOA Convention & Trade Show (AAHOACON) once again converged to unite the who’s who of the hotel industry for four days of networking, learning, deal-making and cultural celebration.
Held April 12-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the lively expo and conference drew more than 6,000 registered attendees and 515 exhibiting companies as well as innovative industry professionals, prominent politicians, business leaders and entertainers serving as… more
Jun 20, 2022
Two new wild bird species were recently identified at the Javits Center’s nearly seven-acre green roof, which has evolved into a unique wildlife sanctuary since its genesis in 2014. The new birds, discovered this spring by New York City Audubon Society, Killdeer and Ovenbird, now join 35 other local and migratory bird species, five bat species and thousands of insects, including 300,000 honeybees that regularly visit or inhabit the rooftop sanctuary on Manhattan’s West Side.
Led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation (NYCCDC), the construction of the 6.75-acre green roof,… more
Jun 17, 2022
The first IMEX Frankfurt since 2019 proved to be a momentous occasion for the global meetings and events industry, as professionals gathered with colleagues to celebrate the return of events, reconnect, learn from industry peers and conduct business.
The show, held May 31 to June 2 at Messe Frankfurt, drew approximately 9,000 attendees, including nearly 3,000 buyers, and 2,300 exhibiting companies.
“It’s clearly been a great week for our global industry,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group. “The show was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, and it felt good to be back… more
Jun 17, 2022
Celebrating 25 years of innovation and trendsetting in the confectionary and snack industries, the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo drew nearly 16,000 total attendees, including nearly 700 exhibitors and more than 110 exhibitors in the Supplier Showcase, to Chicago’s McCormick Place May 23-26.
This year’s show spanned 4.5 acres of candy and snack innovation and focused on the show’s evolution over the past 25 years and its history of offering new confectionery and snack products, actionable insights and opportunities for members of the industry to connect.
“There’s no better way to celebrate… more
Jun 16, 2022
Event tech powerhouse MeetingPlay + Aventri (MPAV), which merged earlier this year to provide a comprehensive event planning and management solution for virtual, in-person and hybrid events, purchased eventcore, a leading event registration platform for organizations looking for customized solutions for the most complex events.
The acquisition positions MPAV as a premium platform for delivering innovative and impactful experiences through the entire event lifecycle. Known for pushing the envelope on technology advancements, MPAV provides a suite of premium solutions, including custom mobile… 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