Aug 30, 2017
Mobile app technology can be an incredible tool for show organizers, especially those platforms that help event professionals streamline their events. As a result, you don’t have to look far these days to find a slew of mobile apps specifically designed to help improve all aspects of the event planning and execution ecosystem.
Designed to simplify the attendance tracking process for educational sessions of all sizes, Expo Logic has created TrackPod, an interactive session-scanning mobile app that uses the camera on a mobile device to keep track of session attendees.
“This app is expected… more
Aug 30, 2017
After Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas Coast and spurred days of record rainfall resulting in deadly flooding conditions, the doors of Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center opened and currently houses more than 9,000 evacuees.
In addition, Houston’s NRG Center opened last night as a shelter, and the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas also is mobilized so it, too, will be able to take in people as needed.
Visit Houston released the following statement:
“Over these last few days, the residents of this great city have shown the true Heart of Houston, and… more
Aug 29, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events unveiled a new direction for the association after intense board level discussions and approval of a new strategic plan through 2025.
“IAEE’s redefined direction is based on two years of strategic planning with the board of directors and a futurist asking tough questions on what the association and the industry can and should look like in the future and how to remain relevant to our stakeholders,” said IAEE president and CEO, David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.
The strategic plan looks ahead to 2025 and focuses on three pillars:… more
Aug 29, 2017
August was a busy month for hiring and promotions in the trade show industry, with venues, show organizers and general service contractors all adding to their ranks.
The Expo Group has brought on Toby Purdy as Chief Sales Officer.
“Growth at The Expo Group is a constant. We are accelerating at a fast pace as the market moves to overcome the status quo and understands we can solve their challenges with compelling experiences and investment in growing client revenues,” said The Expo Group President and COO Randy Pekowski.
He added, “Toby is the right leader for our growth and customer… more
Aug 29, 2017
Buzz. All brands need it and events are no exception. Attendees put a lot of faith into their peers’ opinions, putting a level of trust in their perspectives that is higher than any brand could hope to earn independently.
“Brand advocates have become increasingly important within the marketing mix for all events,” said Ed Several, senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions. “Today, the customers we serve often look to influencers within their industry to understand how best to participate in an event.”
Renee Lewis, an event designer who works with the Council of Engineering and Scientific… more
Aug 29, 2017
ASAE has booked Johnny P to be the musical entertainment at this year’s Power of A-Summit Awards Dinner Oct. 4 at the National Building Museum.
Jonny P is a Bronx-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who plays soul music. His songs are rooted in the sounds of the past, but also incorporates the present with disarmingly direct arrangements and a smooth vocal style.
“He just wrapped up his first role in the film Detroit by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), and screenwriter Mark Boal, a fictionalized chronicle of the Detroit riots of 1967. In April… more
Aug 28, 2017
While some exhibit manufacturing companies might occasionally tout their fair share of sustainable practices, others are going the extra mile to help alleviate their impact on the environment.
One such company is Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, which has been carrying out intensive recycling efforts for almost a decade in an ongoing effort to divert as much waste as possible from landfill.
Specializing in the manufacture of portable modular and custom modular exhibit and display products, graphics and solutions, Orbus is a privately owned group of companies comprising companies and… more
Aug 25, 2017
Informa Exhibitions’ WWETT, a wastewater management show, and the World Pet Association’s SuperZoo snagged top honors for fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage, respectively, at the 2017 TSNN Awards Aug. 21-23 in New Orleans.
The Rivergate Room at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was packed with show organizers representing the Top 25 fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage during the Aug. 22 celebration, as well as winners of the TSNN Best of Show, Best of Tech Innovation, Industry Icon Award and The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year Awards… more
Aug 25, 2017
Mahaffey Fabric Structures acquired more than $24.2 million in assets from Los Angeles-based Classic Party Rentals, including tents, structure frame, fabric pieces and specialty structures.
With this purchase, the temporary structures solutions provider now boasts an expanded network of both personnel and products to cover large-scale activations, corporate events, festivals, sporting events, film productions and other special events nationwide.
“With the addition of more than 3.1 million square feet of tent and structure inventory, this acquisition will be an industry game-changer,” said… more
Aug 25, 2017
Messe Frankfurt’s websites are undergoing a widespread makeover designed to provide a fresh new look and improved functionality for a better user experience.
The show organizers’ internet portal, messefrankfurt.com, already has undergone its transformation.
Relaunched on Aug. 22, the revamped site sports large visual elements, a user-friendly approach and utilizes responsive web design to ensure page optimization for all devices.
“The messefrankfurt.com portal is the digital gateway for creating business opportunities for our customers,” said Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe… 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