Blogs
Jan 16, 2013
Hybrid Meetings are here to stay!
There has been a lot of discussion, and worry, about how online content would impact the meetings industry. When the internet first exploded on the scene there were those who predicted the demise of the live meeting. Would people invest the time and money to travel to conventions if they could see the presentations on their computers?
However, in-person gatherings are never going away, as humans are experiential beings who desire to share what they are learning and doing with others. In fact, the meetings industry is expanding again following the couple of… more
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Jan 12, 2013
There’s no doubt in my mind that it takes a strong, outspoken and extremely intelligent leader to command an organization like the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The International Consumer Electronics Show is the largest showcase in the technology industry, and when it comes to consumer electronics, they ARE the leader. Last year’s show boasted more than 153,000 attendees who interacted with 3,100 exhibitors covering more than 1.8 million square feet.
Who does it take to lead an organization of such size and caliber?
Adweekdescribes Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA… more
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Dec 31, 2012
I am getting on my soap box as we close out 2012. I see blog after blog talking about the importance of follow up of leads after a trade show. This should be rather obvious, but clearly a topic where we continue to fall down.
Why go to a trade show and collect leads if you sit on them for months at a time? I am going to assume we all have the good intention of following up, and something is happening to prevent that. And, since we are all in holiday mode, with parties a go go, I am going to use that analogy to highlight three areas where I think the issue… more
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Dec 31, 2012
As the year comes to an end, we can’t help but think about what we want to achieve in 2013, both personally and professionally. People often want to start fresh each year, and the top resolutions are almost always about healthy living and balanced life styles. As event planners, we can take a lesson from this and make an effort to incorporate wellness into our meetings.
So where do you start? The first and most obvious place to begin is your menus. Are they healthy and well balanced with assorted proteins, vegetables, and fruits, or are they sugar-loaded, carbohydrate-rich belly bombs… more
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Dec 25, 2012
Thanks to increasing commercialization, the advertising and marketing industries are contributing ever-larger volumes of waste each year. Marketing collateral and display stands use enormous amounts of paper. A considerable chunk of glossy brochures and handouts are not always properly recycled and use non-sustainable printing processes and chemicals harmful to the environment.
Apart from wasting trees, the manufacturing process also carries a large carbon footprint. In fact, trade expo centers like the US and Middle East can emit up to 200,000 tons of carbon a year on the production of… more
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Dec 11, 2012
I literally have been to five cities in the past seven weeks, including holding the TSNN Awards in Louisville, reporting on two energy-related trade shows in Houston and Pittsburgh and going to last week’s International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! in Orlando.
I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am an extremely fortunate person to work in the trade show industry and to wake up every day excited to do my job.
The No. 1 reason I love the trade show industry, by far, is the people.
This industry has such amazing people working in it, many of whom I… more
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Dec 08, 2012
If your organization is hosting a conference or trade show you need to ensure that your staff members are fully participating. If your people are corralled in the back of the room or in a side office, then you are missing out on the real value long-term the event can bring.
Sure, someone has to work the check-in table and take care of other house-keeping issues (and emergencies), but too often the association staff or company employees are not part of the community that is created when we bring people together. Worse, sometimes the executives or sales staff get to mingle with… more
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Dec 08, 2012
Yes, we are at the end of the year, where we look at the trends that our industry has embraced in 2012. Some are cool, some not so much. So, let’s see what’s what.
1. Digital Sales Material – thank God this finally caught on, and let’s hope this isn’t a trend! My readers should know by now that digital marketing is the wave of the future, and NOT a trend. Get on this bandwagon before you get run over. You can send material instantly, you know your attendee has it, you can track to see if they share it, if they use any clicks to your… more
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Dec 01, 2012
Twitteris an ideal medium to drive significantly more traffic to your website. It allows you to reach out to audiences that you would not cover with your existing database. The first step, however, is to collect new and relevant followers in a systematic way. How can you do that?
As long as you don‘t have tens of thousands of followers, you might want to focus on 4 core activities on Twitter:
Here are 15 useful tips that work particularly well for event organizers:
Determine a short and unique hashtag (e.g. #wnc11 for World Newspaper Congress 2011) and use it in your own tweets… more
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Dec 01, 2012
In a previous blog post, I wrote about the importance of sustainability in event planning and marketing. With a little determination and effort, it’s easy to make the promotion of your event more eco-friendly.
So, how exactly do you go green with your marketing? Start out by doing your homework. There are multiple resources available to help you, including the Green Meetings Industry Council, the Convention Industry Council’s Green Meetings Report, and the EPA’s Green Meetings and Events Guide.
Analyze your event, consider your strengths and weaknesses and determine what… more
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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