Global Exhibitions Day Is Almost Here: Are You Ready?

June 7, 2016

Jason Popp

Jason Popp- Jason Popp is Executive Vice President, International at GES. With more than 20 years of global business experience and 10 years with GES, he leads businesses outside of North America.

The first-ever Global Exhibitions Day is right around the corner.

This new event was inspired by Exhibitions Day, now in its third year, in which industry members meet with legislators in Washington, D.C., to advocate for events and exhibitions industry. The idea was so powerful that organizations representing the international trade show and exhibitions industry came together to take things a step further with a Global Exhibitions Day, slated for June 8.

On that day, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry will host an international meeting of the minds where achievements will be shared, new developments in the field will be revealed, and conversations surrounding the industry’s future will be had.

At GES, we are excited to be involved! We’ll have four sales leaders in Washington to meet with U.S. representatives to create the right awareness among lawmakers of how our industry positively affects their constituents’ local economies.

GED16 is a community of events that come in all shapes and sizes, rather than one big blowout show in a centralized venue. After all, upward of 700,000 people directly work in the exhibitions industry — so it makes perfect sense to have the event be as accessible as possible to professionals across the globe. With so many unique opinions, innovations, and perspectives being shared, the event is bound to spark countless new ideas that will fuel the industry’s future.

How can you get involved?

Social media and online communities are the primary drivers of Global Exhibitions Day. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are already abuzz with discussions, photos, live videos, and more. It’s easy to get involved — just search the #GED16 and #ExhibitionsDay hashtags, and add your thoughts to ongoing discussions. Or, you could even plan your own event to stream in real time to the rest of the GED16 community. Also, consider spreading the word by retweeting and sharing our social media posts on the big day.

GED16 is a truly massive international occasion. From France to Mexico to India to Russia, the exhibitions industry is represented in all its glorious diversity. In Hong Kong, for example, a conference and gala dinner will be hosted by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association. And in Germany, the UFI International Summer University is holding a three-day learning event that will bring top executives and young minds together.

GED16 is set to be an inspirational day for all members of the exhibitions industry, and it is likely to be the first of many of its kind. The event’s organizers are alert to how this year’s happenings are received, and they are ready to build upon those experiences for years to come.

Get ready to celebrate what is poised to be the biggest day of the year for the exhibitions industry — and don’t forget to get involved! #GED16 and #ExhibitionsDay.

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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