Blogs
Jan 18, 2022
With the continually rising impacts of climate change, the demand for sustainable energy alternatives is more pressing than ever. Every industry faces a range of challenges when going green. Without a thoughtful strategy, even staging an event can contribute excessively to emissions. Event preparation is complex to begin with, especially with the new imperative of powering events in a greener way. Thanks to new technologies, there are several ways that events can achieve this goal. Whether it be a concert, a sporting event, a trade show or a conference, events can rely on new sustainable… more
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Jan 13, 2022
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the use, or misuse, of QR code data by marketers. It’s a valid argument, albeit familiar, in the context of data privacy. Most people are aware that QR codes aren’t new, but they are back in the spotlight. This is due to a variety of reasons, the top ones being the acceleration of QR codes during the pandemic and the eventual dissolution of third-party cookies.
Throughout the pandemic, QR codes proved to be the easiest way to conduct touchless transactions such as ordering food or paying a bill. Now, they’re a primary way for managing how attendees… more
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Jan 11, 2022
Regardless of what type of event you’re holding, you need to meet your registration goals. While events may continue to look different for the foreseeable future, we have found many of our solid marketing tactics and strategies are still effective and will help move the needle in this evolving event landscape. Here are our top tips to increase your registration:
Set and amplify multiple deadlines
Use rate increases to drive urgency, incentivize and to create micro-campaigns within the overall campaign cycle. With a long campaign cycle, customers can easily lose interest and engagement, but… more
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Jan 06, 2022
Pandemic-related shifts in both company protocols and consumer behaviors have forever changed the ways in which we come together for industry events such as trade shows and seminars, or consumer marketing events like expos, conferences and festivals. The unprecedented global shutdowns have reinforced the need for in-person events, while simultaneously creating new challenges for event organizers. Achieving your event goals is now more difficult than ever. But when these obstacles are properly overcome, in-person events can also be more rewarding than ever. In the fine jewelry industry, we had… more
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Jan 04, 2022
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most individuals and businesses couldn’t imagine hosting an event with in-person and remote attendees. According to a recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association, however, three out of five respondents expected to host at least one hybrid meeting in 2021. This major shift underscores the importance of a solid content strategy for hybrid events.
Everyone is craving more information in a world of quick hits and short bits of knowledge, so your event content needs to stay on message and to the point. At the start of the pandemic, event hosts tried to… more
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Dec 28, 2021
Viva, in various languages, means long live, acclaim, support, live voice and more. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe the sentiment internationally around the industry—especially in these last few weeks.
For nearly two years, the events industry has changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, due to new protocols of vaccination, masking and more, live events are coming back, and November 9-11 saw the first major international industry conference in nearly two years in Las Vegas, attended by more than 15,000 event professionals.
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group,… more
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Dec 21, 2021
Hybrid events are not a fad, they’re a trend that has emerged out of the toughest crisis the MICE industry has ever seen. According to a recent eventsforce report, nearly 60% of association meeting planners are organizing hybrid events in Q4 2021 or for Q1 2022.
As the macro environment around COVID-19 and international travel restrictions remain fluid, it’s clear that the pendulum might have swung too heavily towards live, in-person events in Q4 2021. A more likely outcome will see the events industry settle into a happy medium, where the hybrid model maintains popularity.
There has… more
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Dec 17, 2021
These are “in-between” times. After the catastrophic 2020, our industry saw more reason to be hopeful in 2021. This year, markets began to reopen around the world, but not with the full reopening we had hoped for as we continue to be challenged by new waves and new variants of COVID. We are still facing an outlook of “stop and go” for show organizers, the most difficult situation possible for our industry. But as we head towards the end of the year, we have passed a remarkable tipping point: Less than a year after the first vaccination campaigns began, more than half the world’s population… more
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Dec 16, 2021
No matter the level of education, years of industry experience or how well they articulate themselves, women need to continue carving their path in the exhibit and events world. I’ve been in this industry for over 15 years, travelled to dozens of cities, worked for multiple organizations (large and small) and there is still an inequality amongst men and women.
In most companies in this sector, female VPs only represent 20-30%, and even less are CEOs. Unfortunately, this stems from the top, and most of the individuals who started the companies were project managers, installers or… more
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Dec 09, 2021
A couple of years ago, it was possible to organize and host a team event in a week. Not ideal, probably challenging, but definitely possible. However, these days, if you want to plan and run a team building event that’s worthy of your team’s time, it’s likely impossible with the current supply chain disruptions.
You’ve no doubt seen the news headlines and most likely been impacted by the chaos of shortages of everything from raw materials to computer chips that are nearing historic levels. Global supply chains have been upended, consumers face delays, and price increases most likely will… 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