News
Aug 02, 2016
TSNN’s annual report on the Top 250 Trade Shows is an industry standard that is used by trade show producers to benchmark show performance and as a resource to industry suppliers.
Bear Analytics and TSNN have now taken the rich Trade Show performance dataset and created a series of Top 250 performance dashboards that allow users to interact with the data, draw comparisons, and explore the trends driving the industry’s top Trade Shows.
“The TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list ranks the top shows by net square footage,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Bear Analytics was able to take this… more
Aug 02, 2016
Emerald Expositions has acquired The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) from M&M Gift Shows.
Started in 2000 by Susan Mills and Jerry Mayer, IGES now is one of the largest gatherings of wholesale souvenir, resort and gift buyers in the United States.
The show encompasses two events – IGES and The Souvenir Super Show (SSS), the latter focusing on custom souvenirs.
Both take place concurrently in November each year at two locations in eastern Tennessee - Pigeon Forge and Sevierville - which are only seven miles apart.
“For the longest time we’ve had great respect for the… more
Aug 01, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) is accepting nominations for its 20 Under 30 program, which affords young professional exhibitions and events organizers, who may not be supported by their companies, the opportunity to attend Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition held 6-8 December in Anaheim, Calif.
The 20 Under 30 program provides education for professional growth in the exhibitions and events industry and helps program participants become better, more productive employees.
It is sponsored by the Austin Convention and… more
Aug 01, 2016
NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, will see a significant uptick of international presence on its showfloor when it opens in a few weeks at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.
The show, owned by Emerald Expositions, will see a whopping a 73 percent increase in the number of international companies represented on the exhibit floor, as well as a 10 percent increase in the total number of countries represented.
Of those international companies, almost 50 percent will be presenting at NY NOW for the first time.
“NY NOW has always had an extensive international presence… more
Aug 01, 2016
This year, the International Association of Venue Managers leadership made three distinct decisions that have changed the associations’ course and has its members excited.
The first decision was the hiring of a new president and CEO - the long-standing, forward-thinking industry leader Brad Mayne, CFE.
The other two, critical decisions are the interwoven “Re-Brand” and “Conference Strategy” initiatives, both of which have been a year in the making.
“It was essential that the new IAVM brand have many fingerprints on it—and it does.” said Lauren Wanski, design manager with Gensler’s brand… more
Jul 31, 2016
Vinnie Polito has spent more than 25 years in senior leadership positions in the trade show industry, including nine with Reed Exhibitions.
During his career, he’s had two international postings, launched events on five continents and developed highly specialized conferences in technology, life sciences and healthcare. Polito also is the past chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and a recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, in 2014.
He currently co-Owns mdg with Kimberly Hardcastle. mdg is the tradeshow industry’s… more
Jul 30, 2016
Smart City Networks has received final approval for a public-safety distributed antenna system it installed last year at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Smart City Networks partnered with system integration firm Connectivity Wireless Solutions (CWS) to design, install, manage and commission the customized, turnkey system that ensures first responders can maintain communication with each other in case of an emergency.
“Bringing together large numbers of sports fans or conventioneers creates critical public safety concerns,” Smart City Networks President Mark Haley said. “First… more
Jul 28, 2016
In the past few weeks alone, terrorist activities have wreaked havoc around the world at places ranging from an airport to a nightclub to an outside festival to even inside a church.
With the need for strengthened security for venues serving the trade show industry in mind, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, along with the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, have given their full support to provide industry guidelines and standards created by the industry, for the industry, to the Safety Act Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Convention… more
Jul 27, 2016
U.K.-based Tarsus Group’s 2016 first-half started off positive, with like-for-like revenues up, compared with 2015.
Tarsus continued to execute its "Quickening the Pace" strategy, which is focused on accelerating the pace of financial returns to shareholders.
The Group made good progress in strengthening, investing in and scaling up its portfolio of events, resulting in organic revenue and buyer growth across the portfolio of 11 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
"Trading across our business has been encouraging in the first half of 2016,” said Tarsus Group Managing Director Douglas Emslie… more
Jul 27, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
Meeting and trade show organizers work tirelessly to get attendees to their events, so once they are there, engaging them is extremely important. Keeping exhibitors and sponsors happy with strong traffic on the floor is one reason; but potentially even more important is so that attendees leave with positive feelings about their experience, want to return in the future and become evangelists for the event’s brand.
Event experts weighed in and shared their ideas for keeping attendees focused on the event:
“Events have so many scheduled events, it's often nice to offer a few… 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