News

Oct 28, 2015
In response to the rapidly expanding Automechanika Shanghai, a trade fair for automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services, this year’s show, scheduled Dec. 2-5, will be newly located at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai. It will house the enlarged 280,000 square meters of exhibition space, which is a nearly 30 percent increase from last year and completely sold out for the December show. The additional space also will accommodate increased capacity for the approximate 5,300 worldwide exhibitors, an increase of 8 percent from 2014, throughout 11 halls… more
Oct 28, 2015
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) brought together a broad base of DMO industry leaders and thought leaders during the organization’s first-ever Strategic Innovation Summit, held Oct. 7-8 in Dallas. The efforts from this meeting, led by Soren Kaplan of InnovationPoint, built the framework for DMAI’s 2016-2017 Strategic Plan, according to DMAI officials. “We wanted to focus on the core values of the organization: Innovation, Transparency, Responsiveness and in particular Inclusiveness,” said Bob Lander, president and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau and… more
Oct 28, 2015
ITB Asia, the ‘Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, has extended its collaboration with Marina Bay Sands for another three years from 2017 to 2019. The show first signed an agreement with the integrated resort from 2014-2016, where Marina Bay Sands was announced as the official venue and official hotel. The next four editions of ITB Asia will continue to take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands from Oct. 19-21, 2016; Oct. 25-27, 2017; Oct. 17-19, 2018; and Oct. 16-18 2019. “This extension demonstrates our ongoing commitment to take ITB Asia to the next level.… more
Oct 27, 2015
Robert Mesirow, vice president of business operations for CTIA – The Wireless Association, will be stepping down, after 17 years at the association. “I want to thank CTIA, its board members and all of the wireless executives I have collaborated with over the years.  Special thanks to my dedicated team,” Mesirow said. He added, “This Association has been at the forefront of every major mobile event since the inception of the wireless industry, and it’s been a great ride!” Nov. 4 is Mesirow’s last day at CTIA, and he said he will be staying in the industry as well. There was a shakeup in… more
Oct 27, 2015
Just a few weeks before doors open, more than 1,000 companies from nearly 40 countries already have reserved approximately 553,000 net square feet of exhibit space for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2015, making it the second largest trade show floor in the event's 97-year history.  Indoor space has sold out, and a limited amount of outdoor space still is available. IAAPA Attractions Expo is owned and produced by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The exhibitors, including 140 first-timers, will showcase the latest products and innovative services in the… more
Oct 26, 2015
The Miami-based FIME Exhibition & Congress, consistently ranked the No. 1 medical trade show in the United States, was bought by U.K.-based Informa Exhibitions as part of its Life Sciences portfolio. As tracked by the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association, FIME attracts more than 57,000 attendees to its annual event. FIME complements the Group’s existing collection of 22 exhibitions and in excess of 100 conferences across the EMEA and APAC Life Science markets. “The acquisition of FIME will generate substantial value for our customers and partners by driving further product… more
Oct 25, 2015
As event organizers work through the various stages of adoption of technology for managing their trade shows and conferences, they realize significant incremental benefits, including reduced human error, more data integrity, fewer man hours required for data entry, and better, richer data for decision-making. This is especially true for teams managing multiple shows spread over different geographical regions, across different months in the year as well as across many years. Global administration of multiple applications across multiple shows allows organizers to manage all of the applications… more
Oct 25, 2015
As event organizers work through the various stages of adoption of technology for managing their trade shows and conferences, they realize significant incremental benefits, including reduced human error, more data integrity, fewer man hours required for data entry, and better, richer data for decision-making. This is especially true for teams managing multiple shows spread over different geographical regions, across different months in the year as well as across many years. Global administration of multiple applications across multiple shows allows organizers to manage all of the applications… more
Oct 24, 2015
William T. Glasgow Sr., a 65-year veteran of the trade show industry, passed away peacefully in his home Oct. 23. “BG”, as he was known, started his career in the industry at Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago, while attending Loyola University. In 1967, he became director of sales for Hilton Catering at McCormick Place, and later returned to McCormick Place as director of sales and marketing for Greyhound Food Management. In 1975, he was hired as show manager by the Electronic Industries Association to manage its winter and summer Consumer Electronics Shows (held in Chicago and Las Vegas). He… more
Oct 24, 2015
This year was a busy one so far for the Exhibitions Mean Business advocacy effort aimed at spreading awareness about the tremendous value of face-to-face events. “The Exhibitions Mean Business Campaign is a key component in promoting the value of face-to-face events as the primary marketing medium for business growth and development,” said IAEE’s President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. He added, “When you consider the more than $70 billion that attendee and exhibitor direct and indirect spending contributed to the US GDP in 2014, along with the millions of jobs created by this… 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