News

Apr 02, 2012
One big meetings and events supplier bought another, with St. Louis-based Maritz Travel acquiring Twinsburg, Ohio-based Experient. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Maritz Travel is a global leader in providing full-service meeting, event and incentive travel programs to corporate clients, and Experient is a provider of meeting and event services to associations, tradeshows, corporations and the U.S. government. “As a result of this deal, Maritz Travel will lead the industry in four key areas – corporate, association, tradeshow and strategic meetings management. Coming… more
Apr 01, 2012
Just last year, the International Carwash Association was on tap to bring its show to Chicago’s McCormick Place from its home in Las Vegas in 2013. But, when a federal court ruling invalidated labor changes at the venue enacted by the state legislature, the association decided to opt out of bringing the show to Chicago. One year later though, after the labor reforms were approved, The Car Wash Show now is booked in the Windy City for March 31-April 2, 2014. “I am pleased that The Car Wash Show is coming to Chicago, and that it’s more than 6,000 attendees will have a… more
Mar 31, 2012
Trade Show News Network will host the newest online event for its 2012 FREE Webinar Series with “Record–Breaking Attendance: How Did They Do It? – Marketing Secrets” at 1pm EST April 10th.   Click HERE to register for the free webinar. The webinar is courtesy of MarketArt and Onstream Media Corporation - Creators of Marketplace365. What do the National Retail Federations Retail’s BIG Show, the National Shooting Sports Foundations SHOT Show and AHR Expo all have in common? All three shows not only had attendance increases at their recent events, compared with last year, but each one… more
Mar 30, 2012
If sold-out exhibit space at a trade show devoted to homegoods and housewares is any indication of an economy on the mend, then the recent International Home + Housewares Show may just be a bellwether event.   Held March 10-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, the annual housewares giant continued its second year of show floor growth by drawing 2,130 exhibitors, of which 500 were new, with 30 percent from outside the U.S.   Similar to last year, the show attracted 60,000 total attendees from more than100 countries, including 21,000 buyers, according to show officials. In 2011, Home +… more
Mar 29, 2012
In an economy that hasn’t exactly been kind to the retail sector, ASD Las Vegas proved that being the country’s largest consumer goods trade show can have its upside and downside. The upside was the show had increases in attendance; the downside was some exhibitors complained about the late March show dates. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 25-28, the biannual retail behemoth not only boasted a staggering variety of products, but also varying levels of traffic, buying activity and exhibitor optimism, depending on the category and industry segment.  Although… more
Mar 26, 2012
The trade show industry is on a hot streak, with several events breaking all-time attendance records, including the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ CEO Summit, held March 25-28 at The Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego. The event drew 250 attendees, invited guests and sponsors, many of whom were CEOs of the biggest worldwide for-profit show organizing companies. In that attendee mix also were a record-breaking amount of international attendees, 52 from 18 countries around the world. Kerry Gumas, SISO chair and CEO and president of Questex Media, joked the only continent not… more
Mar 25, 2012
International Associational of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Asian Attractions Expo 2012 will kick off June 3-8 and is expected to draw 4,500 attendees. The showfloor is open June 5-8 and education programming will span June 3-8. The event takes place in Hong Kong and features five days of education programming and networking activities, such as Leadership Breakfasts, the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers, a daylong IAAPA Safety Institute and networking events at world-famous area attractions. “IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo is the attractions industry’s… more
Mar 25, 2012
To meet the needs of Asia’s rapidly growing medical technology manufacturing industry, Messe Dusseldorf Asia and the Singapore Precision Engineering & Tooling Association have joined forces to launch MEDICAL MANUFACTURING ASIA, scheduled Sept. 12-14 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The inaugural biennial event is expected to attract approximately 150 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, as well as 5,000 attendees from across Asia and abroad, according to show officials. Held concurrently with MEDICAL FAIR ASIA 2012 and OS+H Asia 2012,… more
Mar 25, 2012
In the past year, Thailand has been awarded a substantial number of bids for not only regional, but also global events to be hosted in the country, according to the Thailand Convention & Convention Bureau. These eight events are expected to generate revenues of at least Baht 900 million (US$117 million). In addition, TCEB has joined hands with the Thai International Convention Association to organize a nationwide roadshow in order to stimulate the domestic MICE market. Meetings will be held with industry associations and key government agencies to assist their efforts to attract… more
Mar 25, 2012
Global Sources ended 2011 with a positive Q4 revenue increase to $74 million, compared with $63 million in 2010, as well as positive increases in full-year revenues to $225 million from $197 million in 2010. Exhibitions revenue in the fourth quarter last year was $35.5 million, compared with $29.9 million in 2010, and online revenue rose to $30.5 million, compared with $25.5 million the year before. “We had a good quarter driven by continued strength in our online and exhibition businesses,” said Global Sources’ Executive Chairman Merle A. Hinrichs. He added, “… 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