News
Mar 12, 2012
For nearly 20 years, Dorothy Belshaw has worked for George Little Management, most recently as vice president and show director of the New York International Gift Fair, but now she’s taken a new position as president of the International Market Centers’ Gift Division.
"I am very pleased to have a true industry leader and professional join our executive team. Dorothy brings the leadership and experience to accelerate the growth of our Gift+Home show in Las Vegas,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers.
He added, “As a recognized and proven… more
Mar 12, 2012
Nearly 11 years after a group of private equity investors led by Chicago-based Frontenac Company bought event marketing company Nth Degree from its original owners, another private equity firm, Gen Cap America, has stepped in to buy the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Gen Cap America is based in Nashville, Tenn., and specializes in acquisitions and recapitalizations of middle market businesses.
“The face-to-face marketing industry continues to play an important role in the business-to-business marketing mix, enabling companies to interact with prospects and customers in… more
Mar 10, 2012
From all the smiling faces seen at EXHIBITOR Show, one might be fooled into thinking happy days are here again for the face-to-face marketing industry. Although that might be jumping the gun slightly, things are indeed looking up, according to participants at the 25th annual conference and exhibition for exhibit and corporate event marketing professionals.
Held March 4-8 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the lively event boasted its second year of growth since the downturn, with approximately 6,011 attendees and 272 exhibitors covering 59,500 square feet of exhibition space, according… more
Mar 07, 2012
The BlogWorld & New Media Expo, billed as the ‘world’s largest new media conference and trade show’, expanded its reach with the purchase of Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX), a travel blogging conference.
This year’s TBEX is set to take place June 15-17 at the Keystone Resort & Convention Center in Keystone in Colorado.
TBEX is a gathering of travel bloggers that allows them to meet each other and learn more about the art of travel writing, as well as blogging as a business, cross connecting on other platforms and locating new audiences and vendors for their blogs… more
Mar 06, 2012
Last year saw significant increases in full-year revenues and profits at UK-based Tarsus Group, with the company scoring a 42 percent revenue increase to £61.7 million ($97 million), compared with £43.6 million ($69 million) in 2010, and adjusted profit before tax was up 77 percent to £16.8m ($26 million), compared with £9.5 million ($15 million) the year before.
“2011 was a record year, with the Group achieving a strong financial performance, both on a year-on-year and biennial basis, and we have halved our debt level,” said Neville Buch, chairman of… more
Mar 05, 2012
The Hong Kong Trade and Development Council’s Hong Kong International Jewellery Show continued to draw strong attendance numbers, with the recent show attracting 38,000 buyers, a 3-percent increase, compared with last year’s event.
A significant portion of the attendance increase at the event, held Feb. 16-20 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, came from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries, with an 8-percent increase, compared with last year’s event.
Konstantin Zakirov, a buyer from Russia, said he attended the show “to source silver,… more
Mar 05, 2012
The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) reported at total of 49 international and regional conventions were signed for Malaysia in 2011. MyCEB partnered with the Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and other strategic partners to secure various business events. Large scale events with over 4,000 delegates include the International Dragon Award (IDA), the IAS HIV Conference in Pathogenesis, treatment and Prevention and Women Deliver Conference, all taking place in 2013.
Additionally, the bureau also provided support for 198… more
Mar 05, 2012
Global Sources bought a 80-percent stake of the China (Shenzhen) International Brand Clothing & Accessories Fair (SZIC), one of Asia’s largest fashion fairs, for US$17.3 million.
Shenzhen is a base for garment designing and manufacturing in China and SZIC, which was launched in 2001, has grown since its inception.
The 2011 event hosted about 300 exhibitors, 4,000 booths and 31,000 professional visitors.
"The apparel industry in China is moving from pure manufacturing to design and innovation, driving Chinese brands to become more well-known and prestigious, ultimately… more
Mar 05, 2012
The Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, which owns Chicago’s McCormick Place and Navy Pier, recently named eight new board members, none of whom directly are in the trade show industry.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel were each allotted four appointments under state law, and the new board appointments will replace the interim board that was in place to oversee changes made to MPEA’s operation of McCormick Place.
The new board will be led by Chairman Jack M. Greenberg, who also is chairman of the Western Union Company and serves as chairman of… more
Mar 05, 2012
Australia-based exhibition organiser, Exhibitions and Trade Fairs (ETF), announced the postponement of the company’s special events tradeshow – Melbourne’s Event Showcase (formerly RSVP Melbourne). ETF cited residual effects of the global financial crisis, the consolidation of event suppliers and reduced marketing budgets as deciding factors to postpone the 2012 edition of the show.
Melbourne’s Event Showcase has reportedly been in decline since 2009, and ETF has reviewed the show with industry representatives and visitors after the 2010 edition, making… 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