News

Nov 30, 2011
The Center for Exhibition Industry’s CEIR Index showed that trade shows continued to buck overall negative economic trends in the third quarter, with 2.6-percent growth in all four key metrics tracked in the report, compared with the same quarter in 2010. Trade show growth in the third quarter of this year also beat out the GDP during the same period, which only grew 1.5 percent. In addition, all four key metrics tracked by the CEIR Index – attendance, number of exhibitors, revenues and net square footage - showed positive results on a year-on-year basis and the growth of… more
Nov 27, 2011
The Virtual Edge Institute’s Virtual Edge Summit 2012, on tap Jan. 9-11 at the San Diego Convention Center, has unveiled a robust education program on everything a show organizer needs to know on virtual and hybrid events, with 80 speakers and 30 sessions. The theme of the summit, “Accelerate: knowledge. strategy. results”, will focus on presenting digital solutions for meetings, events, learning, training and community and feature speakers from companies such as 3M, Cisco Systems, Herbalife, HIMSS, IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft, VMWare, and Xerox. The summit runs… more
Nov 27, 2011
Once a year in the United States, people connected to the amusement parks industry come from far and wide to check out what’s new at the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions’ Attractions Expo. This year’s event ran Nov. 14-18 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, and it saw a 5-percent increase to 15,300 attendees, compared with 14,600 attendees at the 2010 event. “The results for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 surpassed our expectations on several fronts,” said IAAPA President and CEO Chip Cleary. He added, “… more
Nov 27, 2011
Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry have been named by the International Association of Exhibitions & Events and will be feted at the organization’s upcoming Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 6-8 in Las Vegas. The IAEE Individual Awards winners includes Gary Sain, president and CEO of Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, who will receive Chariman’s Award, given to someone whose assistance to the IAEE chairman has been meritorious. Recipients are recognized for going… more
Nov 21, 2011
Malaysia recently booked the 8th Design & Health World Congress & Exhibition in 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The five-day congress will explore the latest research findings on the relationship between the built environment and human health, wellbeing and quality of life with a focus on the Asian, African and Middle Eastern emerging economies. Organized by the International Academy for Design and Health headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Congress has never been to Malaysia before. It is expected to attract 1,000 delegates and generate an estimated USD3.5… more
Nov 21, 2011
Reed Exhibitions Greater China, part of the Reed Elsevier Group, reported a year of growth in 2011 with seven new trade shows launched in six different industry sectors and record levels of participants at its exhibitions. The seven new exhibitions launched by Reed or through joint venture partnerships this year include Industrial Materials China, Gifts & Home Shanghai, Green Lighting Shanghai Expo & Forum, China (Shenzhen) International Maternity, Baby and Children’s Product Exhibition, Green Hospital Solution Expo, China Veterinary Technology & Equipment Exhibitionand… more
Nov 21, 2011
The recent Cosmoprof Asia grew in several different areas, including attendance, showfloor size and number of exhibitors, when it ran Nov. 9-11 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show, jointly organized by UBM Asia and BolognaFiere Group, drew more than 48,500 attendees, a 10-percent increase, compared with last year; 1,780 exhibitors, up 9 percent on 2010, from 42 countries and regions, of which 477 were first-time exhibitors; and had the largest-ever showfloor, with 68,000 square meters of exhibition space, up 18 percent, compared with the 2010 edition.… more
Nov 21, 2011
The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) reported results of its biennial economic impact study report. Compiled by KPMG Transaction Advisory Services, the report shows Hong Kong’s exhibition industry contributed US$4.6 billion towards the local economy in 2010, compared with US$3.9 billion in 2008, or equivalent to 2.1 percent of Hong Kong’s total GDP. Direct expenditure, which covers expenditure specifically on exhibitions and exhibition-related activities, amounted to US$2.3 billion or 50 percent of the total expenditure. Business… more
Nov 21, 2011
NASDAQ-listed Global Sources released its third quarter results ended Sept. 30 this week. The company reported revenues were US$47 million, an increase of 19 percent, compared with the same quarter in 2010. Net profit attributable to shareholders was US$3.96 million in the quarter, an impressive growth of 90 percent, compared with the third quarter of 2010. Online revenues of US$30 million were recorded this quarter, an increase of 22 percent, while exhibitions revenues jumped 17 percent to US$9 million. Print revenue grew 9.1 percent to US$6.3 million in the quarter. Revenues from… more
Nov 21, 2011
When EIBTM kicks off Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Barcelona, Spain, the China Meetings Summit will debut for the first time. The summit is intended to give EIBTM attendees insight into how China is poised to capture high profile business events. With economists predicting 70-percent growth during the next five years, if businesses expect to grow in the future, China is an important market to pay attention to. The China Meetings Summit will look at the meetings industry from a first-tier destination perspective and from a meeting planner perspective, bringing an interactive session with live debate… 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