Association Show News

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Nov 06, 2013
This year, WESTEC had more than 10,000 attendees for a show that was normally held in March.  Show organizers decided to move the show up to October, in the hopes it would increase the attendance.  “The decision seemed to be a good one, as WESTEC saw 10,000 more square feet of exhibitor space and 1 million more pounds of machinery on the show floor compared to last year,” said Christine Longroy, events manager for Society of Manufacturing Engineers/WESTEC. This year’s show, held Oct. 15-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, showcased the future of… more
Nov 03, 2013
AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology has signed on UPS as a major sponsor for the organization and its massive trade show – International Manufacturing Technology Show.   UPS will now be recognized as an official “Global Logistics Provider to IMTS and AMT.” “In AMT’s 110-year history, this is our first sponsorship with a global logistics provider,” said Peter Eelman, AMT vice president - exhibitions and communications. He added, “We are confident UPS will bring great value to AMT members and IMTS stakeholders. UPS is known for… more
Nov 03, 2013
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which runs AG CONNECT Expo & Summit, and the National Corn Growers’ and American Soybean Associations, which jointly run Commodity Classic, will combine their agriculture shows March 2016 in New Orleans. Commodity Classic is a joint venture owned by the National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association, with National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers participating as affiliates. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers owns and produces AG CONNECT. “We have great respect for the… more
Oct 29, 2013
National Association of Convenience Stores Association’s 2013 NACS Show set a new record with 396,000 net square feet, up 4 percent compared with 2012. The annual event took place Oct. 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and attracted 1,160 exhibitors, including 195 first-timers, and about 22,000 attendees from 65 countries. “The growth of the NACS Show is impressive, and it’s also a clear indicator that the supplier community is serious about partnering with convenience store operators to leverage business connections and solidify their position within… more
Oct 28, 2013
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has unveiled this year's recipients of the IAEE Awards program that recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry. Award winners will be honored at the IAEE Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation on tap at the Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Dec.10-12 in Houston. "Recipients of the annual IAEE Awards personify the hard work and dedication that the exhibitions and events industry demands from each of us," said 2013 IAEE Awards… more
Oct 14, 2013
Gear Expo 2013, owned by the American Gear Manufacturers Association, saw growth in all three metrics – attendance, exhibitors and net square footage – at its recent show. The biennial event, held Sept. 17-19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, attracted more than 3,400 industry professionals, an 11.8-percent increase in attendance, compared with 2011. The sold-out showfloor also had 219 exhibiting companies this year, a 26-percent increase, compared with 2011, and a 52,500 net square foot showfloor, which grew 29 percent since the 2011 show. National Trade… more
Oct 14, 2013
Convention Centers have identified growing international competition and government policies toward meetings and events participation as their top concerns heading into a period of slow economic recovery, according to the latest annual survey carried out by AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres. The survey, carried out between April and June 2013, achieved a 65 percent response rate from centers in 54 countries, with heavy participation from Europe. "Growing competition amongst centers worldwide has been an issue for some years, but this very real spike in… more
Oct 14, 2013
Taking advantage of the cooperative partnership between the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and União Brasileira dos Promotores de Feiras (Brazilian Union of Exhibit Promoters), Reed Exhibitions in Brazil enrolled 12 participants in IAEE’s Certified Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program. Those 12 went on to successfully complete the Exhibition and Event Sales Fundamentals and Event Marketing modules, which were held Sept. 2-3. "This has been a great opportunity to fulfill the skills of our talented management in Brazil with the ‘essence… more
Oct 07, 2013
Smart eyewear that captures video and sunglasses that float were among the showstoppers at the International Vision Expo West, co-owned by Reed Exhibitions and The Vision Council, which took place Oct. 2-5 at the Sands Convention & Expo Center. The show celebrated its 25th anniversary with strong numbers as attendance trended up 8 percent from 12,000 last year. Square footage was at 185,000 and exhibitor count was at 426, also showing positive trends. “We’ve rebound quite nicely over the past several years,” said Courtney Muller, group vice president for Reed… more
Oct 02, 2013
Thirty-year trade show industry veteran Brian Casey has been chosen by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s board of directors as the new president and CEO for the organization. Casey was identified as the best candidate after an extensive search process that was initiated after long-time head of CEIR, Doug Ducate, announced he was stepping down from the role. Casey’s new position will begin Dec. 1. "I am very honored and excited to have been selected to lead CEIR moving forward,” Casey said. He added, “Having been in the industry for more than 30… 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