Before 2016 wrapped up, a few suppliers signed new contracts and renewed others to provide services to shows and venues.

The American Telemedicine Association selected Convention Data Services (CDS) as its new registration partner. The contract runs through 2018 and calls for CDS to provide full registration and lead retrieval services, along with housing and membership integrations for two events: the ATA International Conference & Tradeshow and the ATA Fall Forum.

ATA, the largest telehealth-focused organization, produces these two events to help educate industry professionals and transform healthcare by improving the quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world.

The use of telemedicine has become a multi-billion dollar industry and is now becoming integrated into the ongoing operations of hospitals, specialty departments, home health agencies, private physician offices as well as consumer’s homes and workplaces.

With this advance, these two events require a streamlined registration process and the latest lead retrieval technology for their tech-savvy attendees and exhibitors.

“ATA is a growing organization with a strong focus on innovation and technology. We chose CDS as our new registration vendor because of their experience and commitment to our goals. We believe their innovative and flexible approach will best meet the needs of our members and event attendees,” says Courtney Mesmer, CMP, Director of Meetings and Events, American Telemedicine Association. 

The SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center chose Mills James and Fern Exposition & Event Services as new service providers for the facility, effective Jan. 1.

“Both Mills James and Fern have been great partners of the GCCC through the years and their quality work and focus on providing an outstanding customer experience have placed them in a position of great success,” said GCCC General Manager John R. Page.

He added, “As we enter into our future with an expanded and renovated convention center to sell and service, we look forward to raising the bar at the GCCC with continued growth in our customer base and enhanced experiences that will be provided through these new partnerships.”

Mills James will become the GCCC’s preferred provider of production services and its exclusive provider of rigging services.

The employee-owned company produces videos, spots, broadcast programs, corporate meetings, special events, digital signage and mobile apps for its clients.

“Our mission is to redefine convention center audiovisual services,” said John Aldrich, director of event technologies for Mills James and primary contact for the GCCC account.

He added, “Clients increasingly value one-stop shopping, and with our help, the convention center can now provide production support ranging from small business meetings to immersive experiences for thousands of people.”

Fern will become the facility’s new preferred general service contractor and will be responsible for decorating and other trade show services.

Fern is a leading national marketing support and trade show services contractor that provides unmatched customer service, best-in-class creativity and innovative solutions for exhibitions and large-scale events. Fern is among the top three face-to-face event service providers in North America, serving more than 1,100 live events annually, including many top 100 shows and dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

“Fern has served clients of the Greater Columbus Convention Center since the center’s opening in 1993,” said Fern Executive Vice President Mike Cox.

He added, “With the 2017 scheduled completion of an expanded and renovated GCCC, Fern is anticipating that GCCC will continue to attract many events for which Fern’s service offering is well suited.  As the in-house preferred contractor for the GCCC, Fern will be well positioned to assist the GCCC and Experience Columbus in continuing to maximize opportunities for Columbus.”

Corcoran Expositions, an independent trade show organizer, has been retained to manage one new trade show and also renewed with an existing client.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with the American Dental Hygienists Association, as well as the International City/County Management Association, co-sponsor of the National Brownfields Training Conference, in producing their upcoming trade shows,” said Tom Corcoran, founder of the 26-year-old Corcoran Expositions. 

He added, “We pride ourselves on our long client relationships, so are always thrilled when an existing client decides to continue working with us, as is the case with the International City/County Management Association who have been a client for 15 years and who we have partnered with for the National Brownfields Training Conference since 2011. We hope that the American Dental Hygienists Association also becomes a long-term client.”

For the Chicago-based, American Dental Hygienists Association, Corcoran Expositions will provide exhibit sales and management services for the “CLL 2017 94th Annual Session,” to be held in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2017 and in Columbus, OH in 2018. 

The most recent show featured 15,000 net square feet and drew 1.800 attendees and 130 exhibitors.

For the Washington, DC-based based International City/County Management Association, Corcoran Expositions will provide exhibit sales, sponsorship sales and management services for the “2017 National Brownfields Training Conference,” to be held in Pittsburgh, Penn. The most recent show featured 13,000 net sq. ft. and drew 3,000 attendees and 120 exhibitors.