New Business Deals: Tarsus Group and Convention Data Services Secure and Extend Strategic Partnerships

December 5, 2022

Major players in the meetings, trade show and events industry have been quietly securing new business deals and renewing existing partnerships as they set their sights on a strong and prosperous future for their respective businesses and premium event experiences for the audiences they serve. Take a look!

Tarsus Group

London, U.K.-based B2B events and media company Tarsus Group (Tarsus) and Fern Exposition Services, LLC (Fern), a leading national marketing support and trade show services provider, recently formed a multi-year partnership.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Fern will provide trade show services for more than a dozen Tarsus events produced annually through 2025 in North America, including the biannual fashion wholesale event, OFFPRICE Show, and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) event portfolios. The agreement also includes an option to add future events during the term of the agreement. 

“We look forward to partnering with Fern and having them provide our exhibitors and key event stakeholders the customer-focused and personalized service which Fern is known for,” said Brian Howell, vice president of operations for Tarsus. “After a comprehensive RFP and presentation process, the entire Tarsus team agreed that Fern offered solutions that would not only meet our expectations in the areas of service, creativity and pricing, but would also hopefully exceed them.”

Focused on the fashion wholesale market, Tarsus’ OFFPRICE Show runs biannually in Las Vegas, with the next edition set for Feb. 11-14 at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas. A4M’s Annual World Congress – Longevity Fest 2022, set for Dec. 9-11, will also take place at The Venetian. 

“We are pleased and excited with Tarsus’ decision and confidence in Fern, led by Senior National Sales Manager Angi Van Berg, to enter into an agreement where we service several of their flagship events,” said Aaron Bludworth, Fern president and CEO. “We have long regarded Tarsus as a world-class organization, and we look forward to helping them grow their business while creating exceptional trade show experiences for their exhibitors for many years to come.”

Convention Data Services

Leading event registration, business intelligence and lead management partner Convention Data Services (CDS), a Freeman Company, has renewed several business partnerships over the past several months. 

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) has extended its partnership with CDS for five more years through 2027. CDS will provide full-service registration, integrations, lead management and contact center services for the ASCRS Annual Meeting, the largest U.S. meeting for anterior segment surgeons, practice management staff and ophthalmic technicians and nurses, as well as self-service registration for their smaller meetings. 

IPC International, Inc. (IPC), a non-profit organization representing all facets of the electronics industry, renewed its partnership with CDS for five years from 2025–2029. CDS will provide full-service registration, integrations, lead management, sessions and access control and contact center services, as well as self-service registration for IPC’s smaller events. 

“It is a pleasure working with CDS, whose people and culture are some of the best in the business,” said Kim DiCianni, IPC director of tradeshows and events. “CDS works as a true partner, not only as they come up with solutions when we ask for something new or some added functionality, but also as they continue to evolve and innovate their products and services, making CDS the best registration vendor in the industry.” 

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, extended its partnership with CDS for five years from 2023–2028. CDS will provide full service registration, lead management, integrations, data analytics and contact center services for PMMI’s PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, which include PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK Mexico and EXPO PACK Guadalajara.  

“PMMI is such an important and prestigious player in the industry, and we are excited to continue the partnership for another five years,” said David Lawton, CDS chief sales officer. “Since we first began working with PMMI in 2015, our team has remained committed to executing innovative, seamless solutions that can now serve both their domestic and international portfolio of shows.” 

Have an event-related business deal to share? Reach out to lpsavas@tsnn.com.

 

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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