What Has the “Exhibitions Mean Business” Advocacy Effort Accomplished? A lot!
October 24, 2015
This year was a busy one so far for the Exhibitions Mean Business advocacy effort aimed at spreading awareness about the tremendous value of face-to-face events.
“The Exhibitions Mean Business Campaign is a key component in promoting the value of face-to-face events as the primary marketing medium for business growth and development,” said IAEE’s President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA.
He added, “When you consider the more than $70 billion that attendee and exhibitor direct and indirect spending contributed to the US GDP in 2014, along with the millions of jobs created by this industry, the campaign is a vital component in raising awareness to federal and local lawmakers, media and the general public on the great value that we as an industry contribute to society.”
The focus starting in the beginning of 2015 was to create new assets and content needed to ensure this year’s campaign efforts are as fruitful as possible, according to EMB officials.
These efforts included: the launch of a new EMB website, the creation of new Exhibitions Day rallying materials, the re-introduction of EMB’s presence on LinkedIn and Facebook, and a continued focus on media relations.
Exhibitions Day, a one-day event in June that brought more than 100 trade show professionals to Capitol Hill to meet with their state representatives on issues impacting the industry, was a success.
EMB supported this special day by creating a special visual campaign that blended the existing EMB look/feel with the idea of advocacy to strike a chord on Capitol Hill.
EMB also created several other assets to support Exhibitions Day efforts:
• A marketing campaign series aimed at promoting attendance and rallying
2015 Exhibitions Day attendees
• Educational materials and overview documents to be uploaded on the Exhibitions Day website
• Videos that can be shared and reposted by supporters
• A digital toolkit containing shareable visual assets, social media content and posting tips, template media materials and a “social directory” of other individuals and organizations supporting the campaign and Exhibitions Day
Another key focus of EMB is to garner as much positive press about the events industry as possible. To date, they have secured more than 400 million impressions, with a publicity value of close to $44 million in publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Forbes.
Other efforts to continue to spread the good word about the events industry include utilizing social media to build an audience and buzz, engage industry professionals to write blogs and to also keep the momentum going surrounding the industry and the issues discussed on Capitol Hill.
All of these efforts, though, do not happen in a vacuum. Exhibitions Mean Business is in the middle of a fundraising campaign and needs YOUR help. Please pledge HERE.
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
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