News
May 27, 2022
Having worked in advertising and marketing agencies in her native Lebanon, then for an event publishing company in Montreal, Rachel Stephan launched her own event marketing agency in 2001—yet she always wanted to create a tech product that would become her legacy.
Her “aha moment” came in 2015 after seeing the successful results of the unique word-of-mouth campaigns her company was running.
“I thought, ‘How can we scale this? How can we better measure it?’” she said. “One summer, we created our first pilot of the project, and my software engineer said nonchalantly, ‘Let’s call it ‘Boule… more
May 25, 2022
Brand discovery platform FounderMade, which was acquired by Tarsus Group in December last year, plans to expand their portfolio with the launch of BeautyMade: The Show for High Growth Beauty Innovators.
Scheduled to take place Oct. 13 at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., BeautyMade will host influential executives in beauty retail, investment and media, while promising to showcase the world’s most creative and emerging beauty brands.
FounderMade is partnering with The Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures (NIV) group. NIV is the early stage investing and incubation… more
May 24, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is thrilled to unveil it will be celebrating the 2022 TSNN Awards Nov. 8-9 at host venue CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas.
The two-day festive event will feature a bevy of awards celebrating all of the amazing innovation at trade shows in the past year, as well as the people who are the best of the best at what they do.
The 12th Annual 2022 TSNN Awards gala celebration and educational conference will be held at the new CAESARS FORUM, which is the host sponsor of the overall event.
“Caesars Entertainment is honored to partner with TSNN to host their Annual Awards… more
May 24, 2022
An expected rebound of the U.S. B2B exhibitions industry is underway, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which released the results of its 2022 First Quarter Index on May 23. According to the stats, the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions industry improved significantly in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the previous eight quarters, with cancellation rates for physical in-person events continuing to drop, compared with 2021.
In Q1 2022, the cancellation rate was 9.2%, compared to 91.3% in the first quarter of 2021, 66.2% in the second quarter,… more
May 23, 2022
While the trade show and meetings industry continues its steady path toward recovery, some event-related organizations remain committed to making sure that those less fortunate within the communities they operate aren’t left behind. Check out two event industry entities who recently went the extra mile to make a difference in their home cities and beyond.
Music City Center
Nashville’s Music City Center, in partnership with Sodexo Live! and Nestlé, recently donated 150 gallons of soup to The Nashville Food Project, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to grow, cook and share… more
May 20, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California
Palm Springs is the best kind of party town, always evolving and never resting on its laurels. The cool crowd heads to the desert region for hip hotels with poolside DJs, al fresco cocktails, live entertainment, and energetic dance floors.
Take a dip—or just hang out poolside with a Cranky Coyote cocktail—at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, or venture into the hotel’s Amigo Room, a quirky hipster-magnet that on any given night may host stand-up comedy, bingo, and even arts-and-crafts sessions. Serious beer aficionados need look no further than Yard… more
May 20, 2022
Snöball, a word-of-mouth marketing and audience growth platform for events, formed a strategic partnership with CLIPr, a video analysis and management (VAM) platform using AI and machine learning to make recorded videos searchable by transcription, topics and subtopics. With the alliance, Snöball will pair its event marketing and social amplification expertise with CLIPr’s ability to create more searchable video content to help event professionals greatly increase content personalization and drive audience acquisition, retention and engagement.
With the industry having shifted to virtual and… more
May 20, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California
With its gently curved cables and deep orange hue, the Golden Gate Bridge is a total showstopper. Yes, it’s beautiful to behold, but the bridge’s charms are more than skin (or a coat of paint?) deep. On your next trip to San Francisco, try these creative ways to enjoy the bridge and the surrounding area.
Stay at Cavallo Point
The story of Cavallo Point is even older than the Golden Gate. Before the bridge’s construction, the army established Fort Baker as a military base in an effort to fortify the bay. Today, the lovely colonial revival buildings… more
May 20, 2022
Beaches, fish tacos, and beer. San Diego could have nothing but those three things and still be a crowd-pleaser any day of the week. But this laid-back Southern California city has plenty of other layers—including world-class art, architecture, hiking trails, and even an under-the-radar wine scene.
Explore these gems, hidden in plain sight around San Diego County, starting in downtown and heading both north and east. And worry not: You might also sample a few new tacos and beers along the way.
Animae, Downtown
Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey has turned up the volume in multiple ways for his… more
May 20, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California
A lifetime in San Francisco wouldn’t be enough to see the city’s countless wonders. That’s why we’ve selected experiences that everyone from the first-time traveler to the frequent visitor will love. Here’s where to shop, eat, stay, and explore in the Golden City.
Stay at The Fairmont San Francisco
Named for the railroad barons (“Nobs”) who built their mansions in the area, Nob Hill is one of the most high-end neighborhoods in San Francisco. At its pinnacle sits the historic Fairmont San Francisco, a stunning expression of early 20th-century… 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