Association Show News

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Feb 19, 2014
Ice storms, clogged highways, a closed airport and all around chaotic weather last week in Atlanta didn’t stop people from making their way to the biannual Atlanta Shoe Market, held Feb. 13-15 event at the Cobb Galleria. In order to accommodate the approaching weather situation and getting buyers on the floor despite it all, the Cobb Galleria and Southeastern Shoe Travelers Association, who have co-hosted the event for 19 years, opened the doors three days prior to the show opening to accommodate early arrivals, including buyers from Belk, Tops and many others. Exhibitors reported… more
Feb 17, 2014
International Carwash Association Unveils New Show in Amsterdam The International Carwash Association, which represents car wash professionals, will launch Car Wash Europe Oct. 5-7 at the RAI Exhibition Center in Amsterdam, The  Netherlands. The new event will held every other year and serve car wash operators and suppliers in the European market. “We’re  incredibly  excited  to  be  launching  Car  Wash  Show  Europe,” said  ICA  CEO  Eric  Wulf.  He added, “While  there are … more
Feb 17, 2014
In an effort to expand collaborations in China, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) signed a cooperation agreement Jan. 10 with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Chengdu Sub-council at the annual CEFCO event held in Wuxi, China. The strategic agreement encourages participation in exhibitions and events in Chengdu and fosters continued goodwill throughout China. "IAEE is the largest international association representing the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with more than 8,000 members,” said Mu Tao… more
Feb 17, 2014
Meeting Professionals International released the first edition of its new Meetings OutlookTM, a quarterly report offering a unique perspective on the future of the meeting and event industry with information provided by more than 5,000 MPI members, including 700 senior meeting professionals on MPI's Business Research Panel. The report covers new trends, as well as innovations on the horizon and replaces the bi-monthly Business Barometer previously published by MPI. Meetings Outlook is available for free for both MPI members and non-members, making it more accessible to the broader… more
Feb 11, 2014
The National Retail Federation’s Retail’s Big Show broke attendance records, with 30,000 people, an uptick from 27,500 last year, Jan. 12-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. There also were 555 exhibiting companies, up from 494 last year, and 205,000 net square feet, up from 168,000 net sq. ft. last year. “We are incredibly fortunate to be in an industry that is changing on a daily basis,” said Susan Newman, NRF’s senior vice president of conferences. Driving that change is technology and all the ways that consumers are buying products,… more
Feb 10, 2014
The Professional Convention Management Association and Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers have formed a partnership to help advance the Meetings, Incentive, Exhibition and Convention Industry by collaborating on education and certification. The partnership will provide an opportunity for the organizations to facilitate the exchange of best practices and ideas among its members, and will support industry certifications which include the Certified Meeting Professional and the Certified Association Sales Executive programs. Through this partnership,… more
Feb 06, 2014
Builders are building again was the sentiment at the new Design and Construction Week launched this year by collocating the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The two shows took over the Las Vegas Convention Center Feb. 4-6. After a devastating downturn, the construction industry is starting to come back, and it’s on a roll. The trend is directly translating into a turnaround trade show. “Finally, for the first time in five years,… more
Feb 03, 2014
Already in several cities worldwide, the Consumer Electronic Association’s International CES Unveiled event series will expand to three more - Shanghai, Warsaw and Sao Paulo. The CES Unveiled event series brings innovative technology companies, top media, buyers, analysts and key industry influencers together to showcase new products and tech trends leading up to the 2015 CES. The series currently goes to Paris, New York and Las Vegas. Each Unveiled event will be tailored to the local audience and will debut regional and global research, provide CES news and showcase curated products… more
Feb 03, 2014
Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense for President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and author of the newly-published book “Duty: Memoirs of A Secretary at War”, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Annual Convention and Trade Show on tap March 19 - 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  “AAHOA prides itself on providing information to our members as well as to our industry that is timely and relevant,” said Mehul Patel, AAHOA chairman.  “The appearance by Robert Gates… more
Jan 22, 2014
Despite winter weather causing havoc the past few weeks, archery and surfing enthusiasts weren’t deterred from being at shows in those sectors, resulting in positive numbers for attendance and exhibitors. The 2014 (Archery Trade Association) Trade Show was held Jan. 6-8 in Nashville, Tenn. - smack dab in the middle of the Polar Vortex pushing bone-chilling temperatures into the United States – but that didn’t stop the show from achieving record-breaking results. Setting one record was a total of 1,047 retail and distribution buying companies represented by a near-record 3,… 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