May 08, 2011
The Houston-based Offshore Technology Conference boasted a 29-year attendance high for its recent show held at Reliant Park.
The show, held May 2-5, had 78,150 attendees, which was up 8 percent from last year and surpassed the 2010 total of 72,025.
The sold out trade show also was the largest since 1982 at 603,000 square feet, up from 568,000 square feet in 2010. The event had 2,520 companies from 40 countries, including 306 new exhibitors this year and added exhibitors from Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.
New this year was the OTC Parkway, spanning from Reliant… more
Apr 27, 2011
The first part of this year has started off on a bright note for the Minneapolis Convention Center, with several consumer shows scoring increases in attendance, compared with last year. The shows ranged from a 6-percent increase all the way to a 26-percent increase in attendance.
The shows that reported higher attendance were the Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Minneapolis Home and Garden Show, Twin Cities Auto Show and Northwest Sportshow.
Besides more people at the shows, they also opened their wallets once they were there on the showfloor and… more
Dec 13, 2010
Just a year and a half after Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. bought the semiannual California Gift Show from dmg world media, MMPI has breathed new life into a show that had seen declines in recent years.
On the show’s opening day, held Jan. 21-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Jan. 18-24 at MMPI’s nearby L.A. Mart permanent and temporary showrooms, the showfloor at the LACC was bustling with buyers looking for new products and exhibitors eager to shake off the gloom of tough recessionary times.
Exhibitor Jamie Ferling, owner of San Fernando, Calif.-based resort t-shirt company… more
Jan 10, 0018
On what was a packed day on the bustling CES showfloor, the massive consumer electronics show, a power blackout occurred at the Las Vegas Convention Center impacting meeting rooms in the North and South Halls for approximately two hours.
"Today at approximately 11:15 AM (PST), the Central Hall and South Hall bridge meeting rooms at the Las Vegas Convention Center lost power. Power in the South Hall was restored within minutes, and power has now been fully restored to all areas. A preliminary assessment indicates that condensation from heavy rainfall caused a flashover on one of the… more
When it comes to the age-old topic of sponsorships, you can never have enough new ideas. With event budgets constantly challenging you to do more with less, it’s important to explore untapped resources for new cash flow. A recent study shows that 63 percent of event organizers rely on sponsorships as a significant source of revenue.
Are you one of those organizations? If so, you need to be creating high-value sponsorship packages your sponsors won’t can’t afford to miss.
To learn how, please join us on our next Ask Me Anything chat, “Rethinking Assets to Increase Event + Sponsorship Revenue… more
U.K.-based Informa is set to acquire U.S.-based Penton in a deal worth $1.56 billion from private equity owners MidOcean Partners and Wasserstein & Co.
The transaction is subject to approval by Informa shareholders and customary regulatory and closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.
"Today, we are announcing continued progress on our Growth Acceleration Plan with the proposed addition of Penton Information Services,” said Stephen A. Carter, Informa Group CEO. “This combination will further strengthen our capabilities in Global Exhibitions… more
The seven-year-old Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre continues to record healthy growth in all business segments, despite headwinds from the United States and Europe.
Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, KLCC hosted 1,258 events, a 15-percent increase, compared with the 1,097 held in the previous corresponding period, serving 1.37 million delegates and visitors.
Here are some of the more notable events:
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 81st Annual Scientific Congressin May, which saw 1,250 delegates come together during five days, making this the largest multi-disciplinary surgical meeting… more
Kathleen Thomas, who has worked for several high-profile investment banking firms in the business-to-business exhibitions and conferences space, was named managing director at New York City-based JEGI, effective immediately.
Thomas will further expand JEGI’s global leadership across the global media, information, marketing, software and tech‐enabled services sectors, according to company officials.
“We are delighted to welcome Kathleen on board,” said Wilma Jordan, founder and CEO of JEGI.
Jordan added, “She and Richard Mead, our long‐tenured managing director and B2B specialist, together… more
When the American Psychiatric Association Heart Rhythm Society recently held their annual meetings, they decided to leave a lasting impact and give back to the local host communities.
The APA’s meeting was held May 5-9 at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center and the association made a pledge to make a group donation to the Philadelphia Mental Health Center at the culmination of the event.
Donations were made throughout the convention, and the APA matched every dollar that was donated by attendees.
The APA 2012 Meeting also featured host Edward M. Kennedy, Jr. as the… more
GES’ second-quarter revenues were up 12.2 percent to $320.1 million from $285.4 million during the same period the year before.
“GES delivered second-quarter results that surpassed our prior guidance, with a revenue increase of 12 percent year-over-year and an adjusted segment EBITDA margin of 12.5 percent,” said Viad’s president and CEO Steve Moster.
He added, “The upside to guidance was broad-based and fueled by industry growth, solid execution by the GES team and our efforts to position GES as the preferred global, full-service provider for live events with a comprehensive suite of… more
Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started.
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
“Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for."
What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.