Oct 28, 2020
If you missed Week 1, start here to learn why event professionals need a personal brand in the first place.
Last week, we learned that a personal brand is not something you create; it’s something you already have—and it’s up to you to control the message. In the second week of our four-part series on personal branding, TSNN talked with Jessica Zweig, a personal branding expert and CEO and founder of SimplyBe agency in Chicago, on how to build your brand foundation: i.e., how to define and cultivate the vision, mission and message behind your personal brand.
Zweig, who founded her company in… more
Oct 20, 2020
If you think cultivating a personal brand is self-centered and self-serving, think again. Amidst the ongoing global pandemic, there’s never been a more important time to present yourself boldly and accurately online. In this four-week series, TSNN will feature four articles focused on personal branding: why it’s important, how to shape your existing assets into your brand, building the pillars of your brand foundation and creating a content strategy around your brand. Whether you’ve been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic and are searching for something new, are still employed by your… more
Oct 19, 2020
While we at TSNN have been working hard to provide a balanced view of how the trade show industry has been faring during COVID-19 — highlighting the positive alongside the negative news — we also believe that much can be learned from our industry leaders during this challenging time. That’s why we’ve launched “Straight Talk,” a new interview series that will explore both the business and human side of the pandemic through the experiences and guidance of event industry executives.
Like most exhibition industry professionals these days, Yancy Weinrich has been doing her best to adjust and… more
Oct 08, 2020
From appointments to awards to new hires and promotions, this fall is keeping us on our toes for people announcements. Take a look:
Meetings Mean Business Coalition unanimously selected Michael Massari, chief sales officer for Caesars Entertainment, as its next co-chair in September. Effective January 2021, he will join Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, in guiding the coalition and the meetings industry through the continued recovery from the pandemic.
PCMA has appointed Bruce MacMillan to the position of chief operating officer, effective Sept. 2. He was previously the… more
Aug 21, 2020
New appointments, promotions and awards have kept leading industry names in the news this summer, despite the ongoing pandemic continuing to make deep impacts on events. Take a look at some positive news:
Susan Schwartz was named IAEE’s 2020 Legend of the Industry on Aug. 7. Each year, this award is selected from IAEE members who’ve made remarkable contributions in innovation and leadership. Schwartz is managing director and co-founder of ConvExx, an independent exhibition management company in Henderson, Nevada.
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) named Dave Hilfman the organization’… more
Aug 04, 2020
For the second year in a row, the UFI Board of Directors has elected a woman president. In an announcement made July 29, UFI declared Monica Lee-Müller as president of UFI for the 2021-22 period. This decision will become effective at the conclusion of the 87th UFI Global Congress, set for Nov. 15-20.
Lee-Müller has served as managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) since 2012. HML is the professional private company responsible for the management and operation of the 306,000 square-metre Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).… more
Jul 13, 2020
Derrick Johnson, director of event strategy at Talley Management Group, has been appointed to a newly created role of chief diversity officer at the New Jersey-based company. In this new dual position, he’s at the forefront of two of today’s top issues in the event industry: the increasing digital events due to COVID-19 and the push for more diversity and inclusion coming out of the Black Lives Matter protests.
In addition to his work at TMG, Johnson is on the PCMA board and facilitates their Digital Event Strategist Certification Course. Most recently, he was named board chair for the LGBT… more
Jul 06, 2020
Three association professionals will be honored for their exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to advancing the associations community. ASAE will posthumously bestow its 2020 Key Award to past president and CEO, John H. Graham IV, who passed away in January of this year. In addition, Vetted Solutions President James J. Zaniello and Rhea M. Steele, chief of staff of School Nutrition Association, will be presented with the Academy of Leaders Award and the Professional Performance Award, respectively.
The awards will be presented during the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting &… more
Jun 25, 2020
While this summer’s hiring news isn’t as busy as in other years, companies in the events industry are expanding where they can to help gain a cutting edge for events as they begin to return. Here’s the latest news.
- - - - -
On June 22, Meet AC, Atlantic City’s group sales and marketing organization, named industry veteran Larry Sieg as its new president and CEO. He replaces Jim Wood, who departed the agency at the end of 2019. Bringing nearly three decades of tourism, sales and hospitality experience to his new role, Sieg will officially take the reins on July 13.
"Being someone who lives… more
Jun 23, 2020
As a meeting planner for more than 15 years and co-founder of the Association for Women in Events (AWE), Carrie Abernathy understands the importance of diversity and inclusion in the events industry. She is currently the lead meeting planner for Altria Group Distribution Company and has served in a variety of leadership roles in the industry.
Abernathy recently started a weekly half-hour “talkcast” with fellow planner and PCMA board member Derrick Johnson called “Events: From Black to White” — and launched a new website called A Woman With Drive. Here, she shares more about these projects… 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