Three major U.S. convention centers announced event space expansions, new environmental practices, and enhanced tech capabilities recently.
OCCC to Start Expansion Project in 2026
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., will soon kick off a $560 million expansion project resulting in an additional 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000-square-foot ballroom in its North-South Building. Officially named the Grand Concourse Expansion, construction will begin in 2026 and is expected to finish in 2029.
“We are excited to begin work on our Grand Concourse… more
Mar 24, 2025
Did you know that incorporating wellness into events can significantly improve attendee satisfaction and net promoter scores without necessarily increasing budgets? By weaving tailored wellness experiences into events, planners can not only create more engaging and impactful event experiences that drive engagement, elevate attendee wellbeing, and foster a greater sense of community but also address the growing demand for wellness in professional settings. After all, when attendees feel physically and mentally balanced, they are more engaged, focused, and open to new ideas.
Possibly no… more
Mar 07, 2025
The National Hardware Show (NHS), the annual trade show and conference for the home improvement and hardware industries produced by independent show organizer RX, is launching an exclusive two-day event for industry influencers.
Context: Held annually in Las Vegas, NHS attracts home centers, independent retailers, online retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and others to discover new products, innovations, and trends in the home improvement and do-it-yourself (DIY) industry. In 2024, the event drew in more than 11,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC… more
Mar 05, 2025
The city of Austin, Texas, is about to see a change to its skyline. On February 25, the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) unveiled the first renderings of the new Austin Convention Center, dubbed “Unconventional ATX.” The $1.6 billion project is expected to redefine the city’s event landscape with more space, innovative design, and a commitment to sustainability.
The new downtown facility will nearly double the rentable space of the existing convention center, expanding it from 365,000 to 620,000 square feet. Funded through hotel occupancy tax and convention center revenues, the… more
Feb 24, 2025
The Savannah Convention Center (SCC) in Savannah, Ga., has completed a massive, $276 million expansion that has positioned the venue to not only serve long-standing events wishing to grow but also attract new and larger-scale meetings and conventions to the historic coastal destination.
Started on March 17, 2021, and completed on February 6, the transformative project has doubled the facility’s size to 660,000 square feet, with enhancements to existing spaces featuring modernized design elements, refreshed color schemes, and premium technology upgrades.
“The enhanced functionality and… more
Feb 20, 2025
Fans of fiction and fantasy are not the only ones patiently waiting for the opening day of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe on May 22. Organizers with events and trade shows planned in Orlando, Fla., in the back half of 2025 are clamoring to offer new experiences to their exhibitors and attendees.
From the much-anticipated opening of new attractions like Epic Universe to substantial expansions at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Orlando continues to lead as a hub for meetings and conventions. In fact, the OCCC hosted 189 events that attracted 1.7 million attendees during… more
Feb 04, 2025
As New Orleans prepares to host Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, we caught up with New Orleans & Co. President and CEO Walt Leger and VP Convention Sales and Strategies Stephanie Turner to find out what’s new and trending in the Crescent City for meetings and trade shows.
Following the tragic events on New Year’s Day, the executive team from New Orleans & Co., the destination marketing organization for the city, addressed the event industry during the opening general session at PCMA Convening Leaders, the annual conference for business event professionals held Jan. 12-15 at the… more
Feb 03, 2025
The city of San Diego recently heralded the extended residency of an iconic pop-culture event while a meetings resort in Las Vegas is celebrating a new state-of-the-art transportation option benefitting leisure and business guests alike.
Comic-Con International Will Continue to Call San Diego Home Through 2027
Comic-Con International signed a new agreement to remain in its long-time home of San Diego through 2027. Attracting more than 135,000 attendees from across the globe as well as extensive national and international media coverage, the four-day B2C event has taken place in San Diego… more
Nov 29, 2024
As one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities in terms of population (according to an analysis by Exploding Topics), Nashville continues to develop and enhance its event offerings, and the city presents a dynamic landscape for trade show producers.
Whether it's hosting massive conventions in the new stadium, leveraging its musical heritage, or tapping into international markets, Nashville offers a vibrant and diverse stage for unforgettable events. With opportunities as endless as the music-filled air, Nashville remains a city that promises and delivers excitement.
Recently, we caught up with… more
Nov 13, 2024
What do trade show organizers need to know about Orlando, Fla.?
In October, we spent 72 hours in the Sunshine State to discover what’s new for attendees and exhibitors in the theme park capital of the world, as well to find out what’s trending for trade shows.
Here’s what you need to know.
Getting there: Located about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando and with easy highway access, the Orlando International Airport (with the airport code of MCO) is about 12 miles away from the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and major convention hotels that are connected or within walking distance… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.