Feb 25, 2019
Hilton launched Signia, a new brand designed to cater specifically to the meetings and events industry, last week. The Signia Hilton portfolio promises to infuse state-of-the-art technology and design into the entire guest experience, with a strong focus on meeting space.
“In our 100th year of hospitality, we are more focused than ever on providing exceptional experiences to all of our guests — and that includes evolving those experiences to meet their changing needs,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton.
He continued, “We are proud to launch Signia Hilton, which… more
Feb 11, 2019
Messe Frankfurt — known as the world’s largest trade show, congress and event organizer — has deployed electric StreetScooters transport vehicles for deliveries on its exhibition campus. As part of a two-year trial, the zero-emission vehicles are being used for Messe Frankfurt exhibitors and visitors.
With an area the size of 90 football fields comprising 11 exhibition halls, more than 90 conference rooms and 26 restaurants, the Messe Frankfurt exhibition grounds are a veritable “city within a city.” It offers services including booth construction, visitor marketing and catering, ensuring… more
Feb 07, 2019
AEG Facilities, the venue management subsidiary of AEG, and SMG, an Onex portfolio company and venue management company, have signed a definitive agreement to merge.
This combination will create a new, standalone global facility management and venue services company that will operate as ASM Global (“ASM”).
Onex and AEG’s subsidiary will each own 50 percent of the company following the completion of the transaction.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Wes Westley, CEO and president of SMG, said, “This merger is a major step for our industry. We are excited to bring… more
Jan 21, 2019
Event planners looking for a Pacific Northwest hotel able to accommodate all their meeting guests might want to take a look at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. The new 45-story downtown property, which is now the largest hotel in the region, opened its doors late last year, on Dec. 10.
Located just two blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022, Hyatt Regency Seattle offers more than 103,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.
“Progress is all around us,” said Hyatt… more
Jan 07, 2019
Not all that long ago, all meetings were conducted face-to-face. More recently, technology enabled virtual meetings. Today, a hybrid model allows for more participants spread across a wider geographical area but the challenge has continued to be around engagement. How do you keep remote participants engaged and how do you keep and share the data generated within the meeting?
Park MGM andCiscohave an answer: the new 7,000 square foot Ideation Studio. With the opening of the Studio, Las Vegas’ Park MGM is the world’s first hotel to offer groups Cisco Webex Boards and Cisco Webex Teams … more
Jan 04, 2019
After its on-schedule completion at the end of 2018, the long-awaited Moscone Center expansion project was celebrated with a grand opening gala event on Jan. 3.
The $551 million expansion adds more than 157,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to Moscone North and South and increases the center’s total exhibit space to more than 504,000 sq. ft.
“Our two main goals have been to create contiguous space and flexibility for the Moscone Center,” said Lynn Farzaroli, senior director of the Moscone expansion for San Francisco Travel Association. “It’s a brand-new center with state-of-… more
Nov 19, 2018
Last week, an overwhelming majority of voters from the City of Miami Beach approved the lease of public land for a privately-funded convention headquarter hotel that will be connected to the newly renovated and reimagined $620 million Miami Beach Convention Center.
The yes vote on ballot item No. 388 sets the completion of Greater Miami’s convention center district in motion, according to City officials.
“The City of Miami Beach residents have spoken loud and clear,” said City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “A super majority of nearly 64 percent is no easy feat and this is a huge… more
Nov 15, 2018
Matthews Southwest Hospitality, a national hospitality industry developer based in Dallas, released an initial conceptual design of the proposed headquarters hotel that would be attached to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, giving the public a first glimpse at the proposed exterior of the $558 million addition to the city’s hospitality inventory.
In addition to Matthews, the project team includes Preston Hollow Capital, Provident Resources Group, The Convention District Development Associates and Omni Hotels & Resorts.
“The design of the new convention center… more
Oct 25, 2018
As cities across the U.S. continue to make significant investments in major expansions and upgrades to their convention centers in order to better compete for group business, two more facilities are joining the flurry of construction projects.
Last week, the city of Indianapolis announced plans to expand the Indiana Convention Center and build two new hotel towers that will add more than 1,400 connected hotel rooms to the city’s room inventory.
The ICC’s new 50,000 square foot ballroom will be the largest in the state, while the additional hotel towers will increase the city’s number of… more
Oct 04, 2018
Some of the construction in downtown San Francisco will be ending soon, with a positive impact for event planners and attendees. The $551 million Moscone Center expansion project is due to be completed at the end of 2018.
Started in November 2014, the expansion adds more than 157,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to Moscone North and South, increasing the center’s total exhibit space to more than 504,000 sq. ft.
According to Tom David, executive vice president and chief sales officer for San Francisco Travel Association, the expansion was driven by the need to both keep and… 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