News

Jan 27, 2015
Malaysia’s Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC) is planning to add a new 6,000 m2 hall adjacent to its main entrance to cater for larger events. Scheduled for completion in mid-2016, gross floor space will reach close to 10,000 m2. SCCC is a two-year old venue located in the Setia Alam Township – a 40 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. The configurable new hall can be split into two and connects to the main convention centre via a covered walkway. SCCC’s expanded capacity will be able to cater for exhibitions of up to 350 booths and larger conventions with up to 8,000 people in a theatre… more
Jan 26, 2015
A massive blizzard with up to three feet of snow predicted in some parts of the Northeast, as well as a few thousand flight cancellations, isn’t stopping organizers of one of the largest medical shows in the country – Yankee Dental Congress, with more than 25,000 expected attendees – from doing all they can to get the show open Jan. 29-31 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Katie Hauser, director of communications for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which oversees the center, said all of the show’s stakeholders had a meeting today to discuss how to keep everything… more
Jan 26, 2015
After several slow years during the recession, the mergers and acquisitions market for the exhibition and conference industries had an active year in 2014, according to Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc.’s Year-end M&A Overview. Even with the pickup in deals, though, the number of them fell from 64 in 2013 to 53 last year and deal value was down significantly from $3.75 billion in 2013 to $1.1 billion last year, in part because of major deals switched to broader categories that JEGI tracks. There were several deals that occurred in the last quarter of 2014, the biggest being UBM’s buy of… more
Jan 25, 2015
More than 125,000 housing industry professionals came to Las Vegas for the second annual Design and Construction Week that ran Jan. 18-23.   The event brought together the inaugural members - National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show (IBS), the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the International Window Coverings Expo - and added The International Surface Event and the Las Vegas Market. Registrants had access to all five events with one badge. The move proved to be a success. Attendance at IBS was 55,257, up eight percent compared with last year. The… more
Jan 25, 2015
According to a research published by farrechinc.com, Internet users in the U.S. spend 3x more time on blogs than they do on email. The report, which cited sources included Hubspot, InsideView and FactBrowser, also indicated that 81 percent of online consumers trust information and advice from blogs. In fact, there are many more reasons to promote your organization with a dedicated blog. Here are some worthy of consideration. ·         A blog is an excellent means of spreading the word about upcoming events. ·     … more
Jan 25, 2015
According to a research published by farrechinc.com, Internet users in the U.S. spend 3x more time on blogs than they do on email. The report, which cited sources included Hubspot, InsideView and FactBrowser, also indicated that 81 percent of online consumers trust information and advice from blogs. In fact, there are many more reasons to promote your organization with a dedicated blog. Here are some worthy of consideration. ·         A blog is an excellent means of spreading the word about upcoming events. ·     … more
Jan 23, 2015
For organizers looking to spruce up their sponsorship models, hosting an experts corner, offering tours or having a fitness pavilion on the showfloor are just a few of the unique ideas that were in Global Experience Specialist’s recently released Comprehensive Sponsorship Study. The study also focused on the following key areas; how organizers and exhibitors can make the most of sponsorships; how organizers can best sell sponsorships; what organizers can do to align their sponsorships with sponsor objectives; and information and insights for exhibitors to evaluate and optimize sponsorships.… more
Jan 22, 2015
It may have been cold in Chicago in the second week of January, but that didn’t stop a record amount of attendees from coming to the Windy City for the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders annual meeting. From Jan. 11-14, there were 4,128 convention managers and suppliers who packed McCormick Place West, taking part in educational sessions, keynotes and a bevy of networking and charity events throughout the city. The 2015 event topped the 2014 record-breaking one in Boston, which drew nearly 4,000 attendees. “This year’s program was designed to challenge the most… more
Jan 20, 2015
The Professional Convention Management Association not only brought thousands of convention managers to Chicago for a few days of networking and education last week during its Convening Leaders annual event, but it also gave back to the local community through several programs. “These programs are one way of expressing our sincere thanks to this tremendous community. After our members leave, we hope these donations will leave a lasting impact on the communities, who need assistance in the Chicagoland area.” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA Program: Party With A Purpose… more
Jan 20, 2015
At last week’s North American International Auto Show Charity Preview in Detroit’s Cobo Center, at which more than 14,000 attendees dressed in tuxes and evening gowns took part, an interesting thing happened on the showfloor. Several of the exhibitors, which were the largest car manufacturers from around the world, had really fun, interactive and engaging things to do that not only showed off their products, but also created buzz. With more than 800,000 attendees expected throughout last weekend and this week, it’s an opportune time for the companies to grab people’s attention. Over at the… 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