News

Oct 01, 2012
The American Bus Association has selected Louisville, Ky., to host the ABA’s 2016 Marketplace Jan. 9-12 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville. The ABA’s Marketplace in 2016 is the organization’s 38th annual gathering, but it marks the first time Louisville has hosted this prestigious event, according to the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau officials. One year earlier, the ABA’s 2015 Marketplace will be held in St. Louis Jan. 10-13 at the America's Center Convention Complex. "The American Bus Association is always… more
Sep 30, 2012
Whether its natural products, surf gear, bikes or anything and everything having to do with pets, all four industries are thriving, with their recent shows scoring impressive increases in several metrics. New Hope Natural Media’s Natural Products Expo East, held Sept. 19-22 at the Baltimore Convention Center, had upticks across the board, including a 9-percent increase in not only attendees to 21,590 and exhibitors, which scored another 8-percent increase to 1,195, but also a bigger showfloor from 145,180 net square feet last year to 154,520 net sq. ft. this year. “A lot of it… more
Sep 30, 2012
After a grueling time trying to get labor reforms passed at Chicago’s McCormick Place, those days are in the past and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate with two big shows – the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the International Manufacturing Technology Show - both renewing their contracts to stay in the Windy City. The National Restaurant Association will remain in Chicago through 2021, which is a five-year extension on the organization’s current contract. After a thorough review of options, the agreement was signed with the… more
Sep 27, 2012
Take a look at some of the most successful business people and you’ll find that many of them followed a similar formula when designing their careers: take something that interests you or you have an aptitude for, figure out where you can meet an unmet need, work really hard, learn from failure, stay ahead of the competition and if you play your cards right, you end up with a career that’s not only interesting and prosperous but also rewarding. Such has been the case for Kendra Nicastro, owner of K.C.’s Creative Events and producer of the annual Baby Bonanza and Kid’s… more
Sep 26, 2012
Two well-known industry veterans have been named to new posts recently, with Reed Travel Exhibitions bringing on Michael Lyons as the new exhibition director for AIBTM, the Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition, and Michael Krouse was tapped as the president and CEO of the Ontario (Calif.) Convention & Visitors Bureau. Lyons is a 30-year member of the meetings and events community and will lead AIBTM's efforts to enhance its position as the premier global exhibition for the U.S. meetings, events, incentive and business travel industry, according to Reed officials. "We are… more
Sep 25, 2012
Just as the giant haul trucks and excavators the size of a three-story building, MINExpo International 2012 was impressive with its sheer size and was billed as a largest collection of mining equipment ever gathered. Produced by the National Mining Association, the premier quadrennial event for the mining industry spanned 860,000 square feet, up 40 percent from its previous show in 2008. The show featured a total of 1,890 exhibitors, also up nearly 45 percent, and attracted more than 58,359 attendees, an increase of more than 45 percent. MINExpo was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center… more
Sep 25, 2012
U.K.-based Tarsus Group has partnered with Dyandra Promosindo - organizer of the Indonesian Motor Show – in the launch of the inaugural AAITF Jakarta in March 2014. This partnership is on the heels of Tarsus Group moving into the same market in China as the organizer of the China International Automotive Aftermarket Industry and Tuning Trade Fair (AAITF) – the world's leading automotive aftermarket exhibition. AAITF Jakarta, which is estimated to have approximately 3,900 square meters (42,000 square feet) of space in Hall B of the Jakarta International Expo, will be the… more
Sep 24, 2012
The Fall 2012 CEO Summit will take place at the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components Oct. 12 in Hong Kong. Executives from some of the world's largest and most innovative electronics manufacturers and retailers will gather to share industry insights with a focus on the development of mobile devices, according to Global Sources officials. The Summit will provide a platform for industry professionals to network and share forecasts about the fast-growing consumer electronics market. "Maintaining profitability in a highly competitive market is increasingly difficult.… more
Sep 24, 2012
The five-day HKTDC Watch & Clock Fair ended in early September, with more than 17,500 buyers participating, up 4.5 percent, compared with last year. Some of the increases came from emerging market buyers that were up significantly, including Iran (up 32 percent), the Chinese mainland (up 17 per cent) and Russia (up 17 percent). The Hong Kong Trade and Development Council commissioned an independent market survey agency, Actrium Solutions (HK) Ltd, to conduct a survey during the first three days of the fair. The company interviewed 349 exhibitors and 759 buyers onsite to get their… more
Sep 24, 2012
Answering a demand in the marketplace, Germany-based Messe Duesseldorf plans to launch GDS Select – Premium European Shoe Fair April 17-19, 2013 in Shanghai. The new show will be held as part of the China International Footwear & Leathergoods Exhibition – CIFL at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event will be supported by the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM) - the state retail federation whose members include all the well-known department stores and shopping centers in the country - and Adsale, a long-standing partner of Messe Düsseldorf.… 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