News

Jun 03, 2012
Following a strategic review, Gaylord Entertainment has decided to sell the Gaylord Hotels brand and the rights to manage its four convention center/hotels properties to Marriott International for $210 million. Once the sale is finalized, Gaylord will continue to own its hotel properties and other businesses and will reorganize and elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) effective Jan. 1. By transferring day-to-day control of the hotels to Marriott, Gaylord expects to save $33 million to $40 million a year. The four properties include the Gaylord Opryland Resort and… more
Jun 03, 2012
As I am walking up Ala Wai Boulevard to the Hawaii Convention Center, I see that the back of the Hawaii Convention Center abuts the Ala Wai Canal. It reminds me of McCormick Place in Chicago and even the San Diego Convention Center, both being on the waterfront.   As I round the corner to the front of the building I realize that is where the convention centers diverge in similarity, and the Hawaii Convention Centers stands on its own.   June Matsumoto, director of international markets and business development for the Hawaii Convention Center, takes me on a tour of the ‘sense… more
May 31, 2012
Trade Show News Network will be wrapping up its collection of the 2011 TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Shows June 14, so if you are a Canada-based show organizer submit your show as soon as possible. Please click HERE to submit your event. The 2010 TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Shows can be viewed HERE. The list is culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year in ranked by net square footage in Canada. The top show in Canada in 2010 was the Regina Exhibition Association’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,… more
May 29, 2012
IMEX Group’s 10th annual IMEX event, held May 22-24 in Frankfurt, snagged impressive numbers, with the show scoring a 21-percent increase in buyer appointments with exhibitors to reach a total of 64,000. Forty thousand of those appointments were individual ones, and the remaining were group appointments, according to Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group. Bloom also said that just fewer than 4,000 hosted buyers attended the show from an overall total of nearly 9,000 visitors from around the world.   Exhibitors at IMEX 2012 gave the show positive reviews. “The number of… more
May 28, 2012
Detroit’s Cobo Center $221 million renovation and expansion has marked an important milestone in stage one of Phase III of the five-year project, with the onset of construction of the three-story atrium that links the main floor of the venue with a new entrance facing the Detroit River. "Today's the day when the caterpillar officially enters its cocoon and begins its transformation into a butterfly," said Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority Board Chair Larry Alexander. He added, "When complete, this area will be the most visually dramatic and breathtaking… more
May 23, 2012
Consumer Electronic Association’s 2012 International CES was the biggest of the big, with records being broken in number of exhibitors, overall attendees and international attendees, according to an independent audit. There were a record-breaking 3,319 exhibitors that showed off their technologies at the 2012 International CES event, a 22-percent increase, compared with last year’s show. There also were a record number of international professionals – 35,734 – who attended the show from more than 150 countries, which was an increase of 13 percent, compared with last… more
May 21, 2012
Global Sources ended 2011 with positive revenue results, but the beginning of 2012 wasn’t as upbeat, with first-quarter exhibition revenue dropping to $2.2 million, compared with $4.4 million the first quarter in 2011. Global Sources’ management stated the decrease in Q1 exhibition revenues resulted from the rescheduling of one trade show from January 2012 to December 2011. Print revenue also declined to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $4.7 million in the same quarter last year. Online revenue was a bright note, however, with $30.9 million in the first… more
May 21, 2012
Market Center Management’s Nashville Medical Trade Center has signed up several new exhibitors for the new venue to be built in the downtown area of the city. “We began this project in the midst of uncertainty about the economy and questions about the viability of a global marketplace for healthcare. But companies have had the time to recognize the cost benefits and business opportunities of a center of innovation attracting visitors from around the world,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO of Market Center Management Company. He added, “As the economy continues to… more
May 21, 2012
Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, along with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Shanghai Pudong Sub-Branch and Shanghai Hongshan Exhibition Service Co Ltd, will launch the Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology fair Sept. 20-22 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. According to organizers, the event will meet the growing demand from China’s intelligent building market. Focused on the theme “Intelligent Building“, the fair will occupy approximately 6,000 square meters of exhibition space. Exhibitors will be offering… more
May 21, 2012
When the American Psychiatric Association Heart Rhythm Society recently held their annual meetings, they decided to leave a lasting impact and give back to the local host communities. The APA’s meeting was held May 5-9 at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center and the association made a pledge to make a group donation to the Philadelphia Mental Health Center at the culmination of the event. Donations were made throughout the convention, and the APA matched every dollar that was donated by attendees. The APA 2012 Meeting also featured host Edward M. Kennedy, Jr. as 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