Association Show News

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Mar 28, 2024
Connect is building upon its reputation as a leading provider of experiences, business opportunities and inspiration through an enhanced media coverage offering. Effective immediately, Connect’s portfolio will expand to include:          •       Trade Show News Network (TSNN), the prestigious online news outlet covering the exhibition, trade show, and events industries since 1996          •       MeetingsNet, the award-winning publication for market-segmented meeting decision- makers planning meetings          •       Corporate Event News, the media brand that reaches corporate event… more
Mar 28, 2024
What experiences do event attendees value most? During the Women in Exhibitions Network North America session, “New Audience Insights From Freeman,” on Feb. 16, Freeman Senior Vice President of Strategy Ken Holsinger provided a deeper dive into the 2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior, which garnered 3,200 respondents across a blend of events. The one-hour online meeting covered the full report, but here are the top 11 things that attendees want from in-person events, according to the Freeman survey. When planning your event or exhibit and budgeting your spend, it’s helpful to know what… more
Mar 27, 2024
How do leading exhibit designers and builders create an appealing booth environment? Check out these design trends and traffic-generating tips from ExhibitorLIVE, which was held Feb. 27-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville. The annual trade show offered a window into what is the latest in effective exhibit strategy — at a show where the exhibit managers are the target buyers.  Our team walked the exhibit hall floor to scout design, lighting and tech trends attracting the most traffic from buyers. Here are 10 booths that stood out: Hamilton ExhibitsRetro revival.… more
Mar 25, 2024
Filling all three halls at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for the first time in its 12-year history, MODEX, a biennial manufacturing and supply chain trade show for North and South America, pulled off its largest event ever in Atlanta.  Held March 11-14, this year’s event attracted 48,733 registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals and 1,164 exhibitors showcasing the latest supply chain technology and innovation across 580,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Boasting an uptick of 32% more registered visitors than MODEX 2022, which drew in 37,047 registered attendees,… more
Mar 19, 2024
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported a significant recovery in the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibition industry for the fourth quarter (Q4) 2023, citing a 15% year-over-year increase in overall exhibition performance that measures exhibitors, net square footage, attendees and real revenues.  The industry’s performance is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with the Q4 2023 results showing only an 8% lag compared to the same period in 2019, according to the latest CEIR Total Index. This represents a significant improvement from the 41% and 20% shortfalls observed in Q4… more
Mar 19, 2024
Are you attending Connect 2024 Spring Marketplace in Las Vegas? Considering it?  Connect Spring Marketplace is scheduled for April 2-4 at The Venetian, Las Vegas. Designed for event professionals, Connect Spring Marketplace is expected to draw more than 2,000 leaders who produce association, citywide, corporate, sports, eTourism and diversity events. We’ve got the scoop on what you need to know before you take off for this popular desert destination for trade shows. Speed date with suppliers. Engage in personalized 1:1 sessions with representatives from top destinations, hotels and vendors… more
Mar 14, 2024
The high cost of delivering a premium event experience in Las Vegas to both attendees and exhibitors prompted two storied trade shows to collocate last month. Elsewhere around the country, another show posted moderate growth while a third saw slight dips in its numbers.  Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) Co-located With Las Vegas Apparel Who, When & Where: Women’s Wear in Nevada (WWIN) and Las Vegas Apparel, Feb. 13-15, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas Show Size: 70,000 net square feet of exhibit space with 300+ brands and more than 1,000 lines between both shows Looking back:… more
Mar 12, 2024
This month, trade show organizers, associations and venues are announcing new events, rebranding existing ones and teaming up with other organizations to offer more value for their members and audiences. Here’s our latest New Briefs to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the trade show industry right now. ESCA Partners With CEIR on Exclusive Research, Unveils New Standard Industry Safety Signage The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) has partnered with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) to provide ESCA members with exclusive access to CEIR’s… more
Mar 11, 2024
If your trade show or event organization works with independent contractors, it’s important to know how a new employment rule that takes effect on March 11 could impact labor costs for businesses that rely on contract labor or freelancers, such as trucking, manufacturing and more. The industry sector most likely to be impacted: general service contractors, AV companies, freight companies and other suppliers that rely on independent contractors.  Why it matters: Increased costs for suppliers could be passed on to event organizers or exhibitors, who were already facing increases of 7%-30% for… more
Mar 06, 2024
The Events Industry Council (EIC) awarded a water quality trade show and an events destination with its highest level of the Sustainable Event Standards for environmental and social responsibility within the global events industry. Created by the EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee in partnership with industry professionals and leading sustainability practitioners, the EIC Sustainable Event Standards are a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria, including organizational management, marketing,… 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