Association Show News

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Jan 09, 2024
Industry acquisitions and consolidations, rising costs, brand launches, attendance and travel trends and the rise of next-gen event technology topped the list of most popular topics for trade show professionals in 2023.  Many of last year’s most-read stories not only helped show organizers navigate their biggest challenges, but also celebrated the industry’s steady post-COVID recovery while looking ahead at new ideas, technologies and trends propelling business forward. Both a year in review and a compendium of resources and ideas, here are TSNN’s 10 most popular articles of 2023: Trade… more
Jan 08, 2024
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a coalition of professional, industry and labor associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, has unveiled its public policy agenda for 2024. ECA’s alliance partners and board of directors have identified five key areas of focus for the year ahead, including:  Ensuring a favorable industry operating environment Growing seamless international travel and commerce Creating a welcoming environment for the industry in states and cities nationwide Championing industry-led decarbonization efforts Developing… more
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Jan 03, 2024
What do you need to know before attending PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 (#CL24)? TSNN put together this list of new and notable networking and education events to help you plan. Hosted by the San Diego Tourism Authority, CL24 will be held Jan. 7-10 at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC). In 2023, Convening Leaders attracted nearly 3,300 attendees to the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. The 2024 event is on pace to surpass 2023’s attendance, according to PCMA Chief of Staff and Vice President Corporate Communications Meghan Risch. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Convening… more
Dec 20, 2023
Reposite, an AI-powered meeting and event planning tool, is collaborating with MPI Academy, the educational arm of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), to introduce the AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program for meeting and event organizers. Set to launch in January 2024, the new educational program is designed to equip event professionals – including event planners, managers and coordinators, marketing and communication professionals, hospitality and venue managers, and anyone interested in leveraging AI for event design – with the knowledge and practical skills needed to… more
Dec 12, 2023
Held in conjunction with the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition, the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association hosted its Winter Celebration and Awards on Dec. 4 at the House of Blues in Dallas. ESCA announced its 2023 Award Winners, surprising former Fern CEO Aaron Bludworth with the ESCA Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s ESCA President Damon Ross, who serves as senior group vice president for CORT Events, officially handed over the association’s leadership to 2024 ESCA President Taylor Vriens, who serves as… more
Dec 11, 2023
Q4 2023 has been a busy time for the trade show industry, with event-related organizations across the country inking new business deals, extending partnerships and consolidating companies as they prepare for a robust start to 2024. STAR Group  Experiential marketing and trade show exhibit company STAR Group recently acquired Exhibit Edge, a Washington, DC-based exhibition and events company.   According to STAR Group officials, the combined expertise of both companies will not only elevate the level of creativity, innovation and client-focused solutions for the exhibits, environments and… more
Nov 28, 2023
Global Diversity Alliance (GDA), a new global LGBTQ+ community association committed to fostering a world that celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms, released its whitepaper, “Banning the Boycott – How to Do Business in Times of Discrimination (BTB).”  The new resource, a comprehensive guide for meeting planners, hospitality and destination professionals to build more inclusive and diverse events for all stakeholders, offers pathways to navigate through the challenges of planning events in destinations with discriminatory legislation. The resource-rich, data-driven document also… more
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Nov 17, 2023
Are you planning to attend the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) Access 2023?  TSNN has everything you need to know about EDPA Access 2023 — whether you are a first-timer or regular attendee.  Founded in 1954, EDPA serves the experiential, exhibit and event industry, representing more than 300 corporations across 18 countries. The three-day annual event typically draws about 300 attendees who are C-level executives of large and small companies. With event registration open and hotel deadlines quickly approaching, we caught up with EDPA Executive Director Dasher Lowe… more
Nov 14, 2023
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) and International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) are partnering to collaborate on educational efforts, issue and policy forums, advocacy support and other joint opportunities to serve the needs of the broader community. Based in Washington, DC, ECA is a coalition of professional, industry and labor organizations dedicated to the advancement of the face-to-face business events industry while IFES, based in Brussels, is a global association with national associations and individual member companies, active in the design,… more
Nov 14, 2023
Following an extensive search process, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has tapped Marsha Flanagan to serve as its newest president and CEO. She takes the helm on Dec. 1, just before Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition opens on Dec. 5 in Dallas.  Focused on leading innovative strategies and fostering purposeful collaborations, Flanagan will lead IAEE into its next era of service to the global exhibitions and events industry while upholding the association’s core pillars of advocacy, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)… 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