Association Show News

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Jun 15, 2015
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry named Kai Hattendorf as its new managing director to replace Paul Woodward, who will be stepping down in November. The announcement was made on the opening day of the UFI Open Seminar in Europe, June 15-17 in Istanbul, Turkey. Hattendorf currently is vice president, Digital Business & Entertainment at Messe Frankfurt and was selected in a in a process led by the UFI president, Andrés Lopez-Valderrama and his Executive Committee, and supported by the international search firm, Heidrick & Struggles. “I am personally very pleased… more
Jun 11, 2015
The Exhibitions Mean Business’ 2nd Annual Exhibitions Day, held June 9 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., brought together 112 participants from 19 states to participate in industry-related events, including nearly 100 meetings with policy influencers and members of Congress. The meetings focused on key issues that could affect the more than $71 billion contribution the trade show industry has to the GDP. Some of those issues included Jolt Act, Open Skies, Trade Promotion Authority and government employee attendance at trade shows and events (see more HERE about issues), according to David… more
Jun 09, 2015
It seems like people’s inboxes are getting more and more jammed every day with emails coming from all directions. Even with the ‘email fatigue’ most people complain about, it’s still the most effective form of communication before, during and after a show – the key is being heard through all of the clutter. The latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Guru Report – "Separating Signal from the Noise – How to Make Your Emails Better" - written by digital strategist Jason Falls, examines a few ways that emails can be better. The first thing Falls advises people to do is throw out the… more
Jun 03, 2015
For the sixth year in row, Trade Show News Network is holding its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program that honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta. The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled weekend can be found below and HERE.   “The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2012-2014 in attendance and net square footage,” said TSNN President and Editor-in-Chief Rachel Wimberly. She added, “We are really excited to fete all of the… more
Jun 02, 2015
The 96th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the collocated BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) at NRA Show, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 16-19, posted record exhibit space and a 3 percent uptick in registration in the key buyer category of restaurant and foodservice operators. “Across all three halls and all four days of NRA Show and BAR, the optimism of the restaurant and hospitality industry could be felt around every corner,” said John Metz, Jr., 2015 NRA Convention Chair and Executive Chef, CEO and Co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern. He… more
Jun 02, 2015
The 2015 Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum, held May 27 in Washington, D.C., drew more than 200 trade show organizers and suppliers to a packed room at the J.W. Marriott to take part in a day filled with engaging sessions.  In its 14th year, ECEF drew not only a record number of registrants, but also a record number of sponsors and participating publications, according to ECEF Founder Sam Lippman. “This year has been a great year,” he added.  The full day kicked off bright and early with a keynote by Scott Schenker, general manager, Events and Production Studio,… more
Jun 01, 2015
The severe winter weather in much of the U.S. didn’t put a damper on the trade show industry, with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s quarterly CEIR Index Report tracking growth to be 4.6 percent in Q1 2015, compared with the same time period in 2014. It is the highest increase since the second quarter of 2007, in other words, before the recession hit. "The performance in the first quarter was remarkable considering that the east coast was frequently paralyzed under severe winter weather," said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting… more
May 25, 2015
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has signed an agreement to become an official Media Partner and member of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Rachel Wimberly, President/Editor-in-chief, and Paul Woodward, Managing Director of UFI signed the agreement that will help disseminate the work carried out by the international body. “TSNN is very excited about this new partnership with UFI," Wimberly said. "UFI's role as the global association for the exhibition industry is the perfect complement to TSNN's broad reach into the industry worldwide." UFI is the premier global… more
May 20, 2015
The 2015 SEMA Show will expand into a new area to accommodate additional exhibitors during the show Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Located in the outside area on the south side of the venue (adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel), this new First-Time and Featured Exhibitors area also will include a transportation hub and serve as a primary thoroughfare into the SEMA Show. "Industry professionals value and rely on the SEMA Show to do business," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA  vice president of events and communications. "The expansion areas make it possible for businesses in the… more
May 18, 2015
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Atlantic City, N.J., as the destination for its 2016 World Education Congress (WEC). The conference will be held June 11-14 at the Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, a Caesars Entertainment property. “We look forward to hosting our World Education Congress in Atlantic City next year,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI. “When selecting venues for MPI events, we look for destinations that provide great infrastructure, world-class facilities and memorable experiences. Having grown up spending my summers… 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