News
Jun 25, 2019
For the third year in a row, Cobo Center has kicked off its Cobo Cares program, which offers free exercise, networking and community engagement opportunities to local workers and residents in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Launched in early May, the 2019 Cobo Cares season offers 13 exercise activities at the convention center through October, including Zumba, yoga and workout classes coupled with opportunities to give back to local nonprofit agencies that support needy area citizens.
“The Cobo Cares program is a wonderful way to gather together and give back to our community while having… more
Jun 24, 2019
Eldorado Resorts agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $8.58 billion, creating a mega-casino company in the U.S.
The combined company will provide its guests with access to approximately 60 domestic casino–resorts and gaming facilities across 16 states.
“Eldorado’s combination with Caesars will create the largest owner and operator of U.S. gaming assets and is a strategically, financially and operationally compelling opportunity that brings immediate and long-term value to stakeholders of both companies,” said El Dorado CEO Tom Reeg.
He added, “… more
Jun 24, 2019
Hannover Fairs USA and IBTM will each launch a new show in 2020.
The U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche Messe in Germany, Hannover Fairs USA, will debut Interschutz USA next year. Interschutz, currently the world’s largest trade show for fire and rescue services, takes place every five years in Germany. It will be complemented by Interschutz USA, set for Oct. 13-17, 2020 at Pennsylvania Convention Center in Pennsylvania.
This new show will provide a global view of firefighting equipment and tactics, and demonstrate safety techniques that reflect the current and future strategies of U.S.… more
Jun 20, 2019
Know an incredible show manager? Now’s the time to nominate him or her for The Expo Group’s annual Show Manager of the Year awards, also known as SMOTY.
These awards are independent of any industry associations and meant to honor the hardworking professionals behind events and trade shows.
“This program is a way for us to give back to our profession by drawing attention to the people who impress everyone with their commitment, innovation and excellence,” said Randy Pekowski, president and COO of The Expo Group, which is headquartered outside of Dallas.
This year’s SMOTY trophies will be… more
Jun 20, 2019
From the latest healthy snacks to new car wash technologies and trends in tile, May was a busy month for trade shows and associations. Here’s a recap of five that posted great numbers last month.
National Restaurant Association Show
The centennial year of National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, one of the most anticipated events in the foodservice industry, was one to remember — not least for the 23-foot-tall, 1,200-pound birthday cheesecake in the middle of the show.
The event drew more than 42,557 attendees to Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 18-21, including… more
Jun 19, 2019
ConferencePulsehas relaunched as ExpoIQ, a marketplace that helps technology event organizers find and connect with the right exhibitors for their events. The new platform leverages a database of more than 20,000 technology exhibitors, 5,000 IT exhibitions and 30,000 key decision makers, which ExpoIQ founder and CEO Val Tsanev says is what makes it unique.
“We’re trying to make the entire exhibition sales process — prospecting, finding and acquiring — seamless, expedited and much more efficient than it is today,” says Tsanev.
“Information is extremely decentralized in the public domain.… more
Jun 18, 2019
Michael Dominguez has been named president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. The well-known, well-liked industry veteran previously served as senior vice president and chief sales officer for MGM Resorts International for the past seven years. He also directed sales development for Loews Hotels as vice president of global sales prior to MGM.
Colleagues say Dominguez’s strategic leadership, innovative business development, hands-on sales oversight and implementation of effective sales strategies in both the MICE and transient segments will lead him to be successful in his new… more
Jun 18, 2019
Event professionals, organizations, hospitality providers and destination organizations now have a new way to gain holistic insights into industry trends and behaviors in the form of a new data analytics tool developed by PCMA.
Revealed at IMEX last month in Frankfurt, Germany, BEAM (Business Events Analytics/Metrics) is designed to provide a comprehensive view of the business events industry by leveraging a portfolio of data sources to better understand individuals, organizations and face-to-face events. The data will help predict behaviors of business events participants, which in turn can… more
Jun 17, 2019
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, the certification requires a four-step process: registration; a comprehensive certification application; review with Green Business Certification Inc.; and finally, if all checks out, certification (followed by celebration).
While we hear a lot about LEED-certified buildings these days, the certification hasn’t gone fully mainstream in the world of convention centers, at least not yet. According to the USGBC, about 60… more
Jun 17, 2019
Creating a sustainable food and beverage plan for your events isn’t just about reducing your carbon footprint. Ultimately, it’s about taking on the responsibility for making safe and healthy food choices for a number of people, says Tracy Stuckrath, president and chief connecting officer of thrive! meetings & events.
Stuckrath discussed sustainability and the ways that event menu choices can impact the well-being of attendees, budget and the planet in PCMA’s Bites and Sites webinar “Creating A Sustainable Menu for Your Event,” held live on June 6. Here are some key takeaways to consider… 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