News
May 03, 2019
Last week, Center for Exhibition Industry Research released its 2019 CEIR Index Report, which analyzes the 2018 exhibition industry and provides a three-year economic outlook for the exhibition industry.
Among the findings detailed in the report: strong acceleration of the U.S. economy, rising from 2.2% growth in 2017 to 2.9% in 2018, representing nine consecutive years of growth.
In accordance with the U.S. economy growth, the exhibition industry’s performance finally surpassed its last peak, and is anticipated to break new ground performance-wise through 2021, according to the report. The… more
May 03, 2019
As publicly funded destination marketing organizations across the country face increased scrutiny over budgets and spending issues, some agencies are finding themselves under the microscope of state and local legislators questioning their ROI and very reason for existing.
Case in point: Visit Florida, which faced what appeared to be its imminent demise in the state legislature before receiving a nine-month reprieve earlier this week. The state’s tourism marketing agency will receive a $50 million budget through June 30 at the request of Governor Ron DeSantis, who asked that the agency stay… more
May 02, 2019
California-based Booster Technology Solutions has unveiled Event Boosterapp, a SaaS (software as a service) event technology platform designed to boost networking and sales opportunities at trade shows and events.
As an easy-to-use mobile app, Event Boosterapp enables attendees to network with each other and with exhibitors before, during and after events, as well as save products and expand information on speakers and experts. Meanwhile, show organizers can take advantage of advertising and promotional spaces to help generate income, and opportunities to boost loyalty.
“Event Boosterapp is… more
May 01, 2019
International events company dmg events is expanding its suite of hospitality brands and global reach by launching HI Design Americas in the U.S. and The F&B Summit in Oman. Both are niche hospitality sector events focused on connecting buyers and suppliers with personalized business meetings.
HI Design Americas will debut Sept. 9-11 at Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Fernandina Beach, Florida, while The F&B Summit will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Muscat.
The new shows complement the company’s existing exhibitions model, anchored by… more
May 01, 2019
Dallas-based sales and marketing tech provider Lead Liasion has released a host of updates to its B2B event lead capture and management software, GoExhibit!, designed to capture hot leads on-site at trade shows, seminars and conferences.
Developed in response to an uptick in users and user requests, the updates include:
Enhanced customization: Users can now change the app’s color, insert their logo and custom content sections for embedded content including maps and videos. When event managers give their reps access to the mobile lead-capture app, they can customize the invitation. Users… more
Apr 30, 2019
The third annual Xperience Design Project hosted by ASAE took place at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington D.C. on April 11-12. Known for being a conference that challenges the status quo of the industry, the two-day event attracted 1,654 attendees from 40 states and eight countries.
One major change implemented at this year’s event was a new pricing structure. Attendees registered for XDP for free while on-site in Chicago for ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition last summer, then were asked to pay what they felt the event was worth after attending XDP.… more
Apr 30, 2019
Last year was a monumental one for Informa, with the purchase of UBM in January 2018 forming the largest exhibition company in the world. Today the London-based company announced another big change: a new brand identity for one of its divisions. Going forward, Informa Exhibitions will be known as Informa Markets.
This new identity reflects the company’s ongoing development and expansion, along with its focus on enabling the success of its customers and the specialist markets in which they work, from health and nutrition to construction, pharma, agriculture and more.
Informa Markets consists… more
Apr 26, 2019
Event organizers and professionals who want to understand the environmental impact of the events they plan or attend now have a free and engaging new tool to help them do just that: My Event Footprint.
Developed by sustainable conference management agency MeetGreen, this web-based app for event organizers, attendees and sustainability professionals generates sustainability facts based on user data, to help drive decisions and quantify data.
With just 15 quick questions, a segment of a user’s environmental impact is measured in water, energy and emissions, with data displayed in a fun,… more
Apr 26, 2019
The global economic impact of exhibitions totals $325 billion in business sales annually, according to a new report from UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics and supported by Society of Independent Show Organizers, the report claims to be the first time this figure has been calculated.
“This new data will support us when we talk to stakeholders about our industry, especially as it’s broken down into the direct, measurable economic impact per exhibiting company, right down to the economic value of every single square metre of… more
Apr 25, 2019
Cleveland-based Marketplace Events, a producer of B2C shows in North America, has acquired nine home shows from Show Technology Productions of San Antonio.
This acquisition helps Marketplace Events venture into three new markets, with four shows in Austin, Texas; three shows in San Antonio; and one show in Lexington, Kentucky. The company has also acquired a show in Charlotte, North Carolina, where it already operates a home and garden show along with the Southern Christmas Show.
“These markets are of obvious strategic growth importance to Marketplace Events,” said Tom Baugh, Marketplace… 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