News
Mar 05, 2019
In a move demonstrating its increasing interest in business travel, Airbnb has acquired Gaest.com—proving the duo is a match made in heaven just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Gaest.com, an online marketplace designed to help meeting and event planners find inspiring spaces for short-term rentals (hours or days), was founded in 2015 in Denmark. It now operates across six continents on a platform similar to that of Airbnb, where hosts can list their spaces and also provide other add-ons to enhance the experience.
As the demand for more creative, flexible meeting spaces continues to rise,… more
Mar 04, 2019
Tarsus Mexico not only will expand the EBIO beauty brand this year - strengthening its position as an organizer of international business forums within the beauty and styling industry – but also it bought the rest of the company.
The purchase by Tarsus of the remaining 40 percent of its joint venture with Expo Guadalajara will ensure the continued success of EBIO in the city of Guadalajara and demonstrates Tarsus's confidence in Mexico and the beauty sector, according to Tarsus officials.
In addition, Tarsus signed a multi-year agreement with Expo Guadalajara to be the host venue of EBIO… more
Mar 04, 2019
See who’s making big strides in their career this month. Have more people news to share? Send it to kogletree@tsnn.com to be included in our next story.
Jim Kelley has joined Fern, a national marketing support and trade show services provider, as vice president of marketing and industry relations. His career has spanned roles with exposition service contractors, convention centers and hotels, and he was most recently with Production Resource Group. In his new position, Kelley will lead strategy for Fern and NexxtShow’s industry events, as well as be part of its sales leadership team.
The… more
Mar 04, 2019
The Society of Independent Show Organizers’ long-time general counsel Henry Schaffer. passed away March 1 after a lengthy disease with Alzheimer’s.
He leaves his wife Barbara, daughters - Emily (Deiwson Nogueira Araujo) Schaffer, Katherine (David Bamman) Schaffer, and four grandchildren Ruby, Sam, Theo, and Leo.
Henry served as SISO Legal Counsel from the 1990’s through his retirement in October of 2014.
“Henry served SISO for most of its existence and was a valued member of its leadership. His knowledge and expertise of our industry was vast,” said David Audrain, SISO executive director… more
Mar 04, 2019
Despite headwinds, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research reports that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the fourth quarter of 2018.
The growth of the industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, accelerated from a year-over-year gain of 0.9 percent in the third quarter to 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter.
“The performance during the fourth quarter shows the resilience of the exhibition industry despite uncertainties surrounding the trade negotiation with China, volatile stock markets and slowing world economic growth,” said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw,… more
Mar 01, 2019
Venue management and hospitality company Spectra will become the new provider of venue management for Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, effective April 1. This marks the first time in the center’s history that it will be run by a private operator.
The City of Dallas City Council unanimously approved this partnership. Spectra will focus on short-term bookings, taking over a role historically maintained by City of Dallas employees. Visit Dallas will emphasize bookings 18 months out or more at KBHCCD, in addition to other venues in the city.
“Partnering with Spectra is going to… more
Mar 01, 2019
With sharing economies transforming how people travel, commute, work, read and listen, it makes sense that this trend is spilling over into trade show exhibiting. Enter Exhibitshub, an exhibit sharing marketplace launched earlier this week at ExhibitorLive.
Inspired by companies like Airbnb, Uber and Lyft, Exhibitshub has aggregated an extensive collection of custom exhibits in key convention cities that can be reserved, booked and rebranded online.
Using this new platform, exhibitors simply search exhibits by city, type, size, design and budget; select booth options that meet their… more
Feb 27, 2019
Myriad event-related companies and organizations are demonstrating their cultures of compassion by donating their time, money and energy to causes that make a difference. Here are four carrying out initiatives that might just inspire your own CSR programming.
International Home + Housewares Show Celebrates Philanthropy
At its upcoming 2019 Annual Housewares Cares Charity Gala, taking place March 4 during the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, the Housewares Charity Foundation will honor four industry veterans for their philanthropic endeavors.
Honorees… more
Feb 27, 2019
In a year without its two biggest biennial shows – Labelexpo Europe and the Dubai Airshow – U.K.-based Tarsus Group still snagged a 9-percent increase in like-for-like revenue (compared to 2016) of $133 million, according to the company’s 2018 results.
Another bright spot was a double-digit increase of buyer/visitor growth across the portfolio of 10 percent, at the top end of the Group’s KPI target of 5-10 percent.
"2018 saw the launch of the latest phase of our Quickening the Pace strategy and we are delivering
against that strategy with another good year of progress both operationally… more
Feb 27, 2019
CVBs are thrilled to be in headlines when it comes to stories boasting record tourism to their respective cities, often for which they deserve credit. Yet Visit Dallas could have done without the media blitz that ensued this month following the release of an audit in January that revealed numbers viewed as unsavory to some.
In a meeting of Dallas City Council’s Government Performance and Financial Management Committee last week, three of the five members voted against canceling the city’s contract with the CVB as a result of the audit. While that much is good news, it’s not the end of the… 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