News

Dec 20, 2018
While many exhibition venues may choose the holiday season to carry out acts of service that help their local communities, the San Diego Convention Center has made corporate social responsibility a year-round labor of love. According to Barbara Moreno, SDCC executive director of communications and outreach, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation has a long-standing commitment to giving back to its Southern California community. “We believe in being good neighbors and for years have worked together with event meeting planners to connect them with non-profits and charities that they can… more
Dec 19, 2018
Experience creation is the top priority for event planners in Asia Pacific, according to IACC’s inaugural APAC edition of its Meeting Room of the Future™ report. The report, released today, reveals that 66 per cent of the region’s meeting planners claim delegates now seek more engagement, personalisation and interactive technologies at business events than at any time in the past five years. The trend is being driven by incoming generations with younger delegates looking for greater integration of new technologies and mobile connectivity in business events, more opportunities for networking… more
Dec 18, 2018
Registration now is open as the China International Brand Underwear Fair prepares to return to Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, China from April 19-21, for its 14th edition. Organized by Shenzhen Shengshi Jiuzhou Exhibition and owned by Tarsus Group, China International Brand Underwear Fair, also known as SIUF, has made its way to become world's largest, end-to-end, one-stop trade show for entire underwear industry. The 14th edition SIUF will have a continuous focus on offering the whole supply & distribution chain of intimate apparel industry in terms of fabrics,… more
Dec 18, 2018
MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2019, Southeast Asia’s leading medical and healthcare exhibition, will stage its biggest edition to date with about 1,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries at a new and larger venue: the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC). More than 10,000 medical and healthcare innovations will be on display from Sept. 11 - 13, 2019. MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND is part of Messe Düsseldorf’s “MEDICAlliance” program of regional and international medical trade fairs organized around the globe and will be organized by its subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf Asia. MEDICAL FAIR… more
Dec 18, 2018
IBTM China, part of IBTM’s global portfolio of meetings and events industry trade shows and the most established event of its kind in China, has announced first details of its 2019 edition. The event will take place Aug. 28-29 at China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing. It is anticipated that more than 380 international and domestic exhibitors will meet with  400-plus Hosted Buyers for two days of pre-arranged business meetings. More than 3,500 visitors also are expected to attend. This year will see the introduction of a new Experience Zone where visitors will be able to… more
Dec 18, 2018
A team of hospitality students from Kansas State University in Kansas won PCMA’s inaugural Business Events Industry Student Challenge for proposing how to protect personal data of people attending business events. Members of the winning team were Brooks Hetle, Bailey Brown, Andie Contreras, Tia Gamble and Cameryn Rasmussen. They were advised by Kristin Malek, an assistant professor of hospitality management.  Nearly two dozen collegiate teams from across the United States submitted proposals for the competition, which tested student knowledge and understanding of issues and trends… more
Dec 18, 2018
The Association for Women in Events (AWE) has opened registration for its premiere women’s leadership event: ELEVATE!. The event is powered by AWE and is sponsored by Hilton and the Conrad Washington DC. The event will be hosted March 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a networking reception will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will include: ● Disruptive, compelling sessions with women in business and politics. ● Networking opportunities with women and men who are making a difference in the industry. ● World-class speakers and leaders who are changing the dialogue around how women do… more
Dec 18, 2018
Creating tension should be a key factor in developing compelling business events, said bestselling author and Marketing Hall of Fame honoree, Seth Godin. Tension, he added, contributes to the fear of missing out, and that can create the buzz that helps make business events successful. Godin will take participants at 2019 PCMA Convening Leaders on a journey that will have them wonder whether their events would be missed if they were gone. His session, "You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See", is the first keynote address for Convening Leaders, taking place Jan. 6-9 at the David L.… more
Dec 16, 2018
The trade show industry mergers and acquisitions market shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, as several more deals were made in just the past month. Gemspring Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, is pleased to announce an affiliate has acquired the assets of Bobit Business Media, which includes shows such as BusCon, the International Car Rental Show and the Government Fleet Conference & Expo. Founded by Ed Bobit in 1961 and family-owned and operated since inception, Bobit provides a suite of digital media and marketing solutions, events and print media. The company… more
Dec 14, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has elected Thomas Cindric as its incoming Board of Directors Chairperson for 2019. In this role, Cindric will focus on the changing trade show model, increasing IAEE’s global presence and the expansion of IAEE’s CEM Learning Program and Women’s Initiatives, a vision he discussed during the Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation held Dec. 13 at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2018 in New Orleans. “It is an exciting time, not only for IAEE, but the entire exhibitions and events industry,” Cindric… 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