News

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
More than 1,500 attendees were on hand for the he Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS), held in San Francisco May 11-13, to hear from a wide range of fantastic speakers on new topics and issues facing the industry.  And, it was clear that when it comes to marketing, experimentation has never been more important. In the morning keynote, CMO of Bacardi, Dima Ivanov discussed how Bacardi reviewed their brand and the customer experience in an effort to get back to the roots of the company. One key component was the identification of where the experience takes place, and maintaining that… 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
May 17, 2015
The latest in a series of webinars on TSNN is "Beyond the Hype: Discussing Effective Use of Trade Show Technology", on tap May 21 at 1 p.m. EST. Please register HERE. The use of technology in trade shows and expos has become ubiquitous. Event apps, paperless meetings, and social media walls are just par for the course. Our discussion in this webinar will be on the most effective ways to use technology at our trade shows and expos. Our panelists will discuss how they are using technology to build community, to market to attendees and exhibitors, and to gain insights into their audience. We… more
May 17, 2015
You know that your event’s mobile app forms an integral part of your digital offerings for event participants. But are you wondering how best to measure its success? Here are some key parameters that are recommended for tracking and reviewing your app's performance: 1.       Downloads – This should be the starting point for your analysis. As a next step, and to get a good idea of the reach of your promotional campaign, compare the number of downloads to your event’s total attendance (including exhibitors and speakers), social media followers… more
May 17, 2015
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio has extended its contract with Smart City Networks for an additional 10 years, effective July 1, 2018. The contract extension, which was approved during a city council meeting, will allow Smart City to provide additional services and upgrades for the venue. Smart City has served as the facility’s technology provider since Jan. 14, 1999. “Smart City has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and we look forward to providing the facility with high-quality technology as the convention center… more
May 17, 2015
You know that your event’s mobile app forms an integral part of your digital offerings for event participants. But are you wondering how best to measure its success? Here are some key parameters that are recommended for tracking and reviewing your app's performance: 1.       Downloads – This should be the starting point for your analysis. As a next step, and to get a good idea of the reach of your promotional campaign, compare the number of downloads to your event’s total attendance (including exhibitors and speakers), social media followers… more
May 17, 2015
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio has extended its contract with Smart City Networks for an additional 10 years, effective July 1, 2018. The contract extension, which was approved during a city council meeting, will allow Smart City to provide additional services and upgrades for the venue. Smart City has served as the facility’s technology provider since Jan. 14, 1999. “Smart City has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and we look forward to providing the facility with high-quality technology as the convention center… more
May 14, 2015
Spurred on by the tremendous response to the recycle program at this year’s NPE2015, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association decided to launch a new show next year – re|Focus: Recycling Summit and Expo. The goal of the show, according to organizers, is to assist brand owners, processors and the plastics supply chain to take their environmental goals from aspirational to operational. At NPE2015, which was held in April at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, 82 exhibitors participated in the program to recycle processing scrap generated on the showfloor, twice as many as at NPE2012… more
May 13, 2015
The winter thaw finally has occurred in some parts of the United States and that includes a flurry of new business contracts being signed in the past few months. The Massachusetts Dental Society extended its contract with its preferred registration partner, Convention Data Services, through 2017. Under the agreement, CDS will continue to provide full registration services, membership integration, CEU application, lead management and exhibitor services for the annual Yankee Dental Congress. “For the past nine years, the Massachusetts Dental Society has chosen to use CDS for registration and… 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