Blogs
Oct 26, 2014
Plastic bag bans have been cropping up in California for years, so when Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 270 on Sept. 30, which bans single-use plastic bags throughout the entire state, it seemed like the next logical step.
More than100 cities and counties in California already had laws banning or regulating plastic bags, and the statewide measure is very similar to the majority of these laws - disposable plastic bags are banned and paper bags are available for a 10-cent fee.
This law will have a tremendous impact on the environment, but it also affects how people that live in the state, as well as… more
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Oct 18, 2014
You’re a trade show exhibitor, but surely you have occasion to be a trade show visitor. As an attendee, you probably don’t care to be ignored by an exhibitor that has products in which you have an interest. At the other extreme, you don’t want an exhibitor to be all over you, particularly if his product line is of no interest to you.
Keep this in mind when the tables are turned. If someone passing your booth makes it clear that he or she has no need for your product, give them the courtesy of allowing them to proceed unhindered to the exhibits in which they have an interest. Unless you have a… more
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Oct 18, 2014
If you're going to spend the money to get space for your company at a trade show - not to mention paying for people to man the booth or losing valuable employees who could be doing their regular jobs (maybe even including you!) - you'd better make sure that it's worth it.
Trade shows can be fantastic ways to drum up excitement for your business or even launch new products because you've got a captive audience and one that should be receptive to the kinds of things you'll be selling. But the flip side of that coin is that you're also directly competing with everyone else around you for time… more
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Oct 12, 2014
For vendors, trade shows are great place to sell products, increase brand recognition, and network with potential clients However, it is also easy to disappear in a sea of competitors. Use these eleven tips to make your business and your trade show booth stand out in the eyes of potential customers:
1. Send the best trade show staff.
In business, as in life, how we present ourselves reflects on who we are. Technology has changed how we communicate, but face-to-face interaction is still the most effective way to interact with potential customers. At trade shows, the team… more
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Oct 05, 2014
There are a lot of generalizations when it comes to our industry. Many people who are unfamiliar feel the same type of planning and work goes into an exhibition, meeting, consumer event, corporate event or congress. Well, we all know that isn’t true; the planning and execution differs by the type of live event being produced. Drayage, kit rules and regulations, negotiating show floor packages, etc. often aren’t a topic of conversation with my corporate events clients. One thing that is critical across the board with corporate events is planning for attendee engagement.
After years of working… more
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Oct 05, 2014
Small and big businesses alike have found out just how powerful social media can in helping their company expand. In fact, according to CeBIT, the massive German technology show, 97 percent of consumers search for businesses online. The more technologically-advanced our society becomes, the more people will be relying on social media websites and mobile apps to help make their purchasing decisions.
While social media allows for people to conveniently network online, nothing compares to the effects of networking face-to-face, which is why trade shows continue to thrive, even in this… more
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Sep 28, 2014
I vacation in airports. Well, not really, but after more than three decades of business travel, I have surrendered and learned how to make the best of the hours I spend in airports. Here are some of my tips for surviving the time spent “on the inside,” which can make delays, long connections and other layovers almost bearable.
1) Get to know your surroundings- Don’t just head to the gate and park yourself… Spend some time walking around and looking at the “you are here” units to see what the airport offers. Airport designers have gotten smart in the last few years, adding amenities to… more
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Sep 28, 2014
There was a time when any kind of promotion or advertisement was only done by professionals. It was a time when Don Draper of Mad Men spent hours brainstorming with his team to come up with one perfect catchphrase to promote a singular product. While certainly there are still plenty of pros in publicity and advertising, social media – including blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – has changed the game of this kind of work.
You no longer necessarily need a seasoned expert to promote your product or event; you only need an Internet connection and a webpage. This is great news for some businesses… more
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Sep 21, 2014
In years past, exhibition organizers were able to take an “if we build it, they will come” approach to tradeshows, conventions, and conferences with the goal of attracting attendees in order to reel in exhibitors. Show organizers could safely tell exhibitors and sponsors the kinds of people who attend the show, often tossing around statistics like “70% of attendees are decision makers,” without too much scrutiny because there was no way to prove or disprove those numbers.
Technology changes everything
Today, every marketing dollar counts – and when your exhibitor’s tradeshow budget goes up… more
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Sep 21, 2014
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This is especially true when it comes to technology and the evolving landscape of omnichannel retail for brick-and-mortar retailers.
Once feared as an existential threat to brick-and-mortar retail, the Internet now provides retailers with tools to evolve, redefine themselves, improve engagement with customers and build their brands.
What shoppers really want is experience and relationships – with people and brands. Technology is simply another tool retailers can employ to augment and deepen these relationships and experiences.
My belief stems from… more
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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