News
Dec 06, 2016
By Kai Hattendorf, UFI managing director/CEO
Predicting the future is basically impossible. But estimated guesses are possible, even in times as these. So, as in previous years, we have held many conversations on showfloors, at conferences, and at numerous events all around the world to identify the core themes that the UFI team feels will impact the global exhibition industry in 2017. So today, let me share with you “UFI’s 5 trends to watch in 2017”:
1. Growing uncertainties
In recent months, we have seen a U.K. vote on Brexit, a failed coup in Turkey, growing tensions between Russia and the… more
Dec 05, 2016
U.K.-based Tarsus Group made its second recent major acquisition by scooping up 80 percent of the issued share capital of Connect Meetings, a market-leading U.S. business travel and meetings event organizer headquartered in Atlanta.
Connect Meetings is a provider of trade shows that serve the business travel and meetings sector through a combination of national, regional and vertically focused events that are supplemented by an integrated media offering and additional marketing solutions.
“Connect Meetings is a strong brand, led by an entrepreneurial team with a track record of delivering… more
Dec 05, 2016
a2z, Inc., a provider of award-winning web and mobile solutions for event organizers and participants, will launch ChirpE Meet at Expo! Expo! 2016 in Anaheim, on tap Dec. 6-8.
A fully functional, native app that's available completely free of cost to a2z's clients, ChirpE Meet will significantly simplify the search and planning experience for attendee,s as well as extend exhibitors' visibility to their target audience.
Available for download on Apple iTunes and Google Play, ChirpE Meet includes the following eventspecific features: · Interactive Event Map · Exhibitor… more
Dec 03, 2016
The original inspiration behind EXPOCAD® was to help engineers with computer-aided design (CAD) software. Paul Ososky, a plastics engineer, his brother Mike, a process engineer (now President and CTO), and Rich Stone, a synthetic fuels researcher (now CEO), started EXPOCAD’s parent company A.C.T., Inc. in 1986.
“Like any startup, life was not easy,” said Stone. “Frugal was an understatement. We started in a closet … it was only big enough for two people. If one had to leave the office, the other had to walk out into the
hall to let them out.”
A third Ososky brother, Peter, joined as a… more
Dec 03, 2016
=Sean Guerre is a media entrepreneur and currently is the co-founder of Stone Fort Group- a Live Event & Digital Media startup serving b2b communities in the Energy, Transportation and Workforce/HR markets.
His claim to fame is serving as a former chairman of the Society of Independent Show Organizers, and he has been a keynote presenter and speaker at SISO, IAEE, Folio, Niche EventFest and CEIR Predict.
Prior to founding Stone Fort Group, he co-founded TradeFair Group (energy media), which was sold in 2012 to private equity firm Veronis, Suhler & Stevenson.
Guerre graduated from… more
Dec 02, 2016
Shepard, a trade show services and event production company, has launched Shepard Audio Visual Services to add to its growing line of offerings.
“In order to increase customer satisfaction, it is our responsibility to grow our offering with new and innovative services,” said Carl Mitchell, Shepard’s executive chairman.
He added, “We are committed to making investments that will enhance and streamline the planning process for the events we serve.”
Industry veteran and AV expert Stuart Danneman has joined the Shepard team as vice president of audio visual services to spearhead the launch and… more
Dec 01, 2016
Informa Beijing and Shanghai Zhanye Exhibition Co., Ltd have formed a joint venture, Shanghai Yingye Exhibition Co., Ltd, to launch the World of Concrete Asia, which will showcase a full range of products from the World of Concrete, China Floor Expo (CFE) and China Mortar Expo (CME) brands.
The new partnership will begin from the next edition of CFE/CME fairs on, which will be held Dec. 4-6, 2017, in the Shanghai New International Expo Center.
The joint venture will expand the brand’s international reach and expand these leading construction and material industry trade shows in China and… more
Nov 30, 2016
TSNN and Access Intelligence Research have released the second report in its TSNN Research series: The Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales Best Practices Study: How Leading Convention & Exhibition Producers are Selling More Exhibit Space and Sponsorship Opportunities.
TSNN and Access Intelligence Research have developed this exclusive industry study to help convention and exhibition producers analyze and benchmark their exhibit space and sponsorship sales and marketing strategies.
The focus of the study is on the most effective strategies and tactics, and other related topics and metrics. The… more
Nov 30, 2016
Cvent and Lanyon Solutions, providers of cloud-based enterprise event management technology solutions, merged their two companies creating a global meeting, event and travel technology leader.
The merger is effective immediately, and the companies will combine business operations in the coming year.
Vista Equity Partners, owner of Lanyon, has completed its previously announced acquisition of all outstanding Cvent common stock for $36.00 per share in a transaction valued at approximately $1.65 billion.
The combined company will be privately held and operate under the Cvent brand.… more
Nov 29, 2016
The trade show industry continues to grow, even if it’s slightly, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s latest Q3 CEIR Index results.
The third quarter posted a moderate year-on-year gain of 1.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016, compared with 1.6 percent in the second quarter.
Faster growth was primarily attributable to a rebound in attendees and it also marked the 25th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. In addition, the industry has continued to outperform the macroeconomy for seven quarters straight.
"Improvement in exhibition performance amidst… 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