News

Aug 11, 2016
Expanding its portfolio of offerings even more, GES, a global full-service provider for live events, has acquired ON Event Services, a leading provider of live event audio visual production services that includes audio, video, lighting, mapping and scenic design. In addition, ON Event Services produces high-end entertainment events and provides in-house audio visual services to hotels, arenas, and conference centers. This expansion enables GES to serve more fully the live event needs of clients with industry-leading audio visual and event production services that engage participants and… more
Aug 09, 2016
The Destination Marketing Association International Annual Convention saw their attendee numbers rise, with 1,500 taking part in its recent event held Aug. 1-3 in Minneapolis. Attendees spent the time engaging in general sessions, discipline-focused roundtables and networking. Throughout the program, DMAI’s association and foundation leadership recognized and celebrated those whom have demonstrated commitment and promise towards the continued success of destination marketing worldwide.  This year, 42 industry representatives received their CDME certification; 18 DMOs were honored for… more
Aug 09, 2016
As the long summer days begin their slow turn into fall leaves and back-to-school times, companies in the trade show industry have continued to grow their businesses with new and returning business contracts. Middle East event organizer F&E, a Tarsus Group company, has appointed GES as official supplier in an agreement until the end of 2019. The agreement includes delivering services for F&E’s aerospace portfolio – the MEBAA Show and the Dubai Airshow, taking place at DWC, Airshow Site; collocated shows Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) and MRO Middle East - plus education… more
Aug 08, 2016
ASD Market Week’s recent show saw buyer attendance up 10 percent, compared with last year’s August event, with a compound annual growth of 12 percent, compared with the last two years. “ASD Market Week is the comprehensive consumer goods trade show in United States,” explained Karalynn Sprouse, executive vice president of Merchandise, International Sourcing and Manufacturing Groups for Emerald Expositions. She added, “We are a one-stop shop for retail store owners, buyers as well as distributors and importers to source, discover and purchase the largest assortment of merchandise from around… more
Aug 08, 2016
Have you ever wanted to capture all the content you’re taking in onsite at an event and have easy access to the notes afterward? There’s an app for that. Core-apps has entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to acquire the company’s Conference Notes iPad app, including the associated technology. Core-apps, a mobile app and event management technology platform for the trade show industry, and AstraZeneca have a shared goal to expand Conference Notes. The acquisition will allow Core-apps to scale the technology and for AstraZeneca to continue to utilize the app for medical… more
Aug 07, 2016
Global Experience Specialists’ parent company Viad continued to perform better than expectations, with its second-quarter earnings results showing a $7.7 million revenue increase to $324.7 million, compared with the same quarter last year. Management previously had guided for a revenue decline of $4 million to $17 million, primarily due to show rotation and exchange rate variances. GES’ 2Q revenues were down slightly to $285.4 million, compared with $286.6 million during the same quarter the year before. “GES exceeded guidance for the second quarter with stronger than expected growth from… more
Aug 07, 2016
Last month, on July 5 to be precise, NASA made history by putting a solar powered space probe into a polar orbit around Jupiter.  After covering a distance of 1.74 billion miles and accelerating to a mind-boggling 74 km/s, Juno (as this very aptly named probe is called) changed its trajectory to settle into an orbit that was off the planned course by only one second. This stupendous navigational feat will enable NASA’s team to proceed with future orbits and science experiments as planned, without having to make any major adjustments. What a great achievement! This may be an… more
Aug 05, 2016
Light Reading, a content-driven media business focusing on the telecom industry, has been sold to Informa, a global business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Light Reading will join Informa’s Knowledge & Networking Division, which currently consists of a portfolio of specialist content, data products and high quality confexes in several key verticals, including TMT. This acquisition is part of an expansion of Informa’s TMT capabilities. One of Light Reading’s larger events is the Cable-Tec Expo, on tap Sept. 26-29… more
Aug 02, 2016
Emerald Expositions has acquired The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) from M&M Gift Shows. Started in 2000 by Susan Mills and Jerry Mayer, IGES now is one of the largest gatherings of wholesale souvenir, resort and gift buyers in the United States. The show encompasses two events – IGES and The Souvenir Super Show (SSS), the latter focusing on custom souvenirs. Both take place concurrently in November each year at two locations in eastern Tennessee - Pigeon Forge and Sevierville - which are only seven miles apart. “For the longest time we’ve had great respect for the… more
Aug 02, 2016
TSNN’s annual report on the Top 250 Trade Shows is an industry standard that is used by trade show producers to benchmark show performance and as a resource to industry suppliers. Bear Analytics and TSNN have now taken the rich Trade Show performance dataset and created a series of Top 250 performance dashboards that allow users to interact with the data, draw comparisons, and explore the trends driving the industry’s top Trade Shows. “The TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list ranks the top shows by net square footage,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Bear Analytics was able to take this… 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