News
May 01, 2013
Released last month, the Digital Event Benchmark Report, conducted by Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) and commissioned by Freeman, gives insight into how some organizations are using online events to reach their audiences.
The study included a cross-section of the event industry with representation from associations, corporate event planners, trade show organizers, conference producers and agencies, with more than 200 survey participants.
Just under 80 percent of survey participants produce physical events, with 70 percent of those respondents also producing online events. More than half of… more
Apr 30, 2013
In early April, 13,000 attendees from the United States and 70 other countries attended the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) 2013 Conference and Expo in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand hotel and conference center.
The conference and expo, which is run by Nielsen Expositions and was held April 7-14, reports it is the largest show in the world for wedding and portrait photographers.
"WPPI 2013 had something for everyone! With so many options and opportunities for learning, choosing which Platform, Master and Plus classes to take was challenging and exciting for our… more
Apr 29, 2013
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is setting it sites on the growing Latin American market with the planned launch of CONEXPO Latin America in 2015 in Santiago, Chile.
Plans for CONEXPO Latin America were unveiled during an AEM press conference April 18 at the bauma trade fair in Munich, Germany.
AEMhas signed a letter of intent with the Chilean Chamber of Construction to collocate CONEXPO Latin America with the Chamber’s Edifica exposition to be held October 2015.
“We value our longstanding relationship with the Chamber, and this collocation complements our mutual… more
Apr 29, 2013
If the activity on the showfloor at LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) is any indication of the health of the trade show industry, expos are back in business.
Not only were the aisles and booths crowded, but also what really stood out was the amount of people walking around with a smile on their face and a jaunt in their step.
While some of this positivity could be attributed to the foosball and table tennis in one showfloor lounge, it certainly cannot take all the credit.
LFI, which ran April 23-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, had in excess of 233,000 net square feet… more
Apr 29, 2013
PMMI, the owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, will launch a new event, PACK EXPO East, which will be held Feb. 2-4, 2015, in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center.
“There’s a real need in the market for first-class events that are a bit closer to home,” says Rick Fox Jr., president, Fox IV Technologies, who chairs PMMI’s Board of Directors.
He added, “About 18 months ago, PMMI commissioned Westat, a leading research firm, to reach out to customers about the need for a regional event, and if they would support one. The results were… more
Apr 29, 2013
Cleveland-based I-X Center’s decision to buy the Cleveland AUTO-RAMA show and combine it with its existing I-X Piston Power Show for the first time this year paid off, with 35,000 attendees getting the opportunity to check out more than 1,000 piston-powered vehicles during the three-day event.
The newly named show - Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama – was held March 15-17 and covered 1 million square feet at the I-X Center.
“Tens of thousands of enthusiasts came to the show, including many fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and grandchildren,… more
Apr 29, 2013
The American Society of Association Executives recently introduced the first Diversity + Inclusion (D+I) tool for associations called the Association Inclusion Index.
It is an online, diagnostic tool that evaluates D+I policies, philosophies and practices against community standards.
The tool offers strategies and solutions for expanding an organization’s reach, relevance and reputation through practicing inclusive excellence.
“It’s critical for organizations to understand how diversity and inclusion plays a practical role in staffing, recruiting, retaining, and engaging… more
Apr 28, 2013
a2z's Quarterly Tradeshow Industry Index report, which analyzes data through the first three months of the calendar year 2013 (Q1 of CY 2013) has just been released for Q1.
The Index reflects a stronger-than-expected 3.1 percent quarter-over-quarter growth in net square footage in Q1 of CY 2013. This is a stronger gain than was predicted at the end Q4 of 2012.
The Index also forecasts NSF growth to come in at a significantly higher rate of 5.9 percent for Q2 of FY 2013. This is good news for the tradeshow industry, given the fact that the U.S. economy is projected to grow at a more… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO.
When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search.
It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO.
When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search.
It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… 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