Oct 21, 2013
After feedback from key industry players and the Thai Beer Industry Guild, the dates for the launch of Bevtec Asia have been changed from early 2014 to May 6–8, 2015.  The Bevtec Asia committee decided not to hold the exhibition in 2014 when two ASEAN industry conferences in the same three months period are already scheduled, also with so many buyers focused on the AEC 2015 free-trade market changes and its opportunities. The new dates also allow the trade fair to expand its exhibit space to more than 10,000 square meters at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre… more
Oct 21, 2013
Self-installing car seats and organic bedding wasn’t just baby talk at ABC Kids Expo, the largest maternity and juvenile products trade show that took place Oct. 15-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With 1 million square feet, 14,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors, this has been the second best year for the show. Many of its areas are growing, but with economy just barely coming back and Internet commerce rapidly gaining speed, the model for success is changing. “Majority of our attendees used to mom-and-pop stores,” said Larry Schur, ABC Kids Expo president.… more
Oct 21, 2013
Through an intensive marketing campaign, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has secured several high-profile North American events that will bring in more 12,500 attendees and RM186 million (US 58 million) of economic impact. Angeline Lue, director of sales and marketing for the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said the centre is seeing increasing awareness of Malaysia as a growing business events hub in the Asia Pacific region. That awareness is mainly thanks to its aggressive engagement and marketing campaigns since it started reaching out to the North American meetings market two years… more
Oct 21, 2013
The 7th edition of Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology broke records this year, with a huge 62 percent visitor increase. The three-day event welcomed 12,762 professional visitors from 50 countries and region Sept. 25-27 at its new venue, Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The fair presented the latest technologies and solutions in intelligent building development from around the world. In total, 135 exhibitors participated in the 2013 show and utilized 10,000 square meters of exhibition space. “I am more than pleased with the performance of the show’s 2013 edition.… more
Oct 20, 2013
Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Bob Costas and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will headline the program at the TEAMS '13 Conference & Expo when the event runs Nov. 4-7 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both will appear at the show’s opening general session Nov. 5. This year won’t be their first time at TEAMS, with Romney taking part in 2001 and Costas appearing for the fourth time. In 2001, Romney was the head of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He currently serves on the board of… more
Oct 20, 2013
When Bob Vaez, president and CEO of EventMobi, heard about Double Robotics remotely controlled, mobile teleconferencing system robot a couple years ago,he knew there would be a place for it in the trade show and expo world one day. That day came for Vaez and the EventMobi team last week when they exhibited at IMEX America in Las Vegas. EventMobi invited customers and media, who were not attending IMEX America, to visit their booth remotely via the robot. The Double Robotics telepresence robot looks a bit like a mini Segway. The iPad stand is attached to a dual-wheel base allowing… more
Oct 17, 2013
The third edition of IMEX America, a trade show and conference for incentive travel, meetings and events, brought a taste of global destinations Oct. 15-17 to the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Modeled after IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America brought about 2,700 mostly U.S.-based hosted buyers (up from 2,400 last year) and 1,700 attendees, who got a chance to connect with about 2,700 exhibitors representing 200 countries. The size of the showfloor was up 17 percent at 140,000 square feet. “This has clearly been another year of significant growth,” said Ray Bloom,… more
Oct 15, 2013
Convention and visitors bureaus all over the United States made several hires in positions ranging from sales and marketing to business development. In addition, other companies also kept us the brisk hiring pace that has been the trend for the past year. The Fort Worth (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB) named Mitch Whitten as the new vice president of marketing and communications. A long-time resident of Fort Worth, Whitten is set to begin his new position Oct. 2. On Nov. 18, Amy Patterson will join Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) as vice president, business… more
Oct 14, 2013
Gear Expo 2013, owned by the American Gear Manufacturers Association, saw growth in all three metrics – attendance, exhibitors and net square footage – at its recent show. The biennial event, held Sept. 17-19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, attracted more than 3,400 industry professionals, an 11.8-percent increase in attendance, compared with 2011. The sold-out showfloor also had 219 exhibiting companies this year, a 26-percent increase, compared with 2011, and a 52,500 net square foot showfloor, which grew 29 percent since the 2011 show. National Trade… more
Oct 14, 2013
Convention Centers have identified growing international competition and government policies toward meetings and events participation as their top concerns heading into a period of slow economic recovery, according to the latest annual survey carried out by AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres. The survey, carried out between April and June 2013, achieved a 65 percent response rate from centers in 54 countries, with heavy participation from Europe. "Growing competition amongst centers worldwide has been an issue for some years, but this very real spike in… 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