New Business Contracts: SmithBucklin, Convention Data Services, Experient Sign with Clients

February 15, 2017

With winter almost over and springtime right around the corner, several suppliers to the trade show industry recently snagged new clients or re-signed existing ones.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has selected Convention Data Services (CDS) as its new registration partner.

Under the agreement, CDS will provide full registration, lead retrieval services, integrations and a full-service contact center for PLASTICS’ events — NPE: The Plastics Show, and the Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit. 

“PLASTICS has a strong focus on innovation and technology to create connections and showcase our industry,” said Phyllis Hortie, senior director of Tradeshow Services, Plastics Industry Association.

She added, “We believe CDS' innovative and flexible approach will best meet the needs of our members, exhibitors and event attendees.”

David Lawton, executive vice president of Sales, Convention Data Services, said, “We believe our CDS team is a great fit for the Plastics Industry Association’s events and we look forward to a long-term partnership with their association,”

He added, “Our consultative approach to events will provide the PLASTICS team with custom ideas for using our cutting-edge technology, best practices and new ideas to help them achieve their event goals.”

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has selected SmithBucklin, an association management and services company, to provide full-service association management.

The council's CEO, Karen Kotowski, CAE CMP, will continue to serve as CIC's CEO, and its headquarters will move April 1 to 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The Convention Industry Council was founded in 1949 by four organizations to facilitate the exchange of information within the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

CIC has grown to include 33 member organizations representing over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties.

"In addition to feeling very honored to serve CIC, we are also thrilled to welcome Karen Kotowski to our SmithBucklin team," said Jim McNeil, executive vice president and CEO, Business + Trade Industry Practice.

He added, "Together, we are committed to helping CIC achieve its mission. We embrace the board's vision for events industry excellence and are thrilled to help CIC create value for its member organizations and achieve the growth that the board envisions."

Experient, A Maritz Global Events Company, and SMG, a convention center management firm, recently finalized a preferred partner agreement that continues a long-standing relationship between the two companies since 2005.

The new agreement will help both companies expand their business opportunities by focusing on each company’s collective venue and planning services.

“We have always seen the parallels between our two organizations,” said Gregg Caren, executive vice president of SMG’s Convention Center Division.

He added,  “We both offer best-in-class service to our mutual clients. This new and expanded partnership is a ‘renewal of vows’ so to speak. It will encourage even more event activity at our facilities by simplifying the process of contracting with our convention centers, and providing added benefits for clients.”

By expanding the partnership, customers will save time and money thanks to a more streamlined contract process.

“This continued partnership is further evidence that both of our companies are committed to provide the best service to our clients,” said Michael Guerriero, division president of Experient.

He added, “We have enjoyed working with SMG over the last 12 years for the mutual benefit of our clients and look forward to the continuation of this partnership. The combination of SMG and Experient’s industry-leading event management services and the expertise of our event professionals help create one-of-a-kind events for clients with  exceptional results.” 

Urban Expositions has selected CompuSystems as its new registration partner to service three restaurant shows. 

Under this three-year agreement CompuSystems will provide registration, lead retrieval, data warehousing and analytics services to the New York Restaurant, Western Food Service and Florida Restaurant shows.

Urban Expositions, a Clarion Events Company, produces and manages a portfolio of 35 events covering six sectors.  Urban offers a suite of trade show management services and through a logical, hands-on approach, they’ve become one of the fastest growing and most successful trade show companies in the United States.

“We’re very excited to be servicing these leading restaurant events.  Urban was looking to improve the registration and lead retrieval products being used internally and by their registrants. Our suite of products and services will definitely take them to the next level,” said Chris Williams, president, CompuSystems.

Add new comment

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