May 04, 2022
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce the approval of a 2.5 million square-foot convention center with 800,000 square feet of exhibit space and 300,000 square feet of breakout area, including 160,000 square feet of ballroom. “This news is a game changer for Dallas and will put our city on the map as the preeminent large-city convention and meeting destination in the nation,” said Craig Davis, Visit Dallas President & CEO. The center will not only be impressive on the inside, the outdoor event area will feature terraces with incredible views of downtown Dallas and the Trinity River. In… more
Mar 27, 2022
With trade shows and in-person events making a comeback, Las Vegas has set the stage for unmatched experiences with innovative and affordable venues that can bring even the boldest vision to life. Here are some of our favorites for hosting everything from inspiring keynotes to small group meetings to gatherings under the stars. Show Ready In the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, CAESARS FORUM is among the newest conference centers in the city with direct access to The LINQ Hotel + Experience, Harrah’s Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino via a sky bridge. Featuring the two… more
Mar 01, 2022
Las Vegas kicked off 2022 with multiple successful in-person events, once again proving the city’s designation as the number-one trade show destination in the U.S., and the importance of industry to the economy. The world’s most influential technology trade show, CES 2022 returned “home” to Las Vegas in January, welcoming over 2,300 exhibitors at 11 indoor and outdoor venues. It was truly a global event, with over 30 percent of attendees traveling from outside the U.S. “The CES show floor buzzed with the joy of human interaction and a five-sense innovation experience with products that… more
Dec 20, 2021
Dallas is home to some of the most impressive meeting spaces in Texas. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas is rated one of the top convention centers in the nation, and many Dallas hotels are well-equipped to host outstanding events of all sizes. But if you are looking for something truly unique, Dallas has plenty of that, too. Here are a few of our favorites: The Eyeball Lawn at the Joule Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, across the street from the luxurious Joule hotel, you’ll find a larger-than-life eye sculpture by Tony Tasset. The sculpture resides on a lush green… more
Dec 13, 2021
Following the unprecedented impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has experienced an exceptional first quarter – finishing 2021 on a high note. The Center of Hospitality has welcomed many long-standing clients and new conventions and trade shows, after many went virtual last year. As the OCCC and hospitality industry embrace 2022, the focus remains on working with both new and existing clients to ensure the Center is doing Business Better than Usual. From October through December 2021, the OCCC generated an estimated $370 million in economic… more
Nov 15, 2021
As event professionals and destinations adjust, adapt and evolve in these uncharted waters, it is imperative that substantial resources be put in place for all of the people responsible for planning and executing trade shows, expositions and conventions. An example is Mohegan Sun, which built an industry-leading, COVID-19 Resource Center with a combination of pictures from recently held successful events (the property reopened on May 1, 2020) along with several widely available and informative documents, such as an evolving operational framework: https://mohegansun.com/content/dam/mohegansun… more
Oct 28, 2021
A data-driven approach coupled with industry-wide commitment to safety have been instrumental in the return of large professional events to Las Vegas, facilitating innovation and growth and accelerating the nation’s economic recovery. Between June and September, the city has welcomed back a number of large trade shows, including World of Concrete, Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market, MAGIC, OFFPRICE Show, Vision Expo West and PACK EXPO, among others. The Las Vegas Convention Center alone hosted 25 events, and 22 more events are planned through Jan. 2022, with over 515,000 attendees expected. Open… more
Oct 05, 2021
As event professionals and destinations adjust, adapt and evolve in these uncharted waters, it is imperative that substantial resources be put in place for all of the people responsible for planning and executing trade shows, expositions and conventions. An example is Mohegan Sun, which built an industry-leading, COVID-19 Resource Center with a combination of pictures from recently held successful events (the property reopened on May 1, 2020) along with several widely available and informative documents, such as an evolving operational framework: https://mohegansun.com/content/dam/mohegansun… more
Sep 04, 2021
Las Vegas is home to world-leading tech conferences, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) re:Invent in late 2021 and CES in January 2022. It’s where the world’s brightest minds once again are coming together – in person – to discuss the very future of tech, digital transformation, and innovations to help people live and work more productively. It’s only fitting that as a destination Las Vegas is transforming the guest experience with unique venue technology ranging from secure hybrid meetings to contactless payments to some of the largest digital screens in the world. “I believe that the COVID… more
Aug 24, 2021
Even for someone like Craig Davis, who has been in the hospitality industry for more than three decades, this past year was unlike anything he had ever experienced.  Davis began his tenure as President & CEO of VisitDallas in January 2020, right before the world shutdown. Prior to VisitDallas, since 2012, he served as President & CEO of VisitPittsburgh. During his 19-year career at VisitPittsburgh, Davis also served as Executive Director of Convention Sales and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Davis’ extensive background in the hospitality industry includes experience 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