News

Apr 13, 2017
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center will be getting much-needed nearby hotel room inventory when a new Omni Hotel & Resorts-branded hotel opens in early 2021. An agreement for the $550 million project was signed between the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts. With a variety of innovative guest amenities, the hotel will be among the city’s largest, with 1,050-plus rooms and suites, as well as 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, which includes a 25,000 sq. ft. grand ballroom. These are key features that meeting planners… more
Apr 13, 2017
Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hannover, Germany’s Deutsche Messe will combine two of HANNOVER MESSE portfolio trade shows, Industrial Automation and Motion, Drive & Automation, to form Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives (IAMD). The new trade show will feature the full range of industrial automation, power transmission and fluid power solutions for the factory of the future. “Industry 4.0 and the global manufacturing markets desire for digitally integrated products is the driving force behind this merger,” said Larry Turner, president and CEO of HFUSA. He added, “… more
Apr 13, 2017
The trade show industry continues to be alive and well, with several suppliers inking new deals with to manage venues, oversee housing and take care of registration. Aberdeen City Council has named SMG to manage the existing AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Scotland) ahead of a move to its newly built home near Aberdeen International Airport in 2019. The partnership follows last year’s announcement that SMG was awarded preferred bidder status to manage, operate and program the new $416 million complex. The new state-of-the art venue will include a 12,500 seat arena with a… more
Apr 13, 2017
T3 Expo and Intelligent Product Solutions have developed T3 Tracker, a new mobile app solution designed to help trade show exhibitors and organizers track, locate or find shipped items at convention venues in an easy, hassle-free and systematic way. Currently available on the Google Android platform, the app is intended to solve the frustration and anxiety experienced by marketing executives and event organizers trying to locate goods that have been “dropped” at a trade show location with hundreds of thousands of other deliveries in a building that can be more than a million… more
Apr 12, 2017
As more sustainably minded shows seek to track, measure and lessen their environmental impact, it makes sense that green event industry organizations would answer the call by providing comprehensive tools that give organizers frameworks for accomplishing those objectives. Launched on March 25 to coincide with Earth Hour, the MeetGreen Calculator 2.0 for Sustainable Events is designed to measure sustainable event management practices by assessing the environmental impact of conference activities in several key areas, allowing event organizers to benchmark their achievements and compare… more
Apr 11, 2017
Yarn Expo Spring concluded its 2017 edition last month with high satisfaction from both exhibitors and buyers. Held from March 15-17 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair attracted 22,579 visitors from 94 countries and regions (2016: 20,527, 77 countries and regions) to source a large variety of yarn and fibre products brought by a total of 393 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions (2016: 309, 11 countries and regions), a 10 percent and 27 percent increase, respectively. The top 10 overseas visitor countries and regions were Australia, Hong Kong, India,… more
Apr 11, 2017
The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) recently released a press release to clarify the position of its members in relation to the plans of the Hong Kong government to add exhibition venue capacity. In the press release, HKECIA stated, “the Association and its members are keen to see expansion at both of the existing venues (AWE and HKCEC) but do not favour the option of a third venue in the city as this will not solve the problem of trade organisers seeking to hold a large-scale meetings and exhibitions under one roof. Over the past three decades Hong Kong… more
Apr 11, 2017
Reed Exhibitions Greater China appointed Josephine Lee to the role of COO, effective April 1. Lee takes up the appointment after several successful years as senior vice president and later in 2016 as executive vice president of Reed Exhibitions Greater China.  In this new position, in addition to sales and marketing responsibilities, Lee will oversee Reed Greater China’s entire portfolio of events, as well as the operations team. Josephine Lee joined Reed Exhibitions Greater China in 2003 and was a core part of the setup of its Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen offices.  She also has… more
Apr 11, 2017
Italy-based BolognaFiere has launched a new copyright trade and licensing show dedicated to publishing, international rights and licensing. The show will bring U.S. publishers and agents together with their global counterparts and will attract booksellers and librarians to both groups. , The new event is scheduled for May 30– June 1, 2018 and will be held in midtown Manhattan. “BolognaFiere is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural cooperation and international trade among publishers,” said Franco Boni president of BolognaFiere. “With the debut of this new trade show, BolognaFiere extends its… more
Apr 11, 2017
Global Sources will open its spring trade show series next month in Hong Kong. In total, the company’s events will feature more than 8,800 booths at its exhibition held at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). Global Sources Electronics will be held in two phases. The first phase will run April 11-4, showcasing 3,600 booths focused on consumer electronics, virtual reality and gaming, electronic components and smart living. The second phase, Mobile Electronics, will be held April 18-21, featuring categories such as smartphones, tablets, wearables, accessories, and AR/VR. The organiser expects more than 2,600… 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