News
Apr 06, 2017
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and leaders from across the meetings industry are joining together today for the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day (#GMID17), with more than 100 events in 90-plus locations spanning nearly 25 countries and six continents.
This international day of advocacy showcases the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.
Thousands of industry professionals are participating in today’s events, coupled with a robust social conversation to ensure… more
Apr 06, 2017
CORT Event Furnishings has become the first rental company to offer a free 3D space planning design tool to its clients.
The meetings, exhibit and events industry furnishings provider recently partnered with Social Tables, an event management software company, to integrate a proprietary custom version of Social Tables’ online Space Planner on CORT’s website.
Clients have the ability to design their event in 2D, view and share in 3D and automatically request quotes for CORT products based on their design.
The platform’s advanced functionality also allows clients to select… more
Apr 05, 2017
In an effort to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and attract more sustainably minded events, Detroit’s Cobo Center has achieved APEX/ASTM Venue Standard recertification.
Developed by ASTM International and the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), the Venue Standard is one of nine APEX/ASTM Standards for Sustainable Meetings and Events that were created by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide planners and suppliers with specific guidelines and performance measurements for producing more environmentally… more
Apr 04, 2017
Northstar Travel Group acquired not only the TEAMS Conference + Expo and Meetings Quest conferences from Schneider Publishing, but also magazine titles SportsTravel and Association News.
Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing, joins Northstar Travel Group as founder and chairman of the company's new Sports Division.
The division will be a part of Northstar's Meetings Group, which includes Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meeting News, and Incentive, and the Group's integrated data, digital, and in-person event… more
Apr 04, 2017
More and more trade shows are making corporate social responsibility in their host communities an annual tradition, and EXHIBITORLIVE is no exception.
For the third year in a row, the annual trade show and conference for trade show marketers held a book drive in partnership with Spread the Word Nevada, a Henderson, Nev.-based non-profit dedicated to advancing childhood literacy within low-income communities by providing books for at-risk elementary school students.
Held March 12-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, EXHIBITORLIVE attracted 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors… more
Mar 31, 2017
A record 300-plus C-level executives, sponsors and guests spent a few sun-drenched days at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., for the 2017 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ CEO Summit.
“The SISO CEO Summit is the largest and more important event of the year for the for-profit side of the global exhibition/event industry and the most valuable part of the event are the participants, they make the event the success it is,” said SISO Executive Director David Audrain.
He added, “The majority of the program is an open dialogue and contribution from our members/participants, and it is… more
Mar 31, 2017
Just two months after Emerald Expositions was rumoured to be going on the sales block for an estimated $2 billion, the company switched gears and has filed with the SEC to raise an estimated $250 million in an initial public offering, according to a regulatory filing today.
The San Juan Capistrano (Calif.)-based company generated $323.7 million of revenue, $22.2 million of net income, $63.6 million of adjusted net income and $89.6 million of free cash flow in 2016.
Emerald President and CEO David Loechner declined to comment at this time.
According to news reports, Emerald said all of… more
Mar 31, 2017
Visit Anaheim has harnessed the power of virtual reality by launching its first VR video showcasing authentic Anaheim experiences for the meetings and events industry.
The immersive video is the newest addition to the destination marketing association’s set of marketing tools it is leveraging to educate show organizers and meeting planners about the southern California destination, as well as give them a sense of what it’s like to be an event attendee in Anaheim.
The video’s storyline begins at the Anaheim Convention Center and moves throughout four other diverse locations… more
Mar 31, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson
Leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies chose INTERPHEX 2017 to launch their newest products, with 20 companies debuting new technology at the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry trade show held March 21-23 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
In its 38th year, INTERPHEX offered attendees a mix of content including more than 104 conference education sessions, INTERPHEX Live discussions, hundreds of exhibits and product launches.
The show experienced attendee growth, compared with 2016, and attributes much of that to its robust… more
Mar 30, 2017
Nursing mothers now have a couple of private sanctuaries to retreat to when attending conventions and meetings at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
The SMG-managed facility has installed two portable lactation suites for female attendees and exhibitors wishing to breast feed their infants or use breast pumps in privacy.
“We are offering the new lactation suites during conventions, meetings, and trade shows to offer comfort and convenience for our guests,” said Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the HCCC.
He continued, “Young mothers have had to utilize public restroom spaces or… 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