News

Feb 08, 2017
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the results of its 18th UFI Global Barometer survey. After two years of relatively stable levels of operating profit, majority of interviewed companies indicated that they expect increased turnover in 2017. The survey shows an ongoing expansion in the industry’s business activities globally, both in the survey companies’ home market as well as in new geographical markets. The majority of the companies surveyed plan to develop new activities. About 40% also plan to develop operations in new countries. “Some economists are… more
Feb 08, 2017
Trade shows dedicated to the poultry, beef and firearms industries have been enjoying extra boosts in attendance recently.  The Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show shattered its previous attendance record of 8,200 attendees by attracting 9,331 participants to its most recent event, held Feb.1-3 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. As the largest national trade show for the beef industry, the event drew 359 exhibiting companies spanning 268,000 net square feet of exhibition space. Last year, the show… more
Feb 08, 2017
UBM Asia, a UBM plc company, organised its China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shanghai (Shanghai Fair) from 18th to 21st November 2016, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The exhibition attracted almost 4,900 visitors. Covering an exhibition space of over 11,000 m2, the four-day show featured some 260 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Germany, India, Korea, Thailand, U.S., Hong Kong and Taiwan. Of the 4,870 visitors, 4,636 were from Mainland China and 234 were from overseas and Hong Kong. At… more
Feb 08, 2017
IMPACT Exhibition Management reports that it has invested US$159.4 million over a three-year period to develop facilities, with the aim of diversifying its offerings and attaining a more balanced revenue stream. The ibis Bangkok IMPACT hotel and The Portal, a four-storey retail building, will open in March. IMPACT Speed Park, a go-kart circuit, was launched late last year. The water park is scheduled to be completed by October 2018, featuring a seven-hectare plot. Construction of Pullman hotel will begin next year, replacing the Eastin Lakeside Hotel and will start operations in 2019. Paul… more
Feb 08, 2017
IMPACT Exhibition Management reports that it has invested US$159.4 million over a three-year period to develop facilities, with the aim of diversifying its offerings and attaining a more balanced revenue stream. The ibis Bangkok IMPACT hotel and The Portal, a four-storey retail building, will open in March. IMPACT Speed Park, a go-kart circuit, was launched late last year. The water park is scheduled to be completed by October 2018, featuring a seven-hectare plot. Construction of Pullman hotel will begin next year, replacing the Eastin Lakeside Hotel and will start operations in 2019. Paul… more
Feb 07, 2017
Emerald Expositions’ Outdoor Retailer has opened the door to possibly moving its show out of its long-time home at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The show recently announced, in cooperation with Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, that it will solicit proposals for venue locations for shows and events scheduled for November 2018 and beyond. “Outdoor Retailer has always been about ‘Right time, right place, right stuff,’” said Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer. She added, “We… more
Feb 06, 2017
The brisk hiring trend that kicked off the beginning of the year has continued, with several companies that serve the bustling trade show industry making hires. RD Whitney was appointed as executive vice president of Business Development Tarsus Americas, a division of U.K.-based Tarsus Group, with immediate effect Feb. 1. RD previously was group vice president at Diversified Communications overseeing a growing portfolio of business communities and events. Prior to Diversified, and in just 27 months as a Partner at Greenhaven Partners, RD transformed former BNA (now Bloomberg) publishing… more
Feb 06, 2017
In response to the retail fashion industry’s growing concern about how President Trump’s administration may impact global trade and apparel manufacturing, SOURCING at MAGIC will be hosting a special educational seminar, “Post Election: Trump and Trade,” at MAGIC, taking place Feb. 21-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Convention Center. As one of 13 showfloor categories at the largest biannual U.S. trade show for the global retail fashion industry, SOURCING at MAGIC is dedicated to the global supply chain. With this segment of the fashion industry potentially facing a host… more
Feb 06, 2017
We can talk all day about what the trade show industry and our employers are or are not doing to promote, protect, and compensate women (and we will), but are women doing enough to get the promotions, protections, and compensation that they deserve? Some women will say that we shouldn’t have to do anything, that equality is equality. Others might say that if anything is worth having, it’s worth working toward methodically. There may also be a group of women that is simply happy with where they are and where they’re going. What about you? In this week’s discussion, Michelle Bruno will solicit… more
Feb 03, 2017
Earlier this week, Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky announced the selection of the design-build team for the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s $1.5 billion expansion project. Following a rigorous evaluation process with the help of five groups of technical experts, a blue-ribbon selection panel chose LendLease Turner to coordinate and construct the massive project. The panel’s recommendation was approved by the board of directors of the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development that owns the convention… 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