News
Feb 12, 2017
GES had a good 2016, with the division of the parent company Viad closing out the year with $1,054.7 billion in revenues, compared with $976.9 million in 2015 – an 8-percent uptick.
Fourth-quarter revenues also saw a slight increase, up to $246.2 million from $244.5 million during the same time period in 2015, a 0.7-percent increase.
“GES delivered solid fourth quarter results to finish the year in line with our prior guidance,” said Steve Moster, Viad president and CEO, president of GES.
He added, “For the full year, positive show rotation, continued underlying business strength and… more
Feb 12, 2017
As mobile devices overtake desktops in popularity, digital devices become increasingly inter-connected, and AI, AR, and VR become household buzzwords, it’d be natural to assume that digital technology is undermining the centricity of human-driven interaction in marketing.
But take a closer look at the top digital marketing forecasts for this year, as well a review of the opinions of the leading experts in the field, and you will find that people-driven digital marketing is still of paramount importance in driving prospect nurturing.
Here are the three top digital marketing trends that… more
Feb 11, 2017
As a full-service technology solutions provider for the events industry, Core-apps works to stay at the forefront of new and innovative ways to help trade show clients better meet the needs of their attendees.
One of those clients is SHOT Show, the largest trade show and conference for the firearms industry, held annually in Las Vegas.
With its wide array of firearms-themed tchotchkes and giveaways, SHOT Show is one of several Las Vegas trade shows known to cause TSA security delays at McCarran International Airport when attendees attempt to bring items home with them that might need a second… more
Feb 11, 2017
Transdev, the public transit management company that manages operations for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in New Orleans, demonstrated its self-driving shuttle, the EZ10, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu gave remarks, along with representatives from the RTA, Easy Mile and Transdev.
The EZ10 is a driverless and electric shuttle that can transport up to 12 people. The shuttle has no steering wheel and neither a dedicated front nor back. The EZ10 operates autonomously following a virtual line mapped and loaded in the software of the vehicle.
The… more
Feb 10, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, the association for the exhibitions and events industry, has chosen Louisville as its host destination in December of 2020.
This will be the first time this large industry event is held in Louisville and will utilize the expanded convention center and downtown hotel properties.
IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition, Expo! Expo!, is considered “a trade show for trade show professionals.”
This annual event brings upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals together - 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers - to exchange… more
Feb 10, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named the UBM EMEA – Sleep Event as winner of the 2017 UFI Marketing Award.
The theme for this year’s UFI Marketing Award was “From show organizers to industry gurus – Success stories from evolving business”.
This award was designed to recognize outstanding success stories from businesses that have built on their roles as event organizers to become valued exhibition industry experts. In order to be successful, this evolution requires the right strategy, the right talent – and tremendous effort.
The UFI Marketing Award jury… more
Feb 09, 2017
For the first time in 50 years, SECO International will move SECO, the annual conference providing the optometry industry educational opportunities since 1924, out of Atlanta and to New Orleans.
This move marks the first time SECO has held a meeting outside of Atlanta since 1957. SECO 2019 will take place Feb. 20–24 at the New Orleans Ernest Morial Convention Center.
“We’re excited to bring SECO to a new city and believe the move will energize the conference on all fronts, giving us the creative luxury to reimagine the event strategy to ensure the show is meeting the business and education… more
Feb 09, 2017
Last year was a good one for Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s recently released 2016 Executive Summary.
Driven by strong demand in both the leisure and convention segments, the city experienced another record-breaking year for convention attendance and visitation.
For the third year in a row, Las Vegas broke its visitation record, welcoming 42.9 million people to the destination, a 1.5% increase compared with 2015, while nearly 22,000 meetings attracted more than 6.3 million attendees to the city, a 7.1 percent increase compared to the year before… more
Feb 08, 2017
The 62nd edition of Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders, which took place Jan. 7-10 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., welcomed 4,457 participants from 45 countries – a year-over-year increase of 7 percent - setting a new attendance record for the annual event.
Of the total attendance, 54 percent were Business Events Strategists - PCMA members and non-members drawn from the association and corporate sectors (80 percent and 20 percent, respectively) - and 43 percent industry suppliers.
On top of the in-person attendance in Nashville, 1,604 participants… more
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
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