News

May 04, 2016
Exposition Development Company (ExpoDevCo) and Progressive Business Media (PBM) have teamed up for the launch of the Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo (HFMSE), a trade show showcasing solutions for home furnishings manufacturers. HFMSE, on tap June 7-8, 2017, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, will be the only trade show of its kind in the U.S. serving the $150 billion home furnishings industry, according to show organizers. The Expo will provide attendees with innovative and timely solutions for their home furnishings business including manufacturing equipment and… more
May 03, 2016
This year, in the sunny city of Orlando, E2MA’s annual meeting, the Red Diamond Congress, came together with several other conferences (Engagement University, the Loyalty Academy and Rewards & Recognition Expo) under the umbrella of Engagement World. The conference took place April 25-28, 2016, with over 350 attendees gathered under this new platform. “ We wanted to bring together areas that affect enterprise-wide engagement, and see how we can share education and networking,” said Jim Wurm, executive director, Exhibit and Event Marketers Association.  “This was our inaugural… more
May 03, 2016
For the first time in the event’s history, the Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum has sold out several weeks before it is set to run June 1 in Washington, D.C. “ECEF has a waiting list for the first time in 15 years,” said Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects, producer of ECEF. “In recent years, ECEF has consistently sold out, but not anywhere as early as this year,” he added. “I talk to industry executives every day, and my impression is they are more aggressively reaching out for new business opportunities. And that includes attending ECEF for presentations by the… more
May 03, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson After several years working with other host cities, TRANSACT, powered by the Electronic Transaction Association (ETA), returned to Las Vegas for the first of four annual events. TRANSACT 16 drew the highest number of participants for the show in Las Vegas to date. The show, held April 19-21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, had 65 new exhibitors on the floor and more than 700 first-time attendees. It also had a record number of countries represented at the show. TRANSACT 16 represents the world of payments technology; an industry that is growing and evolving on a… more
May 01, 2016
What if you had a tool that helped attendees navigate the show floor so they can find exhibitors more easily; one that helped attendees connect with each other in more meaningful ways; and one that improves feedback on things such as session surveys? Sound good? Using technology, it doesn’t have to be a ‘what-if’. Beacons - pieces of hardware that use battery-friendly, low-energy Bluetooth signals to transmit messages to a smartphone or tablet - are revolutionizing attendee experiences. Several show organizers have deployed beacons at their events and are measuring the… more
May 01, 2016
What are Twitter Trends? A trend on Twitter refers to a keyword or a phrase - usually hashtag driven - that is currently popular for a given user’s demographic. According to Twitter, “Trends are determined by an algorithm and, by default, are tailored for you based on who you follow and your location.” Trends enable Twitter to provide presumably ‘meaningful’ and ‘relevant’ content to its users. If you have a nascent event, you may be wondering if there’s any way you can leverage these to put your brand in front of an as yet… more
May 01, 2016
What are Twitter Trends? A trend on Twitter refers to a keyword or a phrase - usually hashtag driven - that is currently popular for a given user’s demographic. According to Twitter, “Trends are determined by an algorithm and, by default, are tailored for you based on who you follow and your location.” Trends enable Twitter to provide presumably ‘meaningful’ and ‘relevant’ content to its users. If you have a nascent event, you may be wondering if there’s any way you can leverage these to put your brand in front of an as yet… more
May 01, 2016
What if you had a tool that helped attendees navigate the show floor so they can find exhibitors more easily; one that helped attendees connect with each other in more meaningful ways; and one that improves feedback on things such as session surveys? Sound good? Using technology, it doesn’t have to be a ‘what-if’. Beacons - pieces of hardware that use battery-friendly, low-energy Bluetooth signals to transmit messages to a smartphone or tablet - are revolutionizing attendee experiences. Several show organizers have deployed beacons at their events and are measuring the… more
Apr 28, 2016
Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Picks Tom Norton for HCEAConnect Keynote The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) has unveiled its keynote speaker for the opening session of HCEAConnect, the association’s annual educational and networking event, Aug. 14-17 in Savannah, Ga.  Tom Norton, Principal at NHD Smart Communications of Illinois, Inc. will speak on “What Impact Will the November Elections Have on the American Healthcare Industry?” Norton is an experienced healthcare executive specializing in public affairs/public policy communications. In his extensive… more
Apr 28, 2016
After more than 40 years as an event for association professionals and industry suppliers, the ASAE Springtime Expo will no longer be held, replaced instead with what is being called the Xperience Design Project The Xperience Design Project is a two-day, business-focused experience for associations and industry partners at which participants will co-create solutions to shared challenges, as well as build meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. There won’t be a traditional showfloor, with attendees and industry suppliers having the opportunity to meet one-on-one in a Business Exchange… 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