News

Apr 02, 2016
InformEx is the home of chemistry innovation. This dynamic event has been held for more than 30 years to build partnerships among buyers and sellers of fine and specialty chemicals. The three-day event fosters profitable partnerships and innovation in the high-value chemical industry. To support the valuable partnership development that is such a cornerstone of this event, the show organizers added a2z’s Connect™ to the event’s offerings this year. Connect is a cloud-based networking solution that facilitates matching exhibitors and attendees with like-minded… more
Apr 02, 2016
InformEx is the home of chemistry innovation. This dynamic event has been held for more than 30 years to build partnerships among buyers and sellers of fine and specialty chemicals. The three-day event fosters profitable partnerships and innovation in the high-value chemical industry. To support the valuable partnership development that is such a cornerstone of this event, the show organizers added a2z’s Connect™ to the event’s offerings this year. Connect is a cloud-based networking solution that facilitates matching exhibitors and attendees with like-minded… more
Apr 01, 2016
U.K.-based UBM has named Scott Schulman CEO of UBM Americas, and Simon Foster, who held the CEO position after Sally Shankland stepped down, will resume his position as CEO of UBM EMEA.  UBM Americas is one of the largest business-to-business trade show companies in the U.S. with a growing portfolio as well in Brazil and Mexico.  Schulman will focus on continuing the implementation of UBM’s ‘Events First’ strategy and the unification of the UBM Americas business, including the ongoing successful integration of the Advanstar business.  “I am delighted Scott is… more
Apr 01, 2016
Attendance size and quality is the essential element of any successful convention or exhibition. Rapid change due to technology is transforming the attendance marketing process.  To help event management improve their attendance marketing strategies and efforts, TSNN and the Event Marketing Institute are asking TSNN readers to participate in an industry study focused on attendance marketing benchmarks and best practices.  The individual responses will be studied in aggregate and are confidential. To thank you for participating, you will receive a complimentary summary… more
Apr 01, 2016
In the 1940s, department stores were the primary retailers of most every item for daily life, including stationery and writing instruments. Tessie Goldwater, a buyer for May’s Department Stores, regularly attended gift shows in New York and Chicago, but felt there was a need for a more specialized paper goods show. She approached Bill Little at George Little Management (now part of Emerald Expositions), urging that stationery, custom invitations, pens and related goods be given their own event. In 1945, the first New York Stationery Show was held in the New Yorker Hotel. While… more
Apr 01, 2016
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition has launched a new business leader video series to showcase authentic stories of how and why meetings matter across all professions. The inaugural three video vignettes reflect the widespread reach of meeting face-to-face, profiling a trade association, a not-for-profit, and a corporation. MMBC will continue to debut new videos throughout the year to highlight how meetings build trust, foster engagement and generate new business MMBC is bringing in outside voices to propel the campaign and help validate how meetings touch every industry. Those… more
Mar 31, 2016
The 2016 World of Asphalt Show & Conference and AGG1 Academy & Expo broke a trio of records – attendance, number of exhibitors and attendees taking part in the education – when its recent show wrapped up March 22-24 in Nashville, Tenn. Record registered attendance of more than 9,000 is 18 percent more than the record-setting 2015 shows and 38 percent growth, compared with 2013. Attendees came from all 50 states, nine of the 10 Canadian provinces and more than 60 other countries worldwide; 30 percent were company presidents/owners, vice presidents, general managers or chief financial… more
Mar 31, 2016
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) launched a Virtual Reality Companion app that helps transport trade show delegates and would-be visitors alike to popular attractions in the No. 1 city for top trade shows in the U.S. Now, taking a tour of the Grand Canyon, riding in a gondola at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino or taking a zipline through the downtown streets is possible from anywhere in the world. The LVCVA showcased virtual reality through Oculus Rift, a technology company that builds and distributes virtual reality head-mounted display units that allow users to have… more
Mar 30, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson ‘Branding’ is perhaps the most commonly used, but most commonly misunderstood, word in business. Reactions to brands, such as Coca-Cola or Apple, are immediate. An organization or product with a strong brand may compel people to instantly think of its logo, or tagline or jingle. A brand, by definition is all of those things and more - it’s everything we think about a particular organization or product. A strong event brand offers its audiences a promise on the value it will deliver. And then, it uses communications tools to deliver the message of that promise.  A… more
Mar 28, 2016
While the convention and meetings industry is able to breathe a sigh of relief today in Georgia, headaches abound in North Carolina, after both states recently dealt with legislation that was deemed discriminatory to the gay community by many.   Less than two weeks after the Georgia assembly voted through House Bill 757 – the Free Exercise Protection Act, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the bill.   The bill would have allowed churches to refuse to perform gay marriages and not hire people they felt conflicted with their religious beliefs, which prompted big-name companies, such as… 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