News
Jun 22, 2014
Audience response systems (ARS) have been around for a long time, but were often out of reach for many event planners. It often involved renting devices that would allow attendees to ask questions, respond to polls and fill out evaluations via those devices. Today, options are available that eliminate the need for special devices.
Several companies are providing ARS that are accessible via your attendees’ mobile devices. This can significantly reduce the cost to the event organizer.
Q&A Link offers event organizers a text based system. No WiFi or internet… more
Jun 20, 2014
Marketing automation refers to the ability to schedule messages to a specific audience based on time, interactions, or lack of interaction with other messages. When talking about marketing automation, most people think of email marketing and the ability to pre-schedule email messages to specific audiences based on interactions with previous emails, but there are other channels where marketing automation can be valuable. For example, using marketing automation in social media and mobile app marketing can increase your reach and engagement with these audiences.
Let’s first consider… more
Jun 20, 2014
Marketing automation refers to the ability to schedule messages to a specific audience based on time, interactions, or lack of interaction with other messages. When talking about marketing automation, most people think of email marketing and the ability to pre-schedule email messages to specific audiences based on interactions with previous emails, but there are other channels where marketing automation can be valuable. For example, using marketing automation in social media and mobile app marketing can increase your reach and engagement with these audiences.
Let’s first consider… more
Jun 18, 2014
Earlier this week, more than 100 trade show professionals, including suppliers, organizers and associations representing the industry, went to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress for the inaugural “Exhibitions Day”.
Topics at hand during the 100-plus meetings were the value of the overall trade show industry, as well as asking for support of the JOLT Act - Jobs Originated through Travel Act; allowing government employees to attend events; the impact of the Visa Waiver Program; the importance of the International Buyers Program; and support of the Travel Promotion Act.… more
Jun 17, 2014
After stepping down from the top post at the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau earlier this year, Jim Wood has been tapped to run newly formed Meet AC, a private non-profit sales organization with a sole focus on building the convention, meeting and group market for Atlantic City.
Wood will begin his new role June 30.
“The entire board was very impressed with Jim’s highly successful track record of accomplishments,” said Jeff Albrecht, Meet AC board chairperson and general manager, Sheraton, Atlantic City.
He added, “Everyone we spoke to about Jim reiterated… more
Jun 16, 2014
Tarsus Group, dmg events will launch the Big 5 Construct Indonesia exhibition to serve the burgeoning domestic and regional construction sector in the country in May 2015 at the Jakarta International Exhibition Centre.
dmg events are the organizers of the Big 5 series of events - the Middle East’s largest construction event in Dubai and events in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and India.
The new show will bring the international building and construction world together in a single location providing a valuable meeting place to source product, conduct business and build strategic partnerships,… more
Jun 16, 2014
Hanley Wood Exhibitions will partner with the Association of Professional Landscape Designers to collocate the APLD International Landscape Design Conference with the 2014 International Pool I Spa I Patio Expo in Orlando.
“This strategic partnership brings a great opportunity to both groups of show attendees,” said Tracy Garcia, CEM, director of the PSP Expo. “APLD brings a valuable perspective to the industry and we are pleased to have their event co-locating with us in 2014.”
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) is an international organization… more
Jun 16, 2014
The National Shooting Sports Foundation and Sands Expo and Convention Center have followed up the 2014 record-setting Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) by adding another two years to their agreement.
Under the new terms, the SHOT Show will be presented at the Sands Expo through 2020.
The 2014 SHOT Show, which ran Jan. 14-17, attracted more than 67,000 in total attendance, an all-time high, and was the fifth consecutive SHOT Show held at Sands Expo. In February, NSSF previously had announced that it was extending its stay at the venue through 2017.
“We’re pleased… more
Jun 16, 2014
It was a tough battle when labor reforms recently were pushed through at Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center, but one that has evidently paid off, with two shows signing on to the center in 2017 and 2018.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association chose Philadelphia as the host city for its 2018 Conference and Exposition (AIHce), which is considered the most important event of the year among occupational and environmental health and safety professionals.
More than 6,000 attendees are expected to attend AIHce, using 13,608 total hotel room nights to generate more than $16.2… more
Jun 15, 2014
In Houston, they decided that one entity was better than two for promoting the city as a go-to convention and tourism destination. The boards of Houston First Corporation and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau have agreed to align themselves structurally.
As part of the alignment, the GHCVB’s 90-person staff will become employees of HFC, with no plans to lay off staff from either organization, according to HFC officials.
In addition, the GHCVB’s board of directors and executive committee will remain intact and will recommend four candidates to Houston… 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