News

Apr 15, 2014
SMG snagged yet another venue management contract, Convention Data Services expanded into Mexico and caught the eye of a major new trade show launching next year and Hargrove continued to win new business this year. Venue Management Company SMG scored another contract for its ever-expanding portfolio with the Branson (Mo.) Convention Center. SMG was selected over two other firms in a recent request for proposals by the City of Branson.  SMG also named Marc Mulherin as the center’s new general manager. “We are pleased to welcome the Branson Convention Center to our family of… more
Apr 14, 2014
More than 6,000 nonprofit and association professionals are expected to attend the 2014 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 9-12 at Nashville’s Music City Center. Attendees now can register  on the 2014 Annual Meeting & Exposition website, which includes information on all the speakers, more than 120 education sessions, registration, hotels, and events. Have you ever wondered how to use networking, collaboration, influence, negotiation, and leadership skills to improve individual and team performance? Opening General Speaker Adam Grant, author of “Give and Take: A… more
Apr 14, 2014
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events opened a call for nominations for its annual awards program to recognize exceptional professionals in the exhibitions and events industry. Each year, industry professionals who meet the outlined criteria can be nominated for any of the awards listed at www.iaee.com/awards. Nominations must be submitted to IAEE by June 13. "One of the best perks in working in this industry is the number of motivated, passionate professionals involved," said 2014 IAEE Awards Committee Chair David Audrain. He added, "You see this in… more
Apr 13, 2014
Turning a major spotlight onto the value of meetings, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events will launch of the first-ever Exhibitions Day. The two-day event will be an industry-wide effort to educate federal legislators, helping them to understand the impact of regulatory decisions on the exhibitions and events industry, according to IAEE officials.   On tap June 16-17, Exhibitions Day will be in Washington, D.C. and was developed in collaboration with multiple industry organizations who have come together to develop and support this critical initiative to ensure… more
Apr 13, 2014
From the Cloud to net neutrality and the coolest cameras and software, the future of broadcasting and digital media was the focus of the National Association of Broadcasters’ NAB Show 2014 that took place April 5-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Not only the products and discussions were impressive here, but also the show featured the largest floor in more than a decade. It was up 7 percent from the previous year, spanning 945,000 net square feet and showcasing 1,746 exhibiting companies. Attendance was at 98,015, an uptick of more than 4 percent from 2013. "NAB Show… more
Apr 12, 2014
After the winter many of us have had to endure this year, we wholeheartedly welcome warmer weather and outside activities. How do event marketers fight this additional distraction of “Spring Fever”?  More time enjoying the sun could mean less time in front of the screen, which means less time for reading your emails, blog posts, social media posts and Website. Therefore, your message, presentation and timing have to be well thought out and well executed.  Based on Hub Spots Marketing Statistics, Saturdays offer the best click through email rates and 6AM is the highest… more
Apr 12, 2014
After the winter many of us have had to endure this year, we wholeheartedly welcome warmer weather and outside activities. How do event marketers fight this additional distraction of “Spring Fever”?  More time enjoying the sun could mean less time in front of the screen, which means less time for reading your emails, blog posts, social media posts and Website. Therefore, your message, presentation and timing have to be well thought out and well executed.  Based on Hub Spots Marketing Statistics, Saturdays offer the best click through email rates and 6AM is the highest… more
Apr 11, 2014
Show organizers and exhibitors always are looking for ways to connect and engage with show attendees. Moreover, show attendees love to win prizes. Scratchd, Inc. out of London, Ontario, has come up with a solution that satisfies everyone. Scratchd is a digital scratch and win game. They will soon be releasing a spin and win game, as well as a digital peel and win game. The Scratchd concept focuses on three aspects of customer engagement; acquire, reward, and connect. First, by offering a chance to win a prize, you are able to “acquire” relevant customer data. Data such as… more
Apr 11, 2014
Show organizers and exhibitors always are looking for ways to connect and engage with show attendees. Moreover, show attendees love to win prizes. Scratchd, Inc. out of London, Ontario, has come up with a solution that satisfies everyone. Scratchd is a digital scratch and win game. They will soon be releasing a spin and win game, as well as a digital peel and win game. The Scratchd concept focuses on three aspects of customer engagement; acquire, reward, and connect. First, by offering a chance to win a prize, you are able to “acquire” relevant customer data. Data such as… more
Apr 10, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – “How to Leverage Content Marketing To Grow Your Event”, April 17 at 1 p.m. EST. Sign up HERE. The one-hour discussion will be moderated by Traci Brown, owner of the Trade Show Institute. Guest Panelists will include Joe Pulizzi of Content Marketing Institute, Chris Dolnack of the SHOT Show and NSSF.org and Monica Haley of AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology. The Content Marketing Institute defines Content Marketing as a marketing technique of creating and… 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