News

Jan 19, 2014
The 37th SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, Trade) Show, owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, saw a 6-percent jump in attendance this year, coming in at 67,000 attendees. A gathering place for shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries, the event took place Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas. “The show has been a homerun on all accounts,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “In about six and a half months, our partners and we were able to deliver a show that in the eyes… more
Jan 19, 2014
It was inevitable that the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses™ (WOCN®) Society would implement a mobile app for its annual conference. The rationale around using mobile apps was becoming clearer and mobile platforms were developing into efficient ways to deliver on conference objectives. Nevertheless, conference attendees weren’t exactly in love with technology and planners had to devise ways to help them let go of the traditional ways to navigate, network and learn during the event. Aside from the fact that nearly everyone who attends the WOCN conference brings a mobile… more
Jan 19, 2014
Technology moved from the periphery of last year’s Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders and became a featured topic at this year’s event held last week in Boston. Not only was there an education track specifically for technology, but also it was given its own stage in what was known as TechCentral. TechCentral was a hub of activity throughout the conference. Attendees kept technology vendors busy with hands on demos of some of the newest technology available for planners, as well as some old standbys. Attendee and panelist, Allison Green,… more
Jan 19, 2014
Technology moved from the periphery of last year’s Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders and became a featured topic at this year’s event held last week in Boston. Not only was there an education track specifically for technology, but also it was given its own stage in what was known as TechCentral. TechCentral was a hub of activity throughout the conference. Attendees kept technology vendors busy with hands on demos of some of the newest technology available for planners, as well as some old standbys. Attendee and panelist, Allison Green,… more
Jan 19, 2014
It was inevitable that the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses™ (WOCN®) Society would implement a mobile app for its annual conference. The rationale around using mobile apps was becoming clearer and mobile platforms were developing into efficient ways to deliver on conference objectives. Nevertheless, conference attendees weren’t exactly in love with technology and planners had to devise ways to help them let go of the traditional ways to navigate, network and learn during the event. Aside from the fact that nearly everyone who attends the WOCN conference brings a mobile… more
Jan 18, 2014
Glittering gowns, tuxes galore, flutes of champagne and massive exhibits filled with the latest cars were just a few of the many highlights at this year’s North American International Auto Show’s Charity Preview Jan. 17 at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The event not only drew 13,791 attendees to a showfloor packed with the newest models from U.S. and overseas automobile manufacturers, but also $4.8 million was raised for nine area children’s charities. The 2014 Charity Preview results represent nearly a $1 million increase in funds raised, compared with 2013, and the… more
Jan 15, 2014
The long-awaited plan to renovate and expand the Global Spectrum-managed Miami Beach Convention Center, as well as add a headquarter hotel and surrounding development project, was scrapped by a new mayor in the city and mostly new board of Miami Beach commissioners. A previous board had embraced the project and hired developer South Beach ACE, led by Tishman Hotel and Realty and Miami Beach developer Robert Wennett.   The project was meant to include upgrades and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center, an 800-room anchor hotel and shops, restaurants and other new development… more
Jan 14, 2014
From Jan. 12-15, several thousand attendees flocked to the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders 2014 annual meeting in Boston, making it the highest attended event in the organization’s history. While PCMA President and CEO Deborah Sexton declined to reveal the actual number of attendees at a press conference held during the event, she did say that this year broke the two previous years’ records held by Orlando and San Diego, which both had 3,751 attendees. Final attendance numbers will be released after the event, once all the registrations… more
Jan 14, 2014
The 2014 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, scheduled Feb. 4-7 in Nashville, Tenn., is shaping up to be its largest one yet. The NCBA Trade Show – for years, the beef cattle industry’s largest – is getting bigger, adding more than 30 exhibitors several thousand square feet of exhibit space. In 2014, there will be more than 300 exhibitors on 247,000 square feet that cover 5.7 acres. These exhibitors will feature everything from animal health products and ranch equipment to real estate, seed products, software, and western art.  “The NCBA Trade Show… more
Jan 13, 2014
It was a standing-room only at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center for a press conference during the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders that was attended by several meetings and events industry leaders to announce the launch of “Meetings Mean Business” designed to emphasize the value of face-to-face. The campaign’s focus is to create an advocacy and information platform that highlights the industry’s pivotal role in creating jobs, generating economic value and driving business success. The effort to come together as a united front as an industry to rally behind… 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