News

Apr 27, 2013
The first quarter of 2013 started out on a positive note for Global Experience Specialist’s parent company Viad, with revenues seeing an increase from $268.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $285.2 million this year. The Marketing & Events Group, of which GES is a part of, also saw revenue increases in the first quarter this year, with $276.8 million, compared with $262 million in the same quarter last year. Steve Moster, GES’ president, said the uptick came from not only positive show rotation, but also higher than forecasted same-show growth and cost-cutting… more
Apr 24, 2013
One of the many highlights planned for the 4th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence, on tap Nov. 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, includes the only time this year both the chairs of the Society of Independent Show Organizers and International Association of Exhibitions and Events will be on the same stage at the same time speaking on a “State of the Industry” panel during the event’s Saturday Executive Conference. "The industry is growing again and there are a lot of opportunities for positive changes in the way we develop and grow our shows, so I am excited to be speaking at the… more
Apr 24, 2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held March 3-7 in New Orleans, show organizers used several high-tech tools that allowed their onsite space draw to not only book more space, but also be a more efficient process. Using iPads for the first time at the front door as people checked in was just one way things went much smoother this year, according to Elli Riley, HIMSS director of exhibits and meeting services. Once exhibitors were in the room, they were directed to a table where, based on a point system, they were able to… more
Apr 24, 2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held March 3-7 in New Orleans, show organizers used several high-tech tools that allowed their onsite space draw to not only book more space, but also be a more efficient process. Using iPads for the first time at the front door as people checked in was just one way things went much smoother this year, according to Elli Riley, HIMSS director of exhibits and meeting services. Once exhibitors were in the room, they were directed to a table where, based on a point system, they were able to… more
Apr 23, 2013
ASD Las Vegas is about to get a little bit bigger, with the debut of a new event – SourceDirect – Aug. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. SourceDirect will be geared toward Importers, Distributors, Wholesalers, Designers, and Production Professionals, who will be able to meet face-to-face with contract manufacturers and factories from around the world. “By aligning supply chain leaders in front of the key decision makers to [ASD] a show they already attend, business opportunities are made that weren’t possible before now,” said Chris McCabe,… more
Apr 23, 2013
Trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) this April attracted more than 10,000 exhibitors. The HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) welcomed more than 1,000 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions from 6th to 9th April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). In its fifth edition this year, there were first-time exhibitors from Finland, Greece, India, Macau and the U.S. The fair also highlighted three new zones: the Hall of Display World, the World of Chandeliers and the Small-Order Zone. The four-day trade fair… more
Apr 23, 2013
NASDAQ-listed Global Sources opened its spring China Sourcing Fair on 12th April, featuring more than 3,900 booths for electronics, components and security products. The co-located events, China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics & Components, Security Products and Korea Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components, ran until 15th April at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Some of the major pre-registered buyers at the events included Auchan, Best Buy, CHUBB, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, Schneider, Sharp-Roxy and Whirlpool. Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Exhibitions,… more
Apr 23, 2013
Reportedly Asia’s largest trade fair, the spring edition of the biennial China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), opened earlier this week amid unfavourable market conditions of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, avian flu and rising costs. According to the latest statistics, China’s year-on-year export growth in March this year slowed to 10%, compared with growth of 21.8% recorded in February. The country’s year-on-year first quarter GDP growth also slowed to 7.7%, down from the 7.9% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012. As a result of rising labour costs and… more
Apr 22, 2013
For the very first time, the Human Genome Meeting will be held at a U.S. Destination – Houston – in 2016 through joint efforts by the Texas Medical Center and Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau worked hand-in-hand with Texas Medical Center to secure this high profile medical conference,” said GHCVB President and CEO Greg Ortale. He added, “The Texas Medical Center is certainly unique with its concentration of medical, research, and educational institutions. Houston is the obvious location for… more
Apr 22, 2013
Sydney Showground officials took the opportunity at the recent Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia 2013 Leaders Forum to announce they were adding 8,000 square meters of exhibition space onto their facility, with a total footprint of 11,000 sq. m. added. With the additions, the new space will be 30,000 sq. m., making it the largest in Sydney. Peter Thorpe, Sydney Showground’s general manager, said the EEAA Leaders Forum provided the perfect platform to announce their plans.   “With more than  50 industry leaders present, all engaged in two days of… 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