News
May 11, 2022
Seattle’s main meetings and trade show venue recently unveiled a new name and brand identity. Following more than three decades as the Washington State Convention Center, the leading Pacific Northwest events facility changed its name and logo to the Seattle Convention Center (SCC).
According to officials from SCC parent organization Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District (the District), the rebranding better aligns the venue with its hometown while solidifying the organization’s commitment to maintaining a fiscally responsible, self-sustaining operation that… more
May 10, 2022
As the trade show and meetings industry continues its emergence from the pandemic, this year’s Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s (ECA) signature ECA Legislative Action Week couldn’t be a more important and urgent one for event professionals to consider attending.
Set for June 6-10, the week-long virtual event will converge face-to-face business events industry advocates to meet with their members of Congress about the vital role that exhibitions and conferences play in helping communities across the U.S. recover from the devastating economic and employment impacts of the COVID-19… more
May 09, 2022
Born and raised in the Hawaiian islands, Teri Orton’s passion for the hospitality industry started early. In fact, it’s part of her family legacy. Both her parents worked in hospitality, so she was born into and exposed to the industry as a small child, yet never felt the need to rebel against or stray from the family business as a young adult.
After majoring in communications at the University of Hawai‘i and advancing her training in hospitality management through various certifications with Starwood and Hilton Hotels, Orton stayed the course, spending more than 25 years holding an array… more
May 06, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California
This unique Los Angeles County beach town has sand, surf, and a lot of local color. No doubt, many consider Venice Beach to be the nerve center for Los Angeles’ quirky, out-there personality. Check out our tips below on how to explore Venice Beach in five unique ways.
Stay in the Heart of Venice
To stay at the center of Venice Beach culture, book a room at Hotel Erwin, a retro-meets-surf-style boutique hotel with plenty of ocean-view rooms, a rooftop lounge, and a lobby decorated with surfboards. Or stay at the historic Venice Beach Suites &… more
May 06, 2022
Innovative new technology is making it easier than ever to produce the most engaging and impactful events. Check out the latest round of impressive additions!
CLIPr
CLIPr, a video analysis and management (VAM) platform using AI and machine learning to make recorded videos searchable by transcription, topics and subtopics, debuted a new livestream feature that allows event professionals to engage and connect with audiences in new ways.
CLIPr partnered with cloud communications provider Vonage to produce the new feature for its shared customer, event technology platform Grip, which employs… more
May 05, 2022
In an effort to quantify the significant contribution made by the face-to-face business meetings and events sector to the global economy, the Events Industry Council (EIC) launched the data collection phase of its Economic Significance Study and revealed the results of its latest Global Business Events Barometer, showing positive signs for the industry’s recovery.
Conducted by Oxford Economics, the survey portion of the study is open through June 25 and applies to business meetings and events, including conventions, conferences, trade shows, exhibitions and incentives.
The ambitious… more
May 04, 2022
The future is beaming brighter for in-person professional meetings and events, with a recent Q1 2022 survey revealing that 84% of American business travelers expect to take at least one trip to attend conferences, conventions or trade shows in the next six months.
The survey, which had more than 2,500 respondents, also found that less than one in 10 business travelers are uncertain if they would travel in the next six months and that business travelers expect to resume traveling at a slightly slower pace compared to pre-pandemic levels, averaging about 1.6 trips per month (compared to 1.7… more
May 03, 2022
There is no doubt that when a trade show goes the extra mile to make a positive difference in its host community, the impacts can be incredibly meaningful. Case in point: the 9th annual Design & Construction Week (DCW), held at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 8-10, which generously donated $13,300 in leftover kitchen, bathroom, living room and outdoor items to an Orlando-area nonprofit with support from the venue’s sustainability coordinator.
As the largest in-person trade show to take place at the facility since the onset of the pandemic, the massive event consisted of two… more
May 02, 2022
Exclusively sponsored by Cadmium
Cadmium simplifies the production of events and maximizes the value of online learning with a single, flexible platform designed to capture the chemistry of people, ideas, and knowledge. More than 900 content-driven organizations worldwide count on Cadmium technology for every step of event planning, delivery, and distribution.
Let’s take a closer look at Cadmium’s award-winning event management software. For most, it all begins with EdgeReg—a powerful, flexible, and simple online registration solution. EdgeReg offers unprecedented modularity for simple and… more
May 02, 2022
As the trade show industry moves full speed ahead into a busier and more robust season, event-related companies and organizations across North America and beyond are busily forming new business partnerships, opening new offices and strengthening their market share via strategic acquisitions. Check them out!
AUVSI
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has partnered with Messe Düsseldorf North America Inc. (MDNA) to co-host XPONENTIAL, the world’s leading trade show for uncrewed systems and autonomy, to broaden its reach to user communities and new market entrants… 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