Aviation Week's MRO Americas 2012 Conference Reopens at Dallas CC After Tornados Sweep Through Region
April 3, 2012
Aviation Week’s MRO Americas 2012 Conference has resumed one day after more than a dozen tornadoes struck the Dallas/Fort Worth region and disrupted the event's showfloor that was set to open for 5,000 attendees at the Dallas Convention Center
"I was impressed with the professionalism and the communication from the staff at the DCC," said Lydia F. Janow from the MRO Americas 2012 Conference.
She added, "The evacuation went smoothly, and staff was with me through the duration of the storms keeping me abreast of updates."
Center security ushered all of the attendees to safety, according to Dallas CVB officials.
Miraculously, though the tornados caused widespread damage in the region, there were no reported fatalities.
“Thanks to ample warning from the National Weather Service, local media and city officials, the tornados caused few injuries and no deaths,” Dallas CVB officials said.
They added, “Throughout the central business district on Tuesday, citizens were evacuated to stairwells and basements to wait out the storms.”
The Dallas CVB and Dallas CC both resumed business as usual April 4, and the MRO Americas 20120 Conference, on tap April 3-5, reopened its showfloor.
“Rare for this part of the state, the violent storms caused damage in various parts of the area but caused no damage to the DCC, Dallas office buildings, hotels or special event venues,” Dallas CVB officials said.
Ron King, executive director for the DCC said, "The City of Dallas has an excellent emergency communications system. We have direct contact with the city's Office of Emergency Management which is critical in providing clients real time information so they know what to communicate to their stakeholders."
D/FW International Airport also resumed full operations after a day of cancelled flights and is working on inspecting aircraft.
"Our thoughts are with those who lost property or were injured in the storms," said Phillip Jones, CEO of the DCVB. "As we proceed with business as usual today, we will work to improve an already excellent emergency response system in the future."
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
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