Emerald Unveils Xcelerator Division to Drive Growth Via Innovative New Brand Experiences

June 3, 2022

Leading event and media company Emerald formed a new division designed to accelerate its market diversification strategy by launching dynamic brands that curate year-round communities through face-to-face and digital experiences.

Emerald Xcelerator will build upon the company's broader capabilities across a diverse portfolio of brands and services, including more than 150 events, media, content, market intelligence, lead generation and digital transactional solutions, according to Hervé Sedky, president and CEO of Emerald.

“[With Emerald Xcelerator], we will harness the power of discovery, innovation and actionable insights to help us pioneer into new and emerging markets while driving transformational growth within our industries,” Sedky said. "The formation of Xcelerator not only serves as our opportunity to uncover new ways to create value and advancement for our customers but underscores Emerald's commitment to supporting the industries we serve and the communities in which we operate." 

In March 2022, Emerald launched SIAL America, the first-of-its-kind cross-category food and beverage show in the U.S., as part of the Xcelerator division. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event hosted domestic and international exhibitors and more than 4,600 industry professionals from the U.S. and 60 international countries.

Additionally, Xcelerator plans to bring to market new brands in the mental health, Web3 and breakthrough medicine industries in 2022 and is actively developing additional launches for 2023 and beyond.

The new division aims to build both B2B and B2C brands in emerging industries, focusing on developing deep connections, delivering meaningful content and driving commerce 365 days a year, according to Issa Jouaneh, executive vice president of Emerald Xcelerator and 15-plus-year industry leader who previously led American Express Meeting & Events as senior vice president and general manager.

"Ultimately, our goal is to drive growth by creating dynamic brands that represent the emerging communities and industries around us," Jouaneh said. "We're very proud of the pipeline of opportunities our team has curated and look forward to announcing details about [new] brand launches in the coming months." 

Xcelerator will also serve the wider business and events communities by contributing research and analysis resources to develop industry insights, such as Emerald's recent B2B Events Industry Outlook 2022 Report

Photo: Issa Jouaneh, executive vice president of Emerald Xcelerator

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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