Aug 25, 2014
Recent labor changes at the Pennsylvania Convention Center already are paying off, with the Philadelphia-based American Association for Cancer Research selecting its hometown for its 2015, 2019 and 2024 Annual Meetings. The AACR Annual Meeting will take place April 18–22, 2015, at the SMG-managed center and will be the largest meeting held in the city next year.      “Philadelphia was a natural choice for our 2015 Annual Meeting,” said the AACR’s CEO Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc). “The city is not only our hometown, but it is also an epicenter for groundbreaking cancer… more
Aug 25, 2014
Developers of medical apps will have the opportunity to present their creations live at the App Competition during MEDICA 2014, World Forum for Medicine, to be held Nov. 12-15 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. MEDICA is billed as the leading international trade fair for the medical sector that attracts more than 4,600 exhibitors and 132,000 visitors from around the globe every year.  A MEDICA expert team will pre-select these app submissions for use in the daily routine of a physician or in the hospital, with 10 developers participating in the competition. The final… more
Aug 25, 2014
The District of Columbia Dental Society (DCDS) selected SmithBucklin to provide full-service association management. Founded in 1866, DCDS is the professional dental association of the nation's capital, representing more than 600 dentists, oral surgeons and dental professionals. DCDS promotes the growth of the dental profession through educational programming, advocacy for its members and raising the oral health literacy of the D.C. community. The society is a chapter of the American Dental Association. Doug Fesler, who works for SmithBucklin in the Healthcare + Scientific Industry Practice,… more
Aug 25, 2014
MEDICAL WORLD AMERICAS (MWA) will pair up with two collocation partners for the upcoming 2015 conference and expo April 27-29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The American College of Healthcare Executives Southeast Texas Chapter (ACHE-SETC) will hold its annual educational meeting at MWA and will integrate into the overall conference programming by offering valuable CEU’s to attendees.  Vendome Group’s Healthcare Design Academy also will collaborate with MWA and offering business intersections between attendees through this collocation. “We are thrilled that… more
Aug 24, 2014
Nine years and several court rulings later and UnitedNational Maintenance, a Chicago-based trade show cleaning company, recently was stymied when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied rehearing the company’s antitrust case brought against the San Diego Convention Center Corp., which oversees the city’s center. Carol Wallace, president and CEO of SDCCC, said of the ruling, “This is a win for San Diego, but more importantly, a landmark win for the facility management industry, as it will allow venues to operate and manage their buildings as they see fit.” Richard Simon, president and CEO… more
Aug 22, 2014
There really wasn’t a slowdown in hiring this summer; in fact, August saw plenty of new hires for suppliers and trade show organizers. Cygnus Business Media appointed Brian Cassell as group show manager for Firehouse events. Brian will be responsible for the overall performance of Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md, and Firehouse World, in San Diego. Cassell is a 20-year fire service veteran, serving on the marketing team for fire apparatus manufacturer KME for 10 years and as a volunteer firefighter with the Tamaqua, Penn., Fire Department. In addition to his experience both as a manufacturer… more
Aug 21, 2014
Last year was a successful one for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in its first time as part of Design & Construction Week, held in January in Las Vegas and anchored by the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show. Momentum has continued to build, and this year is tracking to be even stronger, with a 25-percent uptick so far in exhibitors for the show on tap Jan. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. According to show producers, Emerald Expositions, and show owners, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, 500 exhibitors already have signed on, and… more
Aug 19, 2014
Every workplace right now likely is experiencing a similar situation; there are not only one or two different generations working together, but there could be up to four, all trying to relate to each other in an effective manner. Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomers, only missing a Millennial, recently were part of a panel discussion at the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Leadership Conference, held Aug. 11-13 in Atlantic City. Led by Ali Hall, founding partner and manager of Versa Ventures, the panel discussed several different aspects of their views on the workplace. Not… more
Aug 19, 2014
Association Forum of Chicagoland's Board of Directors has selected Michelle Mason, CAE, FASAE, as the organization's new President and CEO. Mason will assume responsibilities Sept. 15, succeeding Christie A. Tarantino, FASAE, CAE, who stepped down in March to join the Institute of Food Technologists. Mason has been the managing director, Strategic Developments and Innovation, at the American Society for Quality, a global community of people dedicated to quality who share ideas, tools and best practices, since 2006. ASQ has an annual budget of $42M, which includes two subsidiaries, two… more
Aug 18, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – “Sustainable Trade Shows: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good”. The webinar will be held Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. EST and you can register HERE. Trade shows are often seen as one of the highest producers of waste and carbon in the event world. They are also known for heavy energy consumption of electricity, water and fuel for transportation. Today, trade show organizers and exhibitors can risk their corporate image if their audience perceives them as not being good stewards of the planet. Trade shows are… 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