New Company, Blue Sky Events, Will Launch 5-city Parenting Expo
October 22, 2013
Based in Akron, Ohio, and led by a team of veteran trade show, sales and marketing executives, a new business-to-consumer and business-to-business event company – Blue Sky Events – has unveiled its first venture – Parenting Expo – which will launch in five Midwest cities in 2014.
“Our team has a long and successful track record in understanding, targeting, and connecting buyers and sellers,” said Bob Simmons, CEO and president of Blue Sky Events.
He added, “We are committed to bringing original content to all our events and creating an environment of connecting people with common interests. We are excited and passionate to present our first series, Parenting Expo.”
Parenting Expo will debut in March in Pittsburg at the Monroeville (Pa.) Convention Center and will focus on the needs of parents.
The series of events will have professional speakers, exhibitors and networking opportunities so parents have an opportunity to find information they need to know – from prenatal care to raising teens.
The events will partner with physicians and children’s hospitals to give the event even more depth of knowledge.
Besides Pittsburgh, the event also will go to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
The team behind the launch of Blue Sky Events has a combined more than 150 years of experience in the trade show, sales and marketing fields.
Simmons has more than 35 years of publishing and sales experience, launching Plastic News and Waste & Recycling News, as well as several shows and conferences such as the International Tire Exhibition & Conference, International Latex Conference and the International Silicon Conference, to name a few.
Other team members include Director of Sales Chris Harris, with 25 years of B-to-B publishing and sales experience; Director of Operations Jeff Mundson, with 24 years of marketing and operations management experience for national and international B-to-B events; and Director of Marketing Gary Vernon, with 21 years as creative director of communications agency, among other highly qualified employees.
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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