Speaker, Session Line Up Unveiled for 3rd Annual CEIR Predict Conference
July 30, 2013
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research unveiled the speaker and session line up geared toward C-level executives in the trade show industry for its 3rd annual CEIR Predict: Inspiring Confidence in an unPREDICTable Time conference.
The event will be held Sept. 12 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and typically draws more than 125 C-level trade show industry leaders, M&A representatives, financiers, economists and sponsor suppliers.
"This year's Predict will continue in the collaborative spirit for which it is known, and we have designed a program to address the hard questions so attendees' expectations will be exceeded and they will leave with a sense of the economic outlook for their own events,” said Bob Priest-Heck, chair of the 2013 CEIR Predict Task Force and COO of Freeman.
He added, “The line-up of speakers and moderators is extraordinary this year, and will keep attendees engaged and not only at Predict but for the foreseeable future."
New this year, mayors from four large cities will discuss the economic impact of the trade show industry. The speakers include Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City of Baltimore, Md., Mayor Michael S. Rawlings, City of Dallas, Texas, Mayor Annise D. Parker, City of Houston, Texas, and Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orange County, Fla.
Topics that will be addressed by the mayors include what the future may hold for their cities and the long-term impact that trade shows are having on their facilities, labor unions, local businesses and more.
Also new this year, Bain & Company Senior Economist/Macro Trends Group Austin Kim will provide an outlook on the global and regional macro economies and which indicators are important to watch.
He will discuss future projections during the session, “Global Economic Outlook and Impact on the Exhibition Industry”, and provide insight about the current impact of improving consumer confidence and spending in regard to home sales, construction and automobile sales, to name a few.
During the event, the CEIR Index, which tracks the health of the trade show industry, also will be discussed. The latest index released indicated that while the industry is still growing, it is starting to lag behind GDP.
Other sessions throughout the day include “Collaborative Crowdsourcing and its Impact on the Exhibition Industry”, as well as sessions focused on specific industries such as Building, Construction, Home & Repair/Raw Materials, Communications and Information Technology/Healthcare and Manufacturing/Consumer Goods, among others.
For a full schedule visit www.ceir.org/predict.
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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