Tech News

Jun 01, 2014
“People look at your brand’s voice as a true representation of its heart and soul.” - Lori Randall Stradtman, Online Reputation Management for Dummies (www.social-media-design.com) Brands with positive reputations attract more customers, have longevity and deliver higher than normal ROI to organizations. Many brand management teams pay a lot of attention to their customers’ feedback in direct interactions, but most neglect to proactively manage their brand’s online reputation. When a crisis erupts all of a sudden, such teams are caught off guard, and then it… more
Jun 01, 2014
Exhibitors constantly are trying to find the next big thing that will make show attendees, who’ve seen it all before, stop in their tracks and take notice of the exhibitor’s booth. A new display unit by Pufferfish out of the United Kingdom just may be that next big thing. Pufferfish, the maker of PufferSphere spherical display systems, has a new smaller display called the PufferSphere M. This new sphere is powerful enough to stand out in a bright environment, such as a trade show floor. Nichole Potts, sales manager at Freeman said, “Projection mapping is all the rage now,… more
May 25, 2014
With so many event apps on the market today, how is an event organizer to choose which one is right for their event? Just about every app will offer what are now considered the basics. Those being a schedule, exhibitor list, show information, social media connectivity and some type of networking tool. To stand out, app providers are constantly upping their game with add-ons. Some of the new tools being offered are enhancements to the attendee experience, such as gamification. Other providers are offering tools that benefit the organizer and exhibitors. An example of a tool within an app that… more
May 25, 2014
With so many event apps on the market today, how is an event organizer to choose which one is right for their event? Just about every app will offer what are now considered the basics. Those being a schedule, exhibitor list, show information, social media connectivity and some type of networking tool. To stand out, app providers are constantly upping their game with add-ons. Some of the new tools being offered are enhancements to the attendee experience, such as gamification. Other providers are offering tools that benefit the organizer and exhibitors. An example of a tool within an app that… more
May 17, 2014
Meeting planners who will be heading to Orlando in June for Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition will have the chance to take advantage of the event’s Innovation Zone. The zone, managed by The Meeting Pool, will be a place for attendees to learn about and gain experience about the latest technologies impacting the industry. “The Innovation Zone is a popular draw for AIBTM and a perfect illustration of our commitment to provide members with the tools and education necessary to advance their careers,” said Michael Lyons,… more
May 17, 2014
Shifting from one technology platform to another can be a painful experience for some organizations. There are, however, ways to reduce the disruption for staff and customers. When the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) had no choice but to transition from an in-house software solution to a third-party platform for exhibits contracts and financial management, staffers planned ahead for the transition. AAOS’ Exhibits Assistant, Jason Raymond offers some tips on how to reduce the pain of change: Involve multiple departments in the decision-making process. From the beginning,… more
May 17, 2014
Shifting from one technology platform to another can be a painful experience for some organizations. There are, however, ways to reduce the disruption for staff and customers. When the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) had no choice but to transition from an in-house software solution to a third-party platform for exhibits contracts and financial management, staffers planned ahead for the transition. AAOS’ Exhibits Assistant, Jason Raymond offers some tips on how to reduce the pain of change: Involve multiple departments in the decision-making process. From the beginning,… more
May 17, 2014
Meeting planners who will be heading to Orlando in June for Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition will have the chance to take advantage of the event’s Innovation Zone. The zone, managed by The Meeting Pool, will be a place for attendees to learn about and gain experience about the latest technologies impacting the industry. “The Innovation Zone is a popular draw for AIBTM and a perfect illustration of our commitment to provide members with the tools and education necessary to advance their careers,” said Michael Lyons,… more
May 11, 2014
Besides giving its Web site a major facelift recently, Twitter also has announced a number of photo-related enhancements, which clearly are aimed at strengthening its user base and ensuring that it can better compete with Facebook and Instagram, the two most popular visual social media services out there. Here is a quick summary of the new features: Post multiple photos On iPhone or Android, use the updated native app to post multiple pics in a single tweet. Tag people You can now tag up to 10 of your followers in a photo to bring them into the conversation. This would also be a… more
May 11, 2014
There has been a lot of talk in the events industry lately about NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth® beacons. There are those who are in the NFC camp and others who are in the beacon camp. The fact is, both have a role in trade shows, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these technologies does. NFC is a set of standards for “devices” to establish radio communication with each other by either touching them together or bringing them into close proximity. That is the “near” part of near field… 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