News

Mar 17, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives’ Great Ideas Conference, held March 8-10 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, scored its highest attendance ever, with 806 coming to the meeting. This represents the highest attendance in its 12 year history and 15-percent increase from last year’s record-breaking numbers. During the Opening General Session, Alan Gregerman, author, president and Chief Innovation Officer of Venture Works Inc., walked attendees through how they can discover the power of strangers and the importance of being open to new possibilities because it can be the… more
Mar 16, 2015
Veteran journalist and author Tom Brokaw will deliver a keynote address at the 2015 BIO International Convention June 15-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The BIO International Convention draws more than15,000 leaders from the biopharmaceutical industry.  “With his decades of distinguished work on the frontlines of television journalism, we are thrilled Tom Brokaw will be joining us for the 2015 BIO International Convention,” said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. He added,“His storied career has seen him headline such distinguished programs as the… more
Mar 16, 2015
At the ongoing South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive, as expected, one of the biggest buzz is about the emerging world of Internet of Things (IoT) for Consumers.  In a number of conference sessions I attended during the first two days at the event, leaders from the technology space shared both their enthusiasm as well as concerns about the impact of IoT on our long term future. Connected smart devices that automatically share information with each other and collect data about the users' activities are set to become ubiquitous. While it is anticipated that these new technologies will… more
Mar 16, 2015
At the ongoing South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive, as expected, one of the biggest buzz is about the emerging world of Internet of Things (IoT) for Consumers.  In a number of conference sessions I attended during the first two days at the event, leaders from the technology space shared both their enthusiasm as well as concerns about the impact of IoT on our long term future. Connected smart devices that automatically share information with each other and collect data about the users' activities are set to become ubiquitous. While it is anticipated that these new technologies will… more
Mar 15, 2015
The InnovationLAB platform by Amsterdam RAI and its external partners TNO, 3TU Federatie and Accenture Innovation Awards recently was officially launched. The lab is an environment designed to enable exhibitors and visitors to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of innovation. In addition, it gives knowledge centres, research institutes, innovation partners and the like a platform to market their innovations, further enriching Amsterdam RAI’s exhibitions. “The InnovationLAB is a platform where visitors can see and experience the innovations in their market,… more
Mar 15, 2015
The InnovationLAB platform by Amsterdam RAI and its external partners TNO, 3TU Federatie and Accenture Innovation Awards recently was officially launched. The lab is an environment designed to enable exhibitors and visitors to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of innovation. In addition, it gives knowledge centres, research institutes, innovation partners and the like a platform to market their innovations, further enriching Amsterdam RAI’s exhibitions. “The InnovationLAB is a platform where visitors can see and experience the innovations in their market,… more
Mar 12, 2015
In a series of special reports, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research recently released its latest one - “The Marketing Spend Decision”. This study profiled marketing channel spending of business-to-business exhibitors from small to large-sized organizations, across all exhibition industry sectors. "This report offers exhibitors an invaluable tool to determine whether their marketing expenditures, objectives for exhibiting and success metrics align with industry norms," said CEIR President and CEO Brian Casey, CEM. He added, "The results of this study affirm the enduring… more
Mar 11, 2015
Going to ExhibitorLive, the annual gathering of trade show and event industry pros and rebranded from EXHIBITOR, is like going to a candy shop. With so much talent, ingenuity and innovation on display, it’s easy to remember why you fell in love with trade shows in the first place and stayed with them even after swearing off them more than once. This year was no exception. Though the industry as a whole has been showing only modest growth since the recession and the spending sprees of mid 2000’s are a thing of the past, there were plenty of ideas to create meaningful engagement in the world… more
Mar 11, 2015
Natural Products Expo West 2015 saw its best year for show attendance when it recently was held at the Anaheim Convention Center, even after a vigorous re-qualification of all attendees and press. “We wanted to make sure that both the exhibitors and attendees had the best experience possible, and to improve the overall quality of the show’s engagement,” said Adam Andersen, group show director, New Hope Natural Media. “We also wanted to ensure the proper attendee would be at the show, so we heightened security that will continue to be in place in years to come.”  With attendance growth of… more
Mar 10, 2015
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) will welcome more than 7,000 participants from 65 countries June 16-19 to the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre for Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) 2015, an international event in the Asia-Pacific attractions industry. "Asian Attractions Expo 2015 is a one-stop-shop for new and expanding theme parks and attractions in the Asia-Pacific region," said IAAPA president and CEO Paul Noland. He added, "AAE is the best marketplace in the region to connect suppliers developing the next groundbreaking products and services… 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