News

Nov 30, 2014
It was a typical busy day at the Pasadena Convention Center in October when public safety officers Zabrina Patterson and Max Pitpan heard frantic calls for help over their hand-held radios. Without hesitation, Zabrina and Max responded to where one of their co-workers was experiencing a sudden serious medical emergency.  At that moment, Patterson and Pitpan relied on their regular training they receive as part of their employment with the Pasadena Center Operating Company. The training provided them with the skills and knowledge to save a life.  The two worked in tandem to assess… more
Nov 30, 2014
In its first edition since E.J. Krause & Associates bought a majority stake in the MetroCooking DC show, it increased attendance by more than 30 percent, compared with last year’s show. “MetroCooking DC experienced significant growth this year. The addition of various programming elements and a focus on visitor experience allowed us to expand the consumer base resulting in increased attendance,” said Ned Krause, CEO, E.J. Krause & Associates. He added, “Thanks to the excellent results obtained at this year’s event, we see tremendous growth opportunity for MetroCooking DC in the future… more
Nov 30, 2014
Native advertising, popularly defined as advertising that matches the context of the content and platform on which it is displayed, has been consistently gaining approval from digital marketers. Some popular formats for native ads include: Ads shown alongside organic results on search engines Promoted posts for keyword searches on social media Recommended articles on blogs Though native advertising may seem similar to content marketing, there are some very subtle differences between the two. One likes the distinction made in this blog post: “sponsored content is designed… more
Nov 30, 2014
Native advertising, popularly defined as advertising that matches the context of the content and platform on which it is displayed, has been consistently gaining approval from digital marketers. Some popular formats for native ads include: Ads shown alongside organic results on search engines Promoted posts for keyword searches on social media Recommended articles on blogs Though native advertising may seem similar to content marketing, there are some very subtle differences between the two. One likes the distinction made in this blog post: “sponsored content is designed… more
Nov 23, 2014
With the call to action to “Go & Be” – whether it is creative, innovative or strategic – the International Association of Exhibitions & Events will kick off its Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 9-11 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We hope that attendees take away the notion that IAEE is always pushing the envelope, looking ahead to provide new and innovative ways to make your individual shows better,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois. He added, “We want our guests to have the full ‘Expo Expo Experience’, taking part in the new show features that… more
Nov 23, 2014
Held last week in Las Vegas, DEMA Show not only had a sold-out showfloor, but also saw attendance numbers trending 8 percent higher, compared with 2012, when it was last held in the city. Final attendance numbers are not yet available.  The show, held Nov. 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, spanned 145,790 net square feet with 644 companies, representing 5.6-percent growth, compared with the last show cycle. "DEMA is a great client, and they continue to bring fresh ideas that add value to their show each year," said Andrew Ortale, National Trade Productions' executive vice… more
Nov 23, 2014
For the people who already utilize Salesforce to sell sponsorships and exhibit sales, life just got a whole lot easier with the launch of ShowCycle - the first standalone CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software platform built exclusively for trade show and conference sales teams. The new product will debut at the International Association of Exhibitions & Events’ Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 9-11 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and also has been selected to be a part of the event’s New Product Showcase. "Until now, there has always been a… more
Nov 23, 2014
For the people who already utilize Salesforce to sell sponsorships and exhibit sales, life just got a whole lot easier with the launch of ShowCycle - the first standalone CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software platform built exclusively for trade show and conference sales teams. The new product will debut at the International Association of Exhibitions & Events’ Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 9-11 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and also has been selected to be a part of the event’s New Product Showcase. "Until now, there has always been a… more
Nov 19, 2014
How do attendees of the first-ever Niche EventFest get to a networking party? They have a traditional second line parade down the middle of Poydras Street in New Orleans accompanied by a brass band and a police escort. Niche EventFest, held Nov. 3-5, is the creation of Carl Landau, self-proclaimed Grand Poobah of Niche Media and believer that fun and conferences go well together. This isn’t Landau’s first rodeo though. Niche Media is the producer of Niche Media Conference, Niche Digital Conference and Niche CEO Summit. Landau said the idea for Niche EventFest came from the obvious interest in… more
Nov 18, 2014
Irving, Texas-based Hanley Wood, a multimedia company serving the residential, commercial design and construction industries, has sold its Hanley Wood Exhibitions business to Informa PLC, a U.K.-based publishing and events company that operates in more than 40 countries.  The $375 million sale is subject to customary regulatory review and is expected to close by the end of 2014. Upon the closing of the transaction, the exhibitions business will be rebranded Informa Exhibitions US and will maintain its headquarters in Irving, Texas. Rick McConnell will continue to lead the company as… 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