News

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 16, 2014
The organizers of Building Solar China – Conference and Exhibition, Messe Frankfurt and WIP, organizer of international solar conferences and exhibitions, have changed the date and location for the 2014 show. The show will be held Sept. 4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Originally scheduled for June in Guangzhou, the event will be relocated to accommodate market trends within the building and solar technology sectors in China. “Intelligent Green Building and Smart Cities are currently China’s main urban development focuses, and the mission for creating a… more
May 16, 2014
The third staging of All in CARAVANING will be held June 27-29 at the Beijing Exhibition Centre in China  and is expected to benefit from the booming RV and car sector in the country. There will be approximately 180 exhibitors, who will show their products and services on 215,200 square feet of exhibit space.   Visitors can look forward to innovations and highlights of RVs, mobile homes, base vehicles and accessories, as well as RV vacation and leisure time destinations. By expanding its exhibit range to include camping and leisure equipment and campground amenities, as well as a… more
May 16, 2014
NASDAQ-listed Global Sources released its first quarter results for the period ended March 31. Revenues were $34 million, up 10 percent, compared with $31 million recorded in the same quarter last year. However, IFRS net income in the period dropped from $5.6 million last year to $145,000 in the quarter. The Hong Kong-based company generated revenues of $21.3 million from its online business – 62 percent of total revenues. That is a drop of 15 percent from the $25.0 million recorded last year. Revenues from print business accounted for 7.5 percent of total revenues at $2.6 million, down… more
May 15, 2014
New York City is one of the global epicenters of retail and fashion and two new shows, one geared towards enhancing a company’s brand and the other serving the women’s luxury apparel market, are set to launch in the Big Apple. Emerald Expositions, through its IR Events Group division, is launching IRCE Focus: Brands & B2B May 18-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. At the show, attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers, hear from industry-leading experts who are trailblazers in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer arenas, and… more
May 14, 2014
For the fifth year in row, Trade Show News Network is holding its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program that honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland, Ohio. The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled weekend can be found below and HERE. “The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2011-2013 in attendance and net square footage,” said TSNN President and Editor-in-Chief Rachel Wimberly. She added, “We are really excited to fete… more
May 12, 2014
With confetti in the morning and burgers in the afternoon, The National Hardware Show that took place May 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center had an impressive performance and is gearing up for even more growth. Spanning 559,000 square feet, the show featured 2,675 exhibitors and attracted about 19,000 attendees. “We’re seeing growth across all segments,” said Tracy Scarfi, marketing director for Reed Exhibitions’ National Hardware Show. “Lawn and Garden continues to stay strong and now takes up the entire North Hall. Hardware is as strong as ever. Black and… more
May 12, 2014
When the International Home + Housewares Show packed up at the end of their show, held March 15-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, they encouraged their exhibitors to donate products to five local charities.   At this year’s show, 225 exhibitors took part in the donation program, a 29 percent increase, compared with donations the previous year. The charities use the products for various activities, ranging from auction items at their annual fundraising galas to merchandise in their resale shops. Charities participating in the product donation program this year were: Cystic… more
May 12, 2014
With 23 years of hospitality and tourism experience under his belt, Ronnie Burt has been tapped as the new president and CEO of the Kansas City (Mo.) Convention & Visitors Association. Burt’s most recent position was vice president of sales and marketing for Destination DC, the bureau for the Washington, D.C., market. "The search committee was pleased that an extensive search for a new president and CEO yielded numerous qualified candidates,” said Brenda Tinnen, KCCVA Chair and general manager and senior vice president of AEG/Sprint Center. She added, “Ronnie’… 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