News
May 07, 2014
After more than 42 years in the hospitality industry and 14-plus years at the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, its president and CEO Greg Ortale submitted his resignation May 1.
Ortale said it seemed like the right time, especially since Houston First Corp., which oversees the city's convention center and other venues and is the majority funder of the GHCVB, is in discussions to possibly absorb it.
“This was totally my decision,” he added. “The No. 1 reason I decided to step down was it seemed like the right time. The changes that are going to go on here… more
May 05, 2014
The Association of Korean Exhibition Industry (AKEI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
The signing ceremony was held at the Landmark Hotel Bangkok attended by Yang-whan Jeong (vice-chairman of AKEI), Sang-kon Kim (deputy director of MOTIE), Nopparat Maythaveekulchai (president of TCEB), Patrapee Chinachoti (president of TEA) and executives and members of TEA in Bangkok.
AKEI is the representative organization in the Korean exhibition industry with its 53 members who conduct various roles from supporting and promoting… more
May 05, 2014
The HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, billed as the largest fair of its kind in the world, and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair closed their four-day shows at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo, respectively, with more than 65,000 total buyers.
The buyers came from 151 countries and regions, with overseas buyers up by six percent, compared with last year.
Buyers from Asia, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, India and Indonesia, recorded double-digit percentage growth.
Traditional markets such as Japan, the United… more
May 05, 2014
Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. will launch a new business-to-business trade show - 1st CONSUMER IT PRODUCTS EXPO (C-PEX) - in Tokyo next spring.
This new show will be part of of Japan’s largest and Asia’s leading comprehensive IT solution trade show - Japan IT Week, providing a new platform for consumer IT related business in Japan and Asia.
C-PEX will specialize in consumer IT products (Smartphones/Tablets/Wearable Devices, PCs, and related accessories) and will be a platform to launch such products into Japan & Asia as well as finding the latest products from the region.
As… more
May 05, 2014
It’s been a roller coaster ride over at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and, with the local Carpenters’ union striking twice in the past year - most recently in the middle of a show last week - venue officials drew a line in the sand and issued an ultimatum to all six unions working in the center.
A deadline of a minute before midnight May 5 was set for the unions to sign a new “Customer Service Agreement” that would allow exhibitors to do more of their own work at the Pennsylvania CC, and two of those unions, Carpenters Local 8 and Teamsters Local… more
May 04, 2014
Medical World Americas, a unique collaboration between the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB), Germany-based Messe Duesseldorf, the Texas Medical Center and Houston First Corp., debuted this week at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Drawing more than 120 exhibitors, who came from across the U.S. and 11 countries, as well as 2,017 registered attendees from 33 states and 22 countries, the launch of the show was seen as a strong platform to grow from, according to organizers.
“The inaugural staging of Medical World Americas has set a foundation for the growth of… more
May 04, 2014
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has sold out the Asian Attractions Expo 2014 that spans more than 91,439 net square feet (8,500 net square meters), setting a new record for exhibit space at the event.
More than 5,000 attendees are expected to participate, which will take place June 17-20 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
The record-breaking trade show will feature new products and services for the amusement parks and attractions industry offered by more than 290 companies who are looking to connect with an estimated 3,500 buyers from 60… more
May 04, 2014
LinkedIn is the largest professional network with over 250 million members around the world. LinkedIn has created a platform that allows its members to connect with other like-minded professionals to promote their business interests and share and learn ideas.
Event managers can promote their brand and events on LinkedIn and target marketing efforts to their core audience. This is a great tool for sourcing prospects to attend your local or industry-related events. The key factors to successful brand and event promotion on LinkedIn for any event manager is increasing visibility and building… more
May 04, 2014
LinkedIn is the largest professional network with over 250 million members around the world. LinkedIn has created a platform that allows its members to connect with other like-minded professionals to promote their business interests and share and learn ideas.
Event managers can promote their brand and events on LinkedIn and target marketing efforts to their core audience. This is a great tool for sourcing prospects to attend your local or industry-related events. The key factors to successful brand and event promotion on LinkedIn for any event manager is increasing visibility and building… more
May 03, 2014
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its Hong Kong Houseware Fair and Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair earlier this week, with a total of 2,300 exhibitors and 46,000 buyers attending.
The concurrent events were held April 20-23at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The 29th Hong Kong Houseware Fair featured about 2,060 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions, with new exhibitors originating from Nepal, Norway, Oman and Poland. Three new zones were highlighted in this edition: Avenue of Inspiration, Creative Arts &… 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