News

Feb 09, 2014
The National Association of Broadcasters was looking for a way of extending the presence of its annual NAB Show past the days on the showfloor and found the solution in IndustryTracker. ExpoBee’s IndustryTracker is a year-round news feed that includes news from all exhibitors, as well as industry blogs and publications, and the tool is also highly beneficial for attendee planning and post-show follow-up. The tool uses information provided by attendees themselves to filter out less relevant information and news items and focus on giving each individual reader information in his/her… more
Feb 07, 2014
Known and beloved by many, the trade show industry lost 50-year veteran Bob Dallmeyer after a two-month battle with throat cancer. In 1985, Bob launched a global exhibition management company – RD International – at which he consulted for hundreds of organizations, including the National Association of Music Merchants, Kallman Worldwide, AT&T, IBM and H.H. Backer & Associates, Advanstar Communications and Bartizan connect, to name a few. Bob also provided North American representation for several destinations, such as Florence, Italy; Monterrey, Mexico; Brussels, Belgium… more
Feb 06, 2014
Less than two weeks before Advanstar Global’s MAGIC Market Week kicks off at several venues around Las Vegas, two executives – Leslie Gallin and Christopher Griffin – have been upped to new positions. Gallin has been named president of Footwear, Advanstar Global (including FN PLATFORM - MAGIC- Sole Commerce -WSA- PROJECTsole NYC).  She previously was vice president. Prior to joining MAGIC, Gallin served as director of The Collections at World Shoe Association (WSA) & Sole Commerce (ENK International), where she created and managed all aspects of the Designer… more
Feb 06, 2014
As part of their recently formed joint venture, U.K.-based Tarsus Group and Bethesda, Md.-based E.J. Krause and Associates will launch the Global Education Supplies & Solutions Exhibition May 2015 at the World Trade Center in Mexico. Tarsus’ subsidiary, F&E Education, also currently produces a successful GESS event in Dubai. “GESS Dubai has already established itself as the major player in the Middle East education field ,and the new event in Mexico allows us to build on our expertise and expand into the fast-growing Mexican market,” said Douglas Emslie, group… more
Feb 06, 2014
Builders are building again was the sentiment at the new Design and Construction Week launched this year by collocating the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The two shows took over the Las Vegas Convention Center Feb. 4-6. After a devastating downturn, the construction industry is starting to come back, and it’s on a roll. The trend is directly translating into a turnaround trade show. “Finally, for the first time in five years,… more
Feb 05, 2014
The recessionary times are firmly in the rearview mirror in Las Vegas, with the most business travelers in the past five years having attended meetings and conventions in the city. According to the 2013 year-end Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s Executive Summary, Las Vegas welcomed nearly 40 million visitors in 2013 and reached a five-year high in two key indicators for the meetings and convention industry: • The meetings and convention industry reached a five-year high, with 5.1 million delegates attending a convention, trade show or meeting in 2013, reflecting a… more
Feb 04, 2014
Bringing together two in-demand sectors, the IRCE Focus: Web Design + Mobile Commerce event will run for the first time Feb. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando. Craig Dooley, senior vice president of IR Event Group, which also oversees the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, said the decision was made last year to bring two separate events serving Web design and mobile commerce together to form the new one. “We wanted to create a stronger, more compelling event for attendees,” he added. Attendees to the event can take advantage of both conference tracks, as well… more
Feb 04, 2014
The past month has been a flurry of activity with companies either beefing up their ranks or promoting from within. AMC, Inc.’s President and CEO Jeffrey L. Portman has gained another post as the company board’s vice chairperson, effective immediately. Portman has led AMC, Inc. and AmericasMart Atlanta through a period of growth unprecedented in the companies’ 54-year history, commencing with the rebranding of the former Atlanta Market Center as AmericasMart Atlanta in 1996, and continuing with expansion of its U.S. market share and global business base. FreemanXP, an… more
Feb 04, 2014
H.H. Backer Associates will cancel its pet industry-themed trade show – Total Pet Expo Spring - scheduled April 9-11 at the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center. “We simply could not get enough exhibitor support this year to allow us to produce a quality spring trade show that people have come to expect,” said Colette Fairchild, the show’s director.  H.H. Backer’s flagship event, Backer’s Total Pet Expo Fall, which is on tap Sept. 19-21 in Chicago, will continue as an annual event, she added. Exhibitors that have contracted for the spring show… more
Feb 03, 2014
Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense for President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and author of the newly-published book “Duty: Memoirs of A Secretary at War”, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Annual Convention and Trade Show on tap March 19 - 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  “AAHOA prides itself on providing information to our members as well as to our industry that is timely and relevant,” said Mehul Patel, AAHOA chairman.  “The appearance by Robert Gates… 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