News

Nov 24, 2013
Healthcare exhibitors are keenly aware of the timeline for implementation of the 2010 federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s Physician Payment Sunshine provisions, which require disclosure of certain payments or gifts to physicians. In the Final Rule released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Feb. 1, applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations, many who are exhibitors, are currently in the period between required payment data capture, which began Aug. 1 and initial reporting, which begins March 31. Testament to the rules… more
Nov 24, 2013
The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia chose SmithBucklin to provide full-service association management for its Chicago-based organization. "We are thrilled to gain access to SmithBucklin's unmatched resource base of people, knowledge and association solutions," said Meena S. Desai, M.D., vice president of SAMBA's board of directors. Desai added, "This partnership will allow us to continue to expand our reach, enhance patient safety and provide research and education for practitioners of ambulatory anesthesia." Founded in 1985, SAMBA's goals are to advance… more
Nov 24, 2013
The AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo won the 2013 Trade Show News Network award for having the fastest-growing attendance of all nonprofit trade shows. The award was presented during the TSNN Awards Nov. 1-3 in Reno at a Saturday night gala in front of more than 50 show organizers, as well as suppliers and guests. Kristin Gibson, vice president of J. Spargo & Associates, which produces the event and accepted the award, said before the gala evening, “All of us at J. Spargo & Associates are thrilled that the AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is being honored… more
Nov 24, 2013
Six months after Hanley Wood bought the Greenbuild Conference & Expo from the U.S. Green Building Council, the two entities have teamed up, along with Green Building Council Italia and Veronafiere, to launch Greenbuild for Europe and the Mediterranean region in 2014 in Verona, Italy. “Greenbuild for Europe and the Mediterranean region is part of the global expansion of the successful Greenbuild Conference & Expo brand,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO  and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. He added. “USGBC and Hanley Wood entered into a strategic… more
Nov 24, 2013
Officials from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, report a groundswell of positive response to Pharma EXPO 2014, which debuts in Chicago, collocated with PACK EXPO International 2014 Nov. 2–5 at McCormick Place. Pharma EXPO is a joint venture between PMMI, owner and producer of PACK EXPO International, and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. “Pharma EXPO is clearly answering an industry need,” said Jim Pittas, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. He added, “The combined strength of PACK EXPO shows and ISPE will be a… more
Nov 24, 2013
Hanley Wood recently launched a new mobile app for The International Surface Event 2014. The free app now is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry users and is sponsored by FCA Network. The International Surface Event will take place Jan 27-30 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event is a combination of three trade shows: SURFACES, StonExpo, and TileExpo. The new mobile app covers all three shows and can be found by searching International Surface Event in the Apple App Store, Google Play or BlackBerry World. “The Event mobile app is designed to make… more
Nov 24, 2013
Do you use Facebook Insights to measure the increase in your social media reach and engagement? There is an abundance of information and analyses that can be gathered from Facebook Insights.  At a high level you can see how your Page Likes, Post Reach, and Engagement are performing week over week.  Then you can drill down further under each of these umbrellas to analyze what types of posts generate the most activity, by whom, and when. Today, I’d like to highlight two tools that may get overlooked and are really useful.  These two pieces of data can be found under the… more
Nov 24, 2013
Do you use Facebook Insights to measure the increase in your social media reach and engagement? There is an abundance of information and analyses that can be gathered from Facebook Insights.  At a high level you can see how your Page Likes, Post Reach, and Engagement are performing week over week.  Then you can drill down further under each of these umbrellas to analyze what types of posts generate the most activity, by whom, and when. Today, I’d like to highlight two tools that may get overlooked and are really useful.  These two pieces of data can be found under the… more
Nov 24, 2013
Hanley Wood recently launched a new mobile app for The International Surface Event 2014. The free app now is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry users and is sponsored by FCA Network. The International Surface Event will take place Jan 27-30 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event is a combination of three trade shows: SURFACES, StonExpo, and TileExpo. The new mobile app covers all three shows and can be found by searching International Surface Event in the Apple App Store, Google Play or BlackBerry World. “The Event mobile app is designed to make… more
Nov 21, 2013
Event technology and audiovisual company PSAV has made two big deals recently. In the first one, the company has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Goldman Sachs from its current private equity owner Kelso & Company. The second deal involves PSAV purchasing Visual Aids Electronics, with plans to merge it under the PSAV banner. “This is truly an exciting time for our organization,” said Mike McIlwain, president and CEO of PSAV. He added, “This investment by Goldman Sachs is a vote of confidence in our team members and our commitment to… 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