I was interested in other construction going on around since posting about my look at the live cam in Irving, Texas. I found another group that is doing something similar with the Orlando Event Center in Orlando, Florida.  They too have a live cam look at the event center being built.  I really like their use of video and other information that is put together on their site which you should have a look at to keep up to date. I liked the copy that they used for the site itself:

"The new Orlando Events Center is much more than a building. It’s the start of something pretty incredible. Something that will reinvent a neighborhood and accelerate a whole city. It will hold much more than just events. It will hold memories. It will hold moments. It will hold legend."

It made me wonder why they didn’t use their team name the Orlando Magic.  Obviously, to keep the phrase going it will also contain some Magic!  The team could have lobbied for that to happen I would think with a link to their own site for a little love.  I did like the line on the site that said, "The name of the game is luxury."  I would just add that the name of the game is luxury seat sales!  Good luck to the Magic!  I am wondering what they will call that facility?  My own Nuggets play in the Pepsi Center which they call The Can.  Perhaps they will call this the Magic Hat?

Tags: Orlando, Orlando Magic, Indoor Arenas, Orange County

I have been trying to put up with the fact that it is like the North Pole here in Denver today and all the world has come to a screeching halt due to the blizzard we are dealing with here. 

It is not a normal storm we are getting but the one that we call the Blizzard of [add year here].  I can remember the 32 or so inches we received in 1982, and the march storm we received in as close to now as 2006, and today we have 2009.  I yearn for a convention that I must attend in Orlando or perhaps Miami, or even Mexico.  Any takers out there?  Feel like meeting me at your venue for a quick interview?  No really you want to?

Tags: Denver, Blizzard, Conventions, Trade Shows, Miami, Orlando

I may have made fun of this show once before, but I am impressed with the amount of work that can go into a show about asphalt.

The 2009 World of Asphalt Show & Conference and AGG1 Aggregates Forum & Expo, now being held (March 9-12) in Orlando, FL, are drawing impressive crowds and proving successful despite tough economic times:

* More than 5,500 registered attendees for the co-located shows by close of second day, March 10.
* 400 exhibitors spanning 85,900 net square feet of exhibit space at the shows to exhibit their latest technology and products (including a record number of exhibitors – up 10 percent -for World of Asphalt).
* Nearly 5,700 tickets sold for the education programs being held with the shows.

The events are taking place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

World of Asphalt and AGG1 will again co-locate in 2010, February 15-18, in Cincinnati, OH. Exhibit space sales are already underway and going well. More details will be posted on the website as available.

The combination of asphalt and aggregates was a natural fit, noted show organizers, with the industry partnership benefiting both events. The 2009 World of Asphalt experienced increased traffic, compared to the last show, with about 3,650 industry professionals in 2007. And, it was an auspicious start for the inaugural AGG1.

"The convenience and cost savings of one industry gathering place for the year made more sense than ever in this down economy, for all participants, noted Show Director Sara Truesdale Mooney.

"The mood on the show floor was cautious yet positive," she stated. "We know this is a difficult economic environment, but our attendees are looking ahead and preparing for the future. They knew they’d find the education, networking and products they need to succeed through this year and beyond to an upturn."

World of Asphalt 2009 had a record number of exhibitors – 246 taking 58,700 net square feet of exhibit space. The inaugural AGG1 show exceeded expectations with more than 154 exhibitors taking 27,200 net square feet of exhibit space. That’s a total of 400 exhibitors and 85,900 net square feet of exhibits.

"These have certainly been turbulent times, but the numbers attest to the continued industry support for and confidence in the World of Asphalt and the new AGG1," Mooney stated.

via Rich Jefferson of AEM

I was thinking about traveling to different cities today and the places that I have been and the places I will be going.  I have thought about the restaurants I have been to and some stand out as a place I have to go to again.  I will be headed to Austin soon and when in Austin, I always have to go to the Salt Lick.  Why?  Because it is great BBQ.  Better than anywhere else?  Probably no the best in the world, but definitely a great place to go while in Austin.

That made me think of the idea of a girl in every port, and of course, the rest of the brainstorming I was doing on a post here went you know where in a hand basket.  It did get me thinking about asking you the readers, what is your favorite place to eat when attending your convention or trade show?  I like Charley’s while in Orlando, I had some good Sushi at places in Seattle, Seafood in Boston, and Vegas, well everything I go to in Vegas seems to be good.  What conference do you attend and also attend because of the must have eats?

Tags: Restaurants, Food, Conventions, Trade Shows, BBQ, Orlando, Austin, SXSW

This release was sent out to me today and wanted to pass it along.

Informa Economics and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced today that Informa will collocate a Market Outlook Forum at AG CONNECT Expo 2010, the new agricultural trade show slated for January 13-15, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. AG CONNECT Expo will showcase the latest innovations, products, services and technology in all agriculture sectors and offer access to leading worldwide industry experts.

Informa Economics Inc. is a world leader in broad-based domestic and international agricultural and commodity/product market research, analysis, evaluation and consulting. It is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. In conducting a Market Outlook Forum at the AG CONNECT Expo 2010, Informa will provide its fundamental supply, demand and price analysis for major agricultural commodities.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Informa to bring a market outlook forum to the new global agriculture trade show held in North America,” said Bruce Scherr, the CEO of Informa Economics. “We believe this will be a world-class event for all attendees, and that’s why we see the growing interest in AG CONNECT Expo. We believe this trade show will be a superb context for us to host a program highlighting the value of data to farmers, ranchers and agribusiness.”

In December 2008, it was announced that Agrievolution, the Second World Summit on Agricultural Machinery involving Ministry of Agriculture representatives and equipment associations from around the world, would be held in conjunction with AG CONNECT Expo 2010 in Orlando. Two weeks ago the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) announced its endorsement of AG CONNECT Expo. FEMA represents primarily the privately-owned, specialized manufacturers of agricultural equipment.

Charlie O’Brien, AEM’s VP of Ag Services, said that Informa’s mission to be a vital force in the success of agriculture, food, energy and transportation interests around the world “dovetails perfectly with AG CONNECT Expo’s mission to be a global gathering place and forum for sharing agricultural ideas and management trends. We see great added value with the addition of Informa Economics at AG CONNECT Expo 2010.

Read the article at Agriculture Online.

I had the opportunity to sit down and speak to Renee Jain (pictured left) of ICC Rents to discuss a little about what their company does and what they offer to convention, trade show and event planners.  ICC Rents began as a family owned business as the vision of Ganpat “Jim” Jain, Renee’s father, in Chicago in 1979. The company began as a computer rental company and has exploded into one of the top rental companies in the trade show world.  What was once only servicing the Chicago area and McCormick Place, now is nationwide and services all the major conventions centers from Orlando to Las Vegas to New York and L.A.  Renee can recall the business in her father’s den when they first started and talks about the long hours it took her father, and later her brother  Raj Jain, to build this business to its current state of a 24/7 full on customer service shop servicing the nation with over 100 employees.

ICC Rents is a company that can provide all of your technology needs from a laptop for your tradeshow booth to that 103″ Plasma TV or seamless Video Wall.  They provide all the back end support as well.  Once you rent a component, you can rest assured that it will be at your show, on time, working, and will be backed by support should anything go wrong.  They have touch screen monitors, interactive kiosks and just about anything that will set your tradeshow booth apart from the competition.  They can help get you noticed on the show floor.

I asked the simple question of “why can’t I just buy a television from the local store and use it?”  She was well prepared with a response and raised many questions I had not thought of, like extension chords, cables, set up and delivery, and many other reasons why renting is a smart investment for using a company like ICC Rents to handle your needs.  Technology becomes obsolete, many pieces of equipment break down and many other reason why having a support team is important in renting the proper equipment.  There are many hidden costs that she discussed as well.  They are truly knowledgeable in the industry and have become quite trusted in more areas than just for a tradeshow.  They have corporate clients that use their services as well for onsite training and setting up meeting and events.  I could not begin to cover all the areas where they can help you with your technology needs.

In addition, and because I am serial procrastinator, this statement she said stuck in my mind:

“We are the last minute provider” ~ Renee Jain

What she meant is that many people forget about something like a required hard case for that 50″ plasma TV for their wall, or they forget that they needed a wall mount for that television or of a cable needed to make it work. When this happens they can be there immediately to cure any forgotten item or to make sure your trade show booth comes off without a hitch.  I think am going to put that number in my pocket for my future trip to Vegas in September as chances are I’ll need it.  With 24/7 service such as theirs, I can rest easy because we all know I’ll forget something.  They can help.

ICC Rents handles any type of tradeshow and not just the technical market.  Everyone is needing technology to catch attention of convention attendees and tradeshow attendees.  She mentioned the bridal industry and agricultural industries and many other areas where technology can enhance your tradeshow experience and produce more leads.

Back in March of 2008, ICC Rents was merged with Smart Source Rentals, a powerful partner that has taken their service and their ability to service trade shows and conventions to the next level.  Give ICC Rents a call for your needs, be it a computer laptop to a wall mounted television to an interactive kiosk.  Tell them Convention Insider sent you!

As I traveled to Orlando a couple of weeks ago, I could see a number of places getting a face lift. Some of the resorts and attractions were expanding and getting new themes, and now it seems as though the Orange County Convention Center is also slated for a new look and feel. Trade Show Week is reporting that the convention center is expanding by 80 acres that are adjacent to their facility. It is indicated in the report that The Peabody Orlando, the OCCC, The Hilton Orlando, Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Universal City Property Management are all working together on the project. The report goes on to state:

…the plan so far includes a 1,400-room hotel – with the brand to be announced this summer – plus attractions, entertainment, retail and a large outdoor entertainment area that will be connected via a waterway concept to create “additional venues, spaces for entertainment and show performances.” The development will be north of the OCCC’s North/South Building and connected to it by pedestrian bridges.

It’s just the latest proposed development for the area surrounding the convention center. The Hilton Orlando, which broke ground last year, will be the first hotel connected directly to the OCCC by pedestrian bridge when it opens next summer on the east side of the North/South Building.

This is a trend I think that is taking place among most of the competitive convention centers vying for that event or trade show by expanding their facilities that are giving more than just space and management of the event. The convention centers are making it more of an experience for the attendees by making it easier for hotel arrangements and also giving them exciting things to do while not attending conferences or meetings. I think they are trying to keep up with the likes of Gaylord Entertainment that has been selling this business plan from the beginning. The all-in-one experience seems to be the new idea for facilities looking to get ahead.

These photos were taken inside the Atrium at the Gaylord Palms Convention Resort in Orlando, Florida. Those large lizard types are actually alligators and they are joined in the water buy turtles. The children standing around were in awe of these creatures, and they could not wait to get in the pool later! Well, of course, I had to tell them that the alligators were in training in this water feature so when they grow up they could be in the pool! This is a great feature by the folks at Gaylord Palms. I am here at a conference and I’ll have a complete review of the facility and perhaps if I can manage an interview with the management here.

My wife has been bugging me to get her garden ready for planting.  Here in Colorado it is safe to plant your Garden on Mother’s Day and we promised we would do this as a family.  My job has been to get the soil tilled and ready for planting the various vegetables.  I woke today thinking I had a couple of hours that was not filled with conference calls that I could get to the local nursery to purchase my materials to prep the plot of dirt in the back yard.  The only problem with that intention was that as I opened the door I had a blast of cold and found that it was snowing.  It snowed most of the day.  Love that Colorado weather.  I missed that opportunity.  I was looking around the web for some information about soil preparation and found myself looking for a landscaping convention.

The Landscape Show is a large show that is scheduled this year in Florida at the Orange County Convention Center on September 25-27, 2008.  The show is very large with 250,000 square feet and 600 exhibiting companies.  Apparently they are capitalizing on the green movement itself:

Looking to make an environmental difference in your part of the world? Plants and trees are the original cleaning agents of the earth – offering oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide; absorbing pollutants, odors and noise; providing homes for wildlife and creating important beauty for quality of life and sense of community. The Landscape Show offers a diverse pallet of plants, products and services that can make a positive impact on your environment.

I think I will try again tomorrow unless we have any blizzard warnings.  Someone forgot to send the memo of global warming to the gardening gods.  In the meantime do the planet a favor and plant something.

On this day in the United States, we all rush out to get that tax return in the mail, or I guess in this day and age we rush to the computer to file it electronically over the Internet.  Like every other holiday, I try to mix in a little celebration of the day.  Today, all I could think of was death and taxes.  You know the old saw about some things being certain and of those, most prevalent are death and taxes.  This lead me to think about what convention or trade show might be out there that deals with issues of death and taxes. 

You might think a death convention might be a little morbid, and I must say the name does not stick too well with me, but how about a mortuary or other type convention or trade show?  My company has even help establish a funeral blog, so I know they must have a convention.  As you know, all industries have their own trade show and the people at the National Funeral Directors Association are no different.  The NFDA had its national convention in 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the and in 2008, the convention is scheduled in October in Orlando, Florida.

Tax professionals around the US are operating on no sleep and are drinking coffee and energy drinks to get through to midnight when the deadline arrives.  They will be happy to know that they can relax at their national convention this summer in Atlanta, Georgia.  The conference is set to take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, July 7-10, 2008.

To all of the tax professionals out there, good luck today with your deadlines.  To the rest of you out there doing your own taxes, you have a little time left if you want to procrastinate a little bit longer, say about 12 hours.