Trade Show News

JLL Capital Markets arranged a $386 million construction loan for the development of the InterContinental Orlando, a 700-key luxury hotel on International Drive. Scheduled for delivery in 2029, the hotel will feature extensive meeting facilities and is strategically located near the Orange County Convention Center.

The international art collective teamLab has announced the opening of its first major museum in North America at OCVIBE in Anaheim. This new cultural attraction is expected to enhance the city's appeal for tourism and convention attendees.

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) hosted its 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on November 9, 2026, and the 5th Annual Women In Hospitality Leadership Statewide Conference on November 10, 2026. These events celebrate Michigan's hospitality professionals and promote leadership within the industry.

The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco are set to host a conference on November 16, 2026, to evaluate the economic impact of new technologies, including AI, to inform the Federal Reserve's policy judgments.

The 2026 INFORMS Annual Meeting at Moscone Center South is offering hotel accommodations and discounted airfares through United and Southwest Airlines, with a room block cutoff date of October 8, 2026.

City and college leaders launched Dallas BUILDS, a workforce initiative tied to the $3 billion Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion, offering free construction training and connecting residents to trade careers.

Shola Olatoye stepped down as CEO of the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC), with TJ Wenzel named interim CEO. The DDC, an independent nonprofit launched in spring 2025, directs private capital toward downtown San Francisco's recovery, including initiatives affecting the Moscone Center Corridor.

CSI Worldwide, a general service contractor and I&D company, has opened a permanent office in Detroit, citing the city's growing event infrastructure and investment around Huntington Place. The company's president noted Detroit's momentum, including the convention center's $550 million investment and new connected hotels like the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square. This move aims to provide local support for show organizers and exhibitors in Southeast Michigan.

The Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA) announced new Board, Officers, and other leadership changes for 2026–2027. Michael Kapp and Jared Scott joined the Board of Directors, elected at the Annual Meeting held in April 2026. These new leaders will begin their three-year terms at the August 2026 Board Meeting.

Hostaway Backstage - Tampa 2026, an event for the short-term rental (STR) industry, is taking place on November 9, 2026, at Armature Works. The event aims to help industry professionals boost revenue, build networks, and blueprint success strategies.

HomelabFest 2027 is scheduled for September 12-14, 2027, at the St. Charles Convention Center, located near St. Louis. The event has seen high demand for its hotel room blocks, with the Embassy Suites St. Charles almost full, leading to the addition of two more nearby hotels.

Startup World Cup, a global startup pitch competition organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, awarded its $1 million investment prize to ZymoChem at the 2026 Grand Finale. The event, which saw ZymoChem selected from over 200 regional competitions, was held on November 6 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, with the press release originating from San Jose, California.

The World Oddities Expo Philly is scheduled to take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on April 3-4, 2027. This announcement from the convention center indicates a new event coming to the city's exhibition calendar.

Coverings has opened attendee registration for its 2027 trade show, scheduled for April 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The event will offer discounted hotel rates and bring back its Coverings Cares charitable giving program, with nearly 1,000 exhibitors expected.

The Alliance for Innovation announced that the 33rd Annual Transforming Local Government (TLG) Conference, themed "Crossroads to the Future," will be held in Kansas City, MO, from April 25-28, 2027. The conference will bring together local government leaders to explore emerging challenges, discover new opportunities, and shape the future of their communities, with a host committee led by Lori Curtis Luther, City Manager of Overland Park.

The Austin Convention Center redevelopment is on track for reopening in early 2029, with the $1.6 billion project nearly doubling its rentable space to 620,000 sq. ft. and aiming to be the world's first zero-carbon-certified convention center. Additionally, Austin's AT&T Hotel and Conference Center is undergoing a $30 million refresh of its 85,000-plus square feet of meeting space, and the JW Marriott Austin recently completed a $30 million renovation of its guest rooms and meeting spaces.

The Austin Convention Center redevelopment is underway and on schedule to be completed by late 2028, with its reopening in spring 2029. The project will increase the rentable space to 620,000 square feet from its current 365,000 square feet, positioning Austin to host larger events and multiple large events simultaneously.

Kansas City's municipal council has approved the first phase of a $500 million, ten-year plan to renovate its convention center. The initial $75 million phase, scheduled for 2028, will modernize the Municipal Auditorium and Music Hall, improving stands, restrooms, food service, and accessibility. The overall project aims to create new exhibition and meeting spaces through 2036, making the facilities competitive for the next century.

Kansas City has approved Resolution No. 260960, moving forward with a $500 million vision plan to modernize the Kansas City Convention Center and Municipal Auditorium. Initial phases, funded by a voter-approved $100 million bond, will focus on restoring Bartle Hall, Municipal Auditorium, and the Music Hall to enhance competitiveness.

St. Louis Union Station has refreshed its ballroom spaces, totaling 24,300 square feet, to provide versatile settings for corporate gatherings, conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions. The historic venue aims to offer full-service support while maintaining its unique sense of place.