By Matt Alderton

Virtual events continue to grow in popularity among marketers, according to virtual events provider ON24, which cites a May 2013 study by Forrester Research showing that nearly half (47 percent) of B-to-B marketers rely on virtual trade shows and events to research which technologies and services to buy.

The growth is clear, and what’s driving it is multifaceted, argues the company, which published a list of five trends that it credits with driving virtual event adoption:

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Carpenters’ Strike Resolved at Pennsylvania CC; One-year Contract Extensions Signed with Six Unions
–Trade Show News Network

Less than a day after members of Local Eight of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, who work at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, went on strike and threatened a 10,000-attendee medical meeting set to come into the center, the crisis was averted.

Union officials for all six unions that work in the building and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, which oversees it, signed one year collective bargaining agreement extensions. Continue Reading →

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In just five short weeks IAVM’s arena managers will be heading to beautiful and cool Toronto, Canada, for the 2013 Arena Management Conference (AMC). This year’s conference will take place Sept. 8-10 at the Westin Harbor Castle. AMC will be a great opportunity for attendees to tour the beautiful and diverse city of Toronto, network with other arena managers and listen to industry experts cover topics such as: ticketing and the use of social media, the unique challenges associated with live animal events, and the ever popular promoter and agent panel. We checked in with Todd Hunt, AMC Planning Committee Chair to see what he expects some of the highlights of this year’s conference will be.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s AMC conference?
The cooler temps!  Canada has to be cooler than Mississippi in September, right? Seriously, the city of Toronto is a fabulous setting for this year’s meeting.

How do you think Toronto will influence the conference?
We’ll certainly have more of a Canadian feel to this year’s meeting, eh. We’re adding Canadian experts in safety, security, and the concert business in addition to our traditional panelists.

What sessions do you think will provide the most animated discussions?
The promoter/agency forum is always a highlight of AMC. We’ve got a stellar lineup this year, with several major agencies and promoters confirmed. The Terry Butler Town Halls are also perennial discussion magnets.

What sessions are you personally looking forward to?
That’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite. The entire conference will be fantastic – from Tim Lieweke’s opening address to the closing party at the top of CN Tower.

What one thing do you hope to take home with you after the conference?
Other than maple syrup? It’s hard to pick just one takeaway but for me it would be a larger network of peers to reach out to in the future when those inevitable “interesting” challenges arise.

Early Bird Registration for AMC closes this Friday, August 9.
Register Today!

VenueConnect Conference Brings Together Venue Managers, Ticketing Companies and More in New Orleans
–Billboard

The mood has been generally upbeat at VenueConnect — the 88th annual conference and trade show for the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) — which is running July 27-30 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The conference, which attracts those in the business of public assembly and executives from convention centers, arenas, performing arts centers, civic centers, theaters, etc., was well attended (though trade show exhibitors were down), most noticeably among ticketing companies.

See also: BOK Center Manager John Bolton Named Chairman of International Board
And: If You Weren’t In New Orleans, Here’s What You Missed Continue Reading →