 After what organization officials describe as a rigorous selection process, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced that Houston, Texas—and its stellar George R. Brown Convention Center—will host the 2013 edition of Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition, which will be held December 10-12. IAEE's Annual Meeting is renowned for its numerous education sessions, networking opportunities designed specifically for exhibitions and events industry professionals and extensive trade show exhibition floor, which places significant demands on city, its convention center and its Convention and Visitors Bureau staff.
The selection process for the host destination off one of the leading annual events on the calendars of meeting planners involves proposals submissions by destinations, which are then awarded points based on the following criteria: general appeal of venue, management of the sales process, center and housing package, access to air transportation, and level of support toward IAEE's commitment to its constituents. After extensive review by IAEE staff, the recommendations are presented to the IAEE board of directors for final approval.
Houston last hosted Expo! Expo! in 1988. "Because so many of our members attend Expo! Expo! partly to visit potential sites for their own events, we are excited to showcase all that Houston now offers,” said says Steven Hacker, CAE, president, IAEE. “With its unique amenities such as a world-class exhibition facility that embraces environmental sustainability, new trendy shopping pavilions, restaurants and a wide variety of entertainment venues near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston now offers an outstanding overall experience for attendees. Its two close airports, Hobby and George Bush International, offer convenient and frequent air connections across the  world."
Greg Ortale, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, agreed: "Houston is an ideal city for events and exhibitions, and I'm excited to show off our city to the delegates and the exhibitors, especially if they haven't visited lately. Our convention package has changed so much in the past decade - an expanded convention center, a 1,200-room convention hotel, new restaurant and nightlife options - and development continues between now and 2013, including 30 additional miles of light rail. I know attendees will like what they see."
Expo! Expo! gives exhibitions and events industry professionals the opportunity to come face-to-face and together learn how to increase the profit potential of their organizations' exhibitions and events, to produce more successful events, and to enhance their professional development and business partnerships. This year's Expo! Expo! will be held December 8-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. |
